America.  My home sweet home.  No matter how. No matter when.

I was born in Chicago.  My parents were Irish and English immigrants. We returned to England in the 1930's during the deep depression. My dual citizenship - especially during WWII in England - I wore like a badge of honor.  From the earliest thinking years; the goal was to return to my home.

Finally, came the day.  In the 1950's keeping both citizenships was not an option. And so, at age 18 in the American Embassy in Manchester, England I put my hand on the Bible, swore allegiance to the United States of  America, and renounced the Crown and all its rights. I could not imagine why my English mother was crying.

Today - new citizens do not have to renounced their current country.  They can keep allegiance to both.  And that's a good thing.

I have never regretted my decision to become an American. America and its people have filled every dream and expectation. I've tried to be as good to it as it has been to me.

Over the years I've thought often of that day in the American Embassy. I know now that If one of my children denounced their country, this country, I would not cry -- I would leap across the room and snatch the Bible. Fortunately I had unselfish parents with foresight.

So, Happy Birthday America . Long may you reign -  ready to welcome the huddled masses - young and old, rich and poor, learned and those eager to learn.  

From one you welcomed so many years ago - thank you.

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My niece recently shared a quote by Rumi that goes  back to the 13th Century.   Out beyond the ideas of right doing and wrongdoing there is a field - I'll meet you there.

So simple.  So difficult.  

It occured to me that during  times rife with discord and disagreements this field would be worth finding.  Worth visiting.  Worth meeting an adversary or friend there. 

Flash  - he was not referring to grassy fields.  He was talking about the hardest field to access - our brain.  The field where battles about who and what is

right or wrong are fought.  

Not sure I'm ready yet.  Some suggest I am a 'bit' opinionated.  Still, a brief stint in that field might help with some topics.  Wrong? Right? Meet me there?

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The day before my actual birthday this month, I received a happy email of congratulations.
 

Of course, I was pleased. A day early? My mind said...Don't rush this aging thing.
 

Still, I said to myself ... Done the right way - which I am still trying to figure out - aging has some advantages.
 

Think about discounts at certain grocery stores on certain days - providing you can remember which days and which stores.
 

People are nicer to you because they no longer see you as competition.
 

Your clothes are coming back into fashion and they still look good. At least you think so,
 

Who cares what anyone else thinks?
 

You can put your priorities at the top without apologizing. You are grateful for what used to be ordinary.
 

Most days the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The disadvantages I refuse to discuss.
 

So I'll enjoy the happy early greetings, and the 'do you remember' notes that come late.
 

Together they make any age a good age to be alive.  Enjoy.

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Yes, it is VeteranS - My bad typo.

Link for more: veteransbridgehome.org

I just enjoyed what, for  me, was a perfect weekend.
 

Saturday night I attended Veteran Bridge Home's Annual Salute.  The speaker, General Darren McDew, USAF, Retired, eloquently reminded us how sharing, caring, friendships, family, and even grief, make us stronger.
 

The audience was filled with Veterans of all ranks, all ages, all branches, all races, and all genders.  The comoraderie was contagious. We were all gathered under the same flag, for the same reason.  We were there to ensure the Military men and women, who have served our country, retain the pride and support they have earned. 
 

Those gathered did not let the team down.  My friends and I left the Salute on an exuberant high.
 

Sunday I had playtime with my 22-month old great grand twins (girl and boy).   The Playground was action packed.
 

Lots of happy whoops.  Moms and Dads on alert.
 

After playtime we went to a close-by family friendly restaurant.  Interesting how, when your offspring are part of the noisy, constantly in motion gaggle of youngsters it looks more like fun than an aggravation.
 

It was a weekend filled hope.  A glimpse at how good and generous peoople are.  Of realizing our good fortune .  And a promise , as suggested by Theodore Roosevelt ..to do the best we can, with what we have, where we are, right now.
 

Our future and how it looks and feels matters.
 

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Friends and I were talking recently, well 'bemoaning' might be a better description, about the word hate. 

We agreed with the age-old saying children are not born hating.  And we pondered - what happens to these little ones ?

Most agreed hate is learned. We each had memories of how we observed it. Mine was from growing up in England

during WWII. We had a prisoner of war camp, not too far from our home. When the prisoners were on 

outdoor breaks in the yards - locals would gather and hurl hateful insults, threats, sometimes rocks at them.

Our mother looked at us - and said - 'DO NOT EVER let me see you doing that. Each one of those young men is some 

mother's son.'  You can help them. Or you can hate them. You can't do both. A hard lesson to follow.

It's interesting that one derivation of the word hate comes from Pro-Germanic hatajan. It means to grieve or to suffer. 

Seems this meaning, which is so accurate, has lost its way.  Hate does cause grief and suffering for the hater and the hated.

Hate or help. You can't do both.

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When NIKE introduced their 'Just Do It' slogan in 1988; they featured a 80-year old marathoner. The 80-year old did not win the race.

And yet, almost four decades later, the motivation behind his 'just do it' lives on.

Obviously, we can't all be marathoners.  Still - the other day in a gathering of friends, I was reminded we can all do something.

A friend who has lost much of her mobility writes beautiful notes to and for others.  A retired executive transports individuals to appointments.  A woman

in her 80's is making that long saved-for trip to Japan.  In a variety of ways, with significant impact, the list of what each can do grew impressively.

I asked each friend - why? Their answers, in different words, translated to: It feels good to be needed.  I like to be productive.  Giving back

is important to me.  I can't afford to give much financially, but I have time and life skills to share. To whom much is given ...

As for me? Giving, no matter how small the gift, was all I ever saw.  It was part of growing up. You'll never be sorry was our message. 

Plus, the old maxim  - Thinking takes just as much energy as doing, with none of the rewards or benefits.

Just do it.

I just returned from a visit to my home in England. The occasion was my brother's 90th birthday.  It was a wonderful week for many

reasons. 

It was a weeklong celebration. Family members from 90 year olds to two-year olds

gathered to pay homage to Jim.  He loved and deserved the appreciation.

Watching how each one cared for the next; helped when help was needed; laughed

and enjoyed each other, was inspiring.  No one was 'in charge' but everyone was in

charge.  

Each day I thought,  'why can't the world be more like this?'  No one cares who gets the credit.

Someone needs help - you help. Personal priorities are set aside for the benefit

of the whole.  Everyone chips in to make sure no one is left out. What a world this would be. 

Glad I got another reminder - how fortunate we are when family ties stay strong. 

Family, of course, being the one you are born into and the one you acquire along the way.

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The Winter Olympics have inspired, excited, and left me with a feeling of awe. It wasn't who won the medals.  It was witnessing a magnificent salute to discipline, strength, comaraderie, passion - and focus on detail.  From my cozy couch I applauded, cringed when someone fell, held my breath at the upside down twists and turns.  

While glued to the televison I kept seeing a sign that said: Extraordinary is Everywhere.  And thought - How perfect  for these extraordinary Olympians.  

And today I thought  - perhaps the sign was also a reminder for each of us.  No matter where we are - there is something extraordinary happening.  Maybe it's just weeds pushing through dry concrete.  A squirrel flying from branch to branch.  With just a smidgen of focus we can see, hear, and feel the extraordinary.

Thank you Olympians. You've encouraged us to see the extra in what we thought was ordinary.

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