Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and somehow I actually slept in and missed the march.  San Antonio has one of the largest marches in the nation, believe it or not, and it's always a great day with many fabulous speeches and actions, and I missed it this year.  I don't usually sleep well, so for me to have slept is a little weird.  I guess I must have needed it.

Speaking of MLK, I've always considered him to be one of my "heroes."  I would have liked to have known him, to have marched with him, to have sat at his feet and learned from him.  He made so much of what is happening today possible.  Without him, not only would the antiquated ideas of race be, well, antiquated, I doubt that women's rights, gay rights-all of our rights would be where they are today.  We still have a way to go, but thank goodness for Martin and others like him, who stood up when it would have been easier to sit down.

I watch my grandchildren playing, and they are still too young to even notice race or anything else that often divides adults.  I love that.  I love that they accept everyone, that they haven't learned judgment, and hope that when they do, they will use it based on action instead of race, gender, orientation or that which contributes to make each of us the persons we are.

So, Mr. King, I'm sorry I missed the march in your honor today, but I promise to keep the dream alive in my own little way.  May we all follow in your footsteps and "be the change" we envision.

Peace.

I keep thinking I'm going to get better at keeping up with this, but then life (or something) gets in the way.  I spent the night last night with Oren, so Alana could go out with some friends for the New Year.   He's a ball of energy at 1 1/2, and we had lots of fun playing, reading books and watching the ball drop in NYC.  Yes, he was still up at midnight!

Alden started walking! He's 10 months old and is determined to keep up with big brother, Asher, who loves trains and is quite the conversationalist at 2 1/2 and so very smart.  It's really great to have them close by now that they've moved back to the area.  Ryan and Vicki bought a lovely home on some acreage outside San Antonio.  Their view is beautiful.

I also had Rachel's boys over for awhile a couple of days ago.  I had gotten some painting kits- some were magnets to paint, and some were simple paint by numbers.  They sat at the dining room table and painted away, making some very cool magnets and pretty pictures to take home to Mommy, who was, of course, thrilled!  Baby Renna is talking already at 8 months. She says Mama, Dada, Up, Uhoh, and Dog very clearly.  Abram is in Kindergarten and I had him read some for me while he was over here.  All these brilliant kids!  Khalil and Aden are both amazing, too- and all so sweet.

Thanksgiving brought everyone together this year- Kristinn and the kids came in from Virginia, and all the rest of the kids and grandkids live here now.  It was one of the best Thanksgivings ever.  Sofia is much into art, and she is very talented  Gabriel is quite the comedian and very good with the younger kids.  He was a huge help.

Then for Hanukkah, everyone came over (except Kristinn and the kids who were, by then, back in Va.) to light candles, exchange gifts and eat latkes, of course.

And now it's a new year, and I'm feeling such positive change in the air.   May yours be full of love and laughter and all that is good.