Last week we took a trip to Salt Lake City to see Kiddo graduate from college! It was a beautiful day and a heartfelt ceremony. We are very proud of him and hope for a great future. It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one for him. He is sad to be done with college and not getting a job right away, but he is happy to be coming home. The move was grueling in the heat, and the 9-hour drive across Wyoming was not pleasant. But in the end, he and his friend (our inherited child for now) moved into the basement, and the essentials from the boxes are slowly being unpacked. The rest, alas, rests in the sunroom for now. David gave up his basement office for the second kiddo and moved to the workout room. (The workout room is now in the sunroom!) It’s nice having two others at dinner, and they seem to like my cooking. (I draw the line on laundry, though! They’re on their own!)

Once their rooms meet their expectations, they’ll go back to pursuing job opportunities and starting their careers. They may start by working at a grocery store or in retail for a while, but they are motivated to succeed. I believe in this new generation. In my heart, I know they will succeed and do great things, despite all the hullabaloo of the ridiculous idiot who is in the highest office in the land. (Yes, you all have to admit it!)

Twenty-Five years ago, a horrifying event happened, and even though we still mourn the loss, we persevere. Through good times and bad, good people stand up to oppression and madness and help each other. My family will always be an extended one, and I’ll help those in need whenever I can, giving what I have without asking for anything in return. When we keep helping each other, our lives are enriched and give meaning to the world around us. The future we make defines us.

So, today we revere those who tried to do the right thing to help those who needed rescuing. Today, we continue to hope that this will never happen again on our soil. Today, we can rejoice for those who survived and went on to do great things in the world. Today, we must stand together against oppression and fight for all others’ rights. I love you all and hope that life brings you happiness and love for one another.