I'll Gladly Stand Up

So tonight was Emma's third grade class play. It was all about America and the freedoms we enjoy. More specifically it honored the Veterans who have fought for this great nation. Never in my life could I have imagined that I would fight back tears of pride on this night. I was so proud of Emma, and to also be an American.

America is such a great place. There is nowhere else in the world that someone can freely express their opinions and how they feel. And although people will always disagree, it is our right to disagree with each other.

One thing that was truly amazing to me tonight was the sight and sounds of 1st generation Americans singing the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. Here were 8 & 9 year olds from all different backgrounds singing in perfect unison. They had nothing but pride for their country.

Thanks Emma for having such good friends, and for being a good example for us all. I love you.

Free Shoes

I remember hearing a story years ago about the Dalai Lama. If I remember correctly he was getting on a subway train in New York City. As he was getting on the train, one of his shoes fell off and landed on the tracks below. Before the doors of the train closed, he quickly removed the other shoe from his foot and tossed it down to the tracks as well. Shortly thereafter, someone near him on the train asked why he took his other shoe off and threw it down below the train. He replied, what good is one shoe to me and one shoe to someone else. Whoever retrieved the first shoe, might as well have a pair.

I have thought of that story quite often over the past few years, and wondered if I would be willing to toss the second shoe below. I can admit that I probably would have gotten upset and then walked the remainder of the day with only one shoe on.

Maybe I'll go barefoot tomorrow...................................then again, maybe not.