My wife and I were minding our own business in Houston, Tx, in January last year. My son in Ohio, announced in March they were having twins. Sue and I said we are moving closer. We listed our home for sale, it sold in 3 days, and we had to MOVE! So we bought a house in Southern Indiana, and moved. It is right on the Ohio River, straight across from Florence, Ky. It is beautiful here, and we are back to 4 seasons. After a year, we have the house pretty much settled for us, (still have to do the mud-room/laundry)... The twins were Born in October, a little early, but they recovered well. They are in the top 95 percentile, size and weight. At one year old they are as big as there 2 year old cousin...

So there's a story only grandparents can tell... only regret is we failed to comprehend the scale of the emotional, and physical impact on ourselves.
There were a few days we looked at each other with tears in our eyes and said what have we done?? The lesson learned? don't do this at 62... hahahaha!! ---
but we ARE ALL the BETTER for it now... :-)

Yes a great start. I challenge everyone to get outside their comfort zone, engage the youth. Not sure how my kids see it but I reach out and extend myself to their friends. Everything from hanging shelves to repairing bikes. People will listen if you show them they are important enough to give your time. It allows us to plant a seed without lecturing. If we went into each day with the purpose of doing at least one unacknowledged act of kindness for a stranger. We owe that to the people that have not had the luck of an intact loving family. Wishes and prayers are very important, along with actively being a teacher

The timing of your post is pretty interesting. I am neither a Dem. or Republican because they are playing Dodge Ball, whoever is not hit wins. I have been lecturing my mid 20 kids about getting involved in everything from politics to social issues. Our youth generally isn't as cynical and jaded about how they view the world. The fact that people opinions are posted and followed by incredibly rude comments is very unsettling. Time for everyone to take 10 minutes and reflect on a thought before responding without the crazy vitriol. Freedom of speech is a powerful right that should be conveyed with a little forethought as well as peoples responses. I will go to my death bed believing that 95% of people are good. Twitter, Facebook and Texts yikes how about a good old face to face conversation. Change isn't easy and it starts with simply treating each other with more kindness. Ramblings of a mad man