Good Morning World, it's ... Saturday!

I read what I wrote last night regarding my grandmother's one hundredth birthday and the changes we've seen in this country during that time. Mercy me, I sure painted a bleak picture.

Don't misunderstand me. I am not going to go back and rip out the lists of where this country is going awry -- those are still problems, very real problems -- but I don't want to leave it at just that. I am not a curmudgeon; I do tend to have a bright outlook on things, and I think I'll start the morning off with some of those thoughts.

The country has taken great steps toward equality in the past century, both in racial and gender equality. We do still have a ways to go. I wish people could look past skin color and gender and ethnicity and language, but as long as people are people I'm afraid that some amount of prejudice and xenophobia will exist.

Still, continuing to strive for equality is generally a good thing, I think.

I am confident that the whole Bible study citation issue in San Diego will be resolved appropriately. Do keep your eyes on that space. The right to worship as we please is fundamental to the fabric of this nation. People of all religions should be concerned how this plays out.

I mentioned advances in medicine as being one of the bright spots. It occurred to me this morning that if I were born in a different era and have what I have, I wouldn't even be alive at my current age (forty-eight). In some sense, that's a sobering thought. But it's also cause for optimism.

I am optimistic about the youth of this country. Attending the state homeschool conference last weekend, and attending my kids' piano recital last night, I'm seeing energized young people who are talented, gifted, and on top of things.

Kids are smart, kids are caring, and kids will be able to assume the mantel of leadership when we're ready to give it to them.

There are tough issues to resolve, indeed. I think the laziness and general trend toward needing to be entertained that I see in my generation is something from which the younger generations will learn (in other words, kids, don't be like us).

As I write this, I can look out the window and see the mist rising from the dew drenched earth; a deer is walking through the orchard -- hey, stay away from my peach tree -- and the sun is shining through a deep blue dawn.

People can do stupid things at times -- even officials in San Diego County -- and all the medication I take can put me in a darkened and depressed frame of mind at times, especially late at night when I'm writing -- but no one can stop me from waking up in the morning and praising the God who created me; no one can stop me from worshiping the God who loves me; and no one can stop me from thanking him for the new day that he has placed in front of me.

Grandma, keep going. You're a role model for us, with your fighting spirit. You're a role model for us as to how we should embrace life and live it to the fullest.

You've always been there for me, Grandma.

Happy Birthday, Grandma.