Proud To Be An American

In all my 29 years I can't recall a time in my life when our country had as many issues that we face and yet still be optimistic because change is coming. I have to admit that Obama has captured my attention and I am excited for what he is doing. His speech today was captivating, the benediction was heart warming, and I as a citizen of this great nation am ready to roll up my sleeves and become part of the solution rather than complaining about it. We live in the greatest nation in the world, with the brightest minds, the best ideas, the environment to make our dreams a reality, and now - nothing standing in our way. Let's unite and get behind our President, for we face grave threats and it will take all of us to work together for change to truly happen.

As Dr. Lowery so eloquently put it today -

"And in the joy of a new beginning - we ask you to help us work for that day"
When black will not be asked to get back
When brown can stick around
When yella will be mella
When the red man can get ahead man
and when White would embrace what is right

Let all those who do justice and love mercy say AMEN

SAY AMEN

GOD SPEED

When it's Family....New Years 2009

Click here for Pictures of our trip

We rang in the new year in the rugged location of Birch Bay in northern Washington with the Thorne side of the family. We spent a cozy weekend together with my brother Matt, his wife Krista, and their two spirited, and beautiful daughters Avaya and Alivya. The weekend began on New Years Eve...it was the first time my brother and I had spent New Years together since we were in college. It is funny how this time around I had to take a power nap in order to make it to midnight , and both of us were calming fussy children in between sips of champagne.
There are many memories I will treasure from this weekend....our dinnertimes, frigid walks on the beach, watching the Polar Bear dive from the comfort of our cars on New Year day, and watching my nieces in their fascination and exploration of everything around them. The memory I will treasure most, we don't have pictures of... our late night game of Texas hold-em on New Years Day when the chips were down and everyone around the table stepped out of their shells. In the background of this game was a song titled "family" by Dolly Parton ....a song my mom sent to make the moment special. Even in her absence, my mom has a way of elevating an ordinary event into something extraoridinary. Thank you mom. Here are the lyrics to that song...Here's to FAMILY in 2009,

When its family, you forgive them for they know not what they do
When its family, you accept them, cause you have no choice but to
When its family, theyre a mirror of the worst and best in you
And they always put you to the test
And you always try to do your best
And just pray for God to do the rest, when its family
Some are preachers, some are gay
Some are addicts, drunks and strays
But not a one is turned away, when its family
Some are lucky, others aint
Some are fighters, others faint
Winners, losers, sinners, saints, its all family

And when its family you trust them and your hearts an open door
When its family, you tolerate what youd kill others for
When its family, you love and hate and take, then give some more
Somehow you justify mistakes, try to find some better way
To solve the problems day to day, in the family

You take the trouble as it comes and love them more than anyone
Good or bad or indifferent, its still family
You choose your lovers, you pick your friends
Not the family that you're in, nah
Theyll be with you til the end, cause its family

And when its family, you forgive them for they know not what they do
When its family, theyre a mirror of the worst and best in you
When its family, when its family
Let me be all that I should be to the family