Oh what a week!

This past week I felt the joy! 🎉 This past week was a good one, and this is why:

First, the weather took a break from all the heat. For August, often the hottest month of the year, we had a nice little dip in temps. The 80’s felt almost cool! After heat and humidity for weeks it was quite lovely. The mornings even felt ‘brisk’ with a start to the day in 60’s.

I spent 3 days with my granddaughters and their mama and that always gives me joy! 🩷 🩷 There is nothing better in the world than to see those little smiles, and to hear “come play with me Mimi!” I am so blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with all four of my grands. 💙 💙 I definitely don’t take it for granted and I know the days are precious when they are small. They don’t stay that way for long.

A couple of fun moments from this past week with the girls: The 5 month old has gotten smiley now, and out of the blue she did a little giggle! It took me by surprise – and it was a wonderful sound! She is rolling around now and has a new fascination with her toes! Her big sister, Miss Independent, amazes me with her skills. She wants to do things herself! All the time! She puts on her own socks and s hoes. She wants to open things. She wants to cut her food. She tries hard and sometimes she gets frustrated if she can’t complete a task. 3 year olds can be quite emotional! 🤣 😢 😀 Ha! My favorite thing right now is that she and I sleep together in her big bed. She has an earlier bedtime than me (ha) so I sneak in quietly a few hours after she is asleep. I try to be as still as possible, but sometimes she opens her eyes and sees me! And she reaches out and touches me. In the morning we talk in bed, and she checks the window to see if it is daylight because then we can go downstairs and play. And we do!! ☀️

And if that wasn’t enough for a joyful week….

It was also the Democratic National Convention four nights in a row!

I have been watching conventions from the time I was a young girl. I remember watching them on a black & white TV with my mother. Back then there were only 3 networks and of course there was no social media, so the conventions were when we really got to see the candidates and their families. The roll call vote was important because there were no computers. It was when the candidate truly became the nominee. Now it’s more ceremonial. The Democratic roll call at this convention was a huge celebration! 🎉 I have never seen anything like it! And, because I love music so much, I was awed with how the DJ on the stage segwayed to music that was connected with each state. 🎶 🎶 The music brought everyone to a joyful level!

There were certainly somber moments, like when couples affected by infertility, or had to deal with problem pregnancies spoke. And the mothers forever changed from senseless gun deaths of their children. The brother of one of the police officers who lost his life on January 6th. And the Central Park young men who were wrongly accused.

But, even then the feeling of a shared community was strong. Everyone in the arena, and watching at home, felt the pain together.

But the joyful moments came too! 🎉 Some planned. Some unexpected. Many of the speakers, Dems and Republicans, expressed the hope for the future. “We can do it!” The renewed belief that decency can win! 🗳️

Gus Walz standing and shouting “That’’s my dad!” 😊

Common, Lil ‘John, The Chicks, John Legend! 🎶

And, Steve Kerr and Steph Curry – brave to speak out! 🏀

Barack and Michelle Obama!!! ❤️

So many wonderful speakers. Each night brought words of hope for our future, and the feeling that with a unified force we can make changes – if we DO SOMETHING!

One thing that was stressed from speakers during the convention is that Trump and the Republicans would push back, continue to lie, use demeaning names, and continue with rhetoric that promotes fear in their party by calling the Democrats the problem. And, they certainly have gone right back to it. (Not they ever stopped.)

Here’s the thing: a “can do” attitude is SO important. The belief in doing it. The belief in working for a positive change for everyone – it’s joyful! The belief comes first. Then comes the work…. And doing right for and by everybody is joyful!! Having good values and morals brings respect. With it the issues of the country can then move forward, with proper debate and compromise. Not with ego. To do right becomes contagious. That is the Democratic Party right now.

💙 🗳️ 💙