Today Is A Day To Honor

One of our great Americans, Martin Luther King, Jr. So much has been written about him, there is little for me to add. His life, his work, made, and continues to make, a tremendous impact on our country. Our nation is better for him having lived, for his words, his actions, and his example.

The day would not be complete without seeing the following video, one of the greatest speeches of the Twentieth Century, to be sure:



Martin Luther King, Jr., said:

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Amen to that. I can only add, may the same be true regardless of gender, sexual orientation, and physical ability.

What a great man. What a great leader, choosing love over violence. How much we can learn from him still.

If I may, while honoring a great man, I would also like to honor the victims of the tragedy in Tucson. The last victim, Gabe Zimmerman, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' aide, will have his memorial service today. From all accounts, service was a driving force behind this young man's life.

And in death, the family of Christina Taylor Green, chose life. With a tremendous act of love, they chose to have Christina's organs donated. What a gift, what compassion, that even in their suffering, they were able to look beyond themselves, knowing that Christina's senseless death could restore health, restore life, to someone in need. As someone whose mother's life was extended over 20 years by the gift of a liver, I cannot overstate what a loving, kind, gift this was to the families who will have their loved one with them longer as a result. What an act of love, what a gift.

Those lost were: Gabe Zimmerman, Judge John Roll, Christina Taylor Green, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwin Stoddard, and Dorothy Morris. Each of these people had stories that would make your heart break, some that would make you laugh. To hear their stories, you remember, once again, how different we are, yet so much the same, with great experiences, joys, and sorrows. They lived - they lived their lives. And they were all, each one of them, loved.

For the families, friends, and loved ones of all who died that day, this is for you. I hope it brings even a little comfort:



Amen, and amen...