It's made the world significantly smaller to have friends in Australia and New Zealand and throughout the U.K., even though we've never met (with the rare exception of Mr. Sables, on his Grand Tour last year -- a major treat). I do think the experience has made me much more aware of what's going on in the rest of the world, and to pry me loose of whatever nationalism I might have been clinging to. I've never traveled, but I feel much more like a citizen of the planet now. Still love my country and pray for her wisdom and courage, in equal measure, but also feel keenly aware of the ripples that go far beyond our borders.

ww