Margie, the big difference in us as we age becomes the scope of things we consider important. As a young man, I thought I could, with others, change the world. Now I'm happy with tiny pieces. You're probably aware that Karen and I have been active in children's issues for 7 or 8 years. We are foster parents but also children's rights advocates and active in areas of abuse and neglect. Almost miniscule differences made within one kid are reasons to celebrate, because the cynicism of age also plays a strong tune. It's getting tougher and tougher...ya' know, I've said it privately, but I may as well throw it in here too. One of the big catch phrases over the past few years has been, "It takes an entire village to raise a child." Well........that wouldn't be true if so many in the village weren't assholes! Sorry, but it's the cynicism of reality. Ambrose Bierce said a cynic was "a Blackguard, who sees things as they are instead of how they ought to be." Want to know the worst? We work closely with primary families that have often committed the most heinous acts...and yet we often see all too well how those things came to happen. One day you realize that, there, but for grace..........

Never feel that doing little things isn't doing a lot.

catspaw