[An update from March 26, 2022] We all grew up in a home. Most with parents who shared with us their love, emotion, beliefs, work ethic and family values. I was an only child with good parents who both worked from the time I was 8 years old. Mom was quiet and reserved. Dad was a hero – deaf since World War II, he was a Boy Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and role model for me.

My Dad inspired me to collect stamps, coins, rocks, fossils, campaign buttons, autographs, do magic tricks and such. He wanted me to go to church. Be kind. Respectful. Helpful. Trustworthy. And he was the one who would provide words of wisdom – which for me were well-needed.

One he repeated often was “Son, tell me who your friends are – and I’ll tell you who you are.”  Soooooo. . . . I tried to hang out with good guys. Fellow Boy Scouts and high school pals. Today – I am fortunate to have friends from the varied chapters of my life. What a gift.

When it comes to the international community – look at the United States — and the countries who are our “friends.” For the most part they are democracies who share a respect for life. Liberty. Freedom. And the human condition. They are good guys for the most part.

But then there’s Russia. Syria. North Korea. China. Iran. Totalitarian. Tyrannical. With governments that stifle speech and dissent. Ruled by domination and suppression. And worse. Yet these guys are “friends” with each other.  They are not good. Respectful. Helpful. Or trustworthy. Go figure. Wouldn’t it be nice if they’d lighten up a bit. So we could find some common ground in this serendipitous world — to be friends. . . . .