May we all be filled with hope for understanding and the willingness to do whatever is needed to build bridges.

Church of Jesus Christ President Russell M. Nelson and leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People—Derrick Johnson, Leon Russell, and Amos C. Brown—they describe how their unlikely collaborations can serve as an example of how we can open our hearts to build bonds of respect, reconciliation, and love. They mourn with those that mourn over the divisiveness in America and over the continued racism and disregard for human life...every human life.

We agree with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s statement, that “hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” It is this kind of love that inspires us to do the rigorous work of building bridges of cooperation rather than walls of segregation and alienation. We call on people everywhere to join us in a journey of understanding and overcoming. As de Tocqueville said, America is great because she is good. It is paramount that we rediscover the goodness in each and every human heart. In this spirit, there are things every one of us can do. 

                                                     ..................................................

"The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God's children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!

During the Savior's earthly mission, He constantly ministered to those who were excluded, marginalized, judged, overlooked, abused, and discounted. As His followers, can we do anything less? The answer is no! We believe in freedom, kindness, and fairness for all of God's children!"

—President Russell M. Nelson

To be part of the solution: 

1. Pray that we will all abandon attitudes of prejudice.
2. Look for ways to reach out and serve someone of a different background or race.
3. Teach children in the home to love all and to find the good in others.
4. Learn to value the differences in others.

Memorial at scene of George Floyd's death site

Reverend Al Sharpton delivers an address at the Houston service for Floyd

Mourners at the funeral of George Floyd

On the Stanford University "Oval" black students are honored with photos and names.

As with other schools and universities throughout the country, most students were sent home in March from this beautiful campus, though many 2020 graduates have donned caps and gowns to have their photos taken.

What is our future?

And if we’ve learned anything about 2020 so far, it’s to expect the unexpected.

So much has changed in the past few months. Three months ago, more than a hundred thousand Americans had not yet died of the corona virus. Two months ago, there were 18 million more jobs. A month ago, an outpouring of rage over racism was not roiling the country. Many of those on the move: refugees, asylum seekers, migrants are the hardest hit by the pandemic. How can anything so pretty as the Corona virus be so lethal? Looks can be deceiving!  We are all waiting for a vaccine. What is your story of isolating together with just your immediate household? What have you learned about yourself? Write it up for posterity! Who will forget 2020? I finally joined the effort to make masks. These 60+ for farm workers who labor in the heat and sun to provide our food. In Santa Clara County we are still wearing masks and keeping our social distance. Free tests are now available to all. When current events are overwhelming and so uncertain, we can look into the sky .... I enjoyed seeing this amazing line-up of three heavenly bodies....and appreciate the "insignificance of man amidst the magnificence of many spectacular celestial phenomena... Have a look! And have hope! Through adversity there are always lessons to be learned if we are willing to learn.

And if we’ve learned anything about 2020 so far, it’s to expect the unexpected.

So much has changed in the past few months. Three months ago, more than a hundred thousand Americans had not yet died of the corona virus. Two months ago, there were 18 million more jobs. A month ago, an outpouring of rage over racism was not roiling the country.

Many of those on the move: refugees, asylum seekers, migrants are the hardest hit by the pandemic.


How can anything so pretty as the Corona virus be so lethal? Looks can be deceiving! 
We are all waiting for a vaccine.
What is your story of isolating together with just your immediate household? What have you learned about yourself? Write it up for posterity! Who will forget 2020?

I finally joined the effort to make masks. These 60+ for farm workers who labor in the heat and sun to provide our food. In Santa Clara County we are still wearing masks and keeping our social distance. Free tests are now available to all.





When current events are overwhelming and so uncertain, we can look into the sky .... I enjoyed seeing this amazing line-up of three heavenly bodies....and appreciate the "insignificance of man amidst the magnificence of many spectacular celestial phenomena... Have a look! And have hope! Through adversity there are always lessons to be learned if we are willing to learn.

And Happy Father's Day this Sunday! We can honor our forefathers, current fathers, and all the men who currently provide essential services, are positive role models, and all who show kindness, compassion and strength at this time which calls for understanding, patience, cooperation.

Father’s Day Gains Momentum

Several other people across the nation had similar ideas throughout the years, but Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd is credited for being the one to popularize it, starting events that led to Father’s Day becoming a U.S. national holiday. Her story began as she sat listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Mrs. Dodd thought that it might be nice to honor fathers as well. Her father, William Smart, had raised his SIX children alone on his farm in Washington after his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.

I am grateful to see my sons and sons-in-law raising the next generation, lovingly and wisely involved in their lives. My 17 grandchildren are blessed with great dads!