Our last day in Salem, so we had us a party! Dave and Marj joined us at Ed and Marsha's for lunch with Grandma, and Ryan, Amy, Emma and Ty came later.We ate, talked, laughed, played games, and ate some more - all day!We have spent a wonderful month here with Grandma and family making many new memories and reconnecting. Tomorrow we head south again (it is getting a little chilly here).Our first stop is in Grants Pass where we will visit Guy and Geni Shields. Guy...

Eden's random act of kindness for today was to donate about 8 inches of hair for a wig. "Today I got most of my hair cut off. I have never had hair this short since I was a baby. It feels very light and weird because I'm not used to it yet. When I brush it I run out of hair before I'm finished brushing! Fortunately my cousin Amy has the same hairdo and has been very helpful. I think I might have to buy a straightner for the first time in my life! I'm pretty...

Standing in the middle of a field of flags, realizing that each one represented a life taken, or a life given, on September 11, 2001, brought the reality of the tragedy much closer to home. The cannon salute, the echo of taps, the flowers, and the names of each one killed on the flags was a beautiful tribute to the lost and a compassionate gift to the survivors. Regardless of whether I agree with the political views or actions of the country, I was honoured to ...

I don't remember anything of September, 11, 2001. I was only 3 years old. Yesterday, September 11, 2011, I was amazed at the American patriotism. There was a flag for every person who lost their life in the tragedy. I've never seen anything like it in Canada. The names of all the victims were on the Flag of Honour, and the names of all the first responders who died were on the Flag of Heros. I have read that the death of a million is a statistic, but the ...

Soldiers and veterans in uniform, cannons booming over the noise of the crowds, flowers, and the lonesome sound of taps, as two trumpets echoed each other across a field of flags. It was beautiful in a dignified and respectful way. American patriotism is different from any kind that I have ever seen displayed by Canadians. They are intensely proud. It was a new experience seeing so many people standing together in honour of those who died in the crashes of 9/...