Characteristics.

Why does it seem that at a time when families come together -- whether it be for a funeral, a wedding, a graduation, even a family reunion -- that the characteristics of people's personalities come out to the extreme? Both the good and the in-development qualities and characteristics?

One trait/belief I picked up from my father is calmness, being able to see many sides of a situation before making a decision, not getting upset at what other people do since the only "doer" you can control is yourself -- and maybe your kids when they're minors.

I don't know if any of you have read Terry McMillan's novel, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, but I think it's such a realistic portrayal of contemporary black families in the U.S., and I thought of the book a lot -- among other things -- while hosting a number of family and friend visitors.

Anyway, still in Michigan and Indiana. Interesting places compared to L.A. Will be going back there at the end of the week.

Take care.
fs