It’s winding down the birthday and it’s been 48 years of learning. Sometimes keeping focused on such things is good. Sometimes a distraction. Can we list one thing for each year? Surely there’s a whole lot more than that we’ve learned!

So what have I learned in 48 years?

1.People don’t always stick around even after promising to.

2.Sometimes that’s a good thing.

3.When everything seems wrong the look in a dog’s eyes says you’re still awesome!

4.Not everyone is as confident as they seem but some project it better.

5.We all have doubts – the difference is how much power we give them.

6.Never underestimate the power of a kindness.

7.Never underestimate the power of a damaging word.

8.Sometimes the things we do that people remember the most we don’t remember.

9.Never pass a chance to say thank you or tell those around you ‘I love you’ – that may be the last chance.

10.No matter how old we are we always value parents.

11.A good horse on the right side and a good dog on the left helps in many situations.

12. If you’re thinking or feeling something chances are there are many others in the same place.

13.Theres always someone wanting to steal your thunder – don’t let them.

14.Popularity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

15.Sometimes the strongest words aren’t spoken at all.

16.Being ugly outside and being ugly inside carries a preference of expression.

17.An eagle in a blue sky is a sight that takes your breath away if you let it.

18. Most negative things can have a positive edge.

19.Friends are valued – no matter how good looking/popular/famous/money etc. With the right people such things don’t matter.

20. Things aren’t always what they seem. In fact usually they’re not.

21. #20 leaves room for misunderstanding.

22. Forgiveness is a choice.

23. Often we’re fortunate to not get what we deserve.

24. We all have different talents and weaknesses – focusing on the former strengthens our own weaknesses.

25. There is little better gift than a smile and a hug – and they cost nothing.

26.Friendship – and betrayal – often don’t appear in the appearance we think.

27.Both also can seem like the opposite at times.

28.The best friends are those who are there in the low times.

29.Making a difference for someone else can take surprisingly little effort.

30.Season words well – you may have to eat them tomorrow.

31.”They” (as in ‘they said’) often don’t know what “they” are talking about.

32.Repeating misinformation doesn’t make it true.

33.Neither does putting it online.

34.Sometimes a hug just makes everything better.

35.That person that irritates you – Jesus died for them too.

36.Never underestimate the power of music as a snapshot of time.

37.Volume or bigger is better isn’t always.

38.”God is great, beer is good & people are crazy…”

39.A hero seldom thinks he/she is one.

40.Ordinary people make a difference – someone is watching you in awe.

41.Many take any opportunity to discount or put you down – it doesn’t mean you have to own it.

42.That can be seen as uncaring – or otherwise negatively – you don’t have to own that either.

43.A fire warms more than the body on a cold night.

44.No one can make you feel bad without your permission.

45. Anyone can buy a dog but money don’t make the tail wag.

46.It’s true – you can’t fix stupid.

47.There’s good and bad everywhere – but sometimes it takes digging to see it.

48.It’s always too early to say goodbye to a good dog or a friend.

Here’s to a much longer list.

There were the positive comments that in electing a "black president" racism was in the past at last. When some were saying it wasn't they were criticized. When people disagree with the president, or say they didn't vote for him, it meets with "you're a racist" allegations. If racist shows preference on color then isn't it also to agree with or vote for someone based on skin color?

I am  blessed to have friends of all skin colors and, the internet being what it is, some I don't even know their skin color! Why? Because it's just not that important. It's a matter of you like someone or you don't, you agree with someone or you don't.

The arrest of a Harvard professor - who is black - by a white officer brought comments all the way to the white house that the officer "acted stupidly" while admitting the professor was a friend. We're all biased towards our friends. The charge then in a public forum of being racist - of being worse than a racist - was surprising.

What it appears is based on perception. By reports the officer showed up on a report of two men breaking in to a home. It happens somewhere every day. Criminals lie every day. Should officers not show up if the criminal is not a white male? I don't know about y'all but if someone is breaking in to my home I don't care what color he - or she - is.

In response it was challenged that if there was a black officer doing the same to a white resident I'd feel differently. My response: "If the colors were reversed, YES I would feel the same. MANY blacks also serve in law enforcement, military etc and YES they deserve the same respect for doing so! Until you're standing in an officer's shoes making those split second decisions things can turn any time. Behavior makes a difference; too many good men and women don't go home at the end of the shift because of small things that go wrong. A badge doesn't make one mortal nor does skin color. "

"But he's in his own home" is the cry. So. There was a report. Officers have to follow. I was in my own home with the dogs in their own yard and someone reported the dogs - who have not threatened anyone in any way - didn't have vaccinations as required. An officer showed up to check, looked at the paperwork, did the report and went his own way.

Too many make "racist" allegations on disagreements. Unfortunately yes it still exists on all sides. There are also many who stand up and say "it stops with me." There are friends who are black who say their parents would not let them use slang and "gangster talk" with the expectation that they make the most of the education they were given. There are many who have been subjected to the bias of judgement on color but still say "it stop with me."