So, we had all of the relatives over for Mother's Day today. Our house resembled many homes across our nation; too much food was available and too much was eaten, kids were perpetually running in and out and in and out......., and the occasional political observation was made. My mother-in-law, offered that Massachusetts, where she resides, had become the laughingstock of the nation due to the fact that same sex couples will be allowed to marry there in a few weeks. My mom died two years ago but she raised me well, and I responded just as she would have. Mom was also a Mass. resident and  would have been so proud to see her state show leadership on this basic civil rights issue. During WWII, while in nurses training in the deep South for the Women's Army Corps, mom saw first-hand the bigotry faced by her fellow black nurses. It chilled her to the bone. Over the years she railed at the injustices faced by minorities, women, homosexuals, and anyone else on the margins of society. Mom was with me today, and she'll be with me in the future whenever bigots opine in my presence. Thanks, Mom, you were the best!

Peter T.