Early this year, I traveled to Providence, RI for the memorial mass to celebrate the life of my great Aunt Savina. My family first settled in America in Providence, and when Aunt Savina was born, 105 years ago, that migration had not yet finished. They brought their language, their wine, their food, and their Catholic faith, and Aunt Savina joined the order of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary when she was 14. She spent her life happy, and helping others be happy. If we could also have such clarity of purpose. After the service, her family and friends, many with stories--told with gestures that originated in the Old World--about her love of rollercoasters (far into her 80s, if I remember right), eating, good deals, and prayer.

Presidential Site Summit, sponsored by the White House Historical Association.

Nyumbani is an orphanage in Kenya that cares for and educates HIV+ children. It was the first of its kind, and when it began, it served as a hospice. Now, the children can grow up, and Nyumbani continues to support them. I wanted to make clear the participants' emotional reactions to the stories from Ignatius and Sr. Mary.

This reception marked the beginning of the British Isles Symposium, organized in partnership between the White House Historical Association and the British Embassy.

This is one whole day in the Life of the Patterson family, from dawn until dusk. Weddings, mitzvah's, funerals, etc. are important events to cover, but the days in between can be just as beautiful.