Monday, January 19, 2009

Martin Luther King Day

Hello and happy Martin Luther King Day!
I just want to say a few words about that....I have visited his burial site in Atlanta and also seen the location of his untimely death at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, and both were very powerful experiences. I was lucky enough to be alive, though a very young child, when he was working in the world, although I really didn't understand racism at that time. I think that while he would be so proud to see an African-American take the highest job in the land, he would also be very sad to know the amount of discrimination and racism that still flourishes in America today. If you live in an area where this does not exist, then good for you, but I am very sorry to say that I have seen examples of terrible hatred first-hand more than once while touring through the country. It is shocking to believe that these kinds of behaviors still exist today but they do! Each and every American must vow to work toward ending hatred, violence and racism. We have come a long way in electing a President who is an African American, but there is still so much more to do.
In some of my assemblies I teach children to treat one another the way they want to be treated...THE GOLDEN RULE we all learned as children. We must continue to teach our children not to hate others. Nothing is sadder than bringing up children in an atmosphere of hatred. Let's use the occasion of our new President's inauguration to really live the GOLDEN RULE. Wouldn't it be a happier world if we all did?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Happy New Year!

Well, 2008 went out with a bang for me, as I suffered from a disasterous bout of food poisoning that lasted right through Christmas. The good news is, I am still hearing from wonderful people all over the world who enjoyed "The House on Christmas Street" during the holiday season! There are now 32 House on Christmas Street videos of houses all over the world playing my song! It's all very exciting, and I'm working on some big projects for the song in the new year.

On a more somber note, I was very sad to hear of the death of John Travolta's son. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, and even though I don't know them, I am keeping the family in my prayers.
I hope you do, too.