Watching the Democratic National Convention was a homecoming of sorts. I imagine most gathered around to hear the Obama administration have its say. There was lots of passion, a coming together of the powerful and disenfranchised.

Love is in the air. Americans are getting fired up. But will we storm the Bastille?

In times of trouble, true character emerges, and people also fall in love. In politics’ shining moments, there are lots of flags waving and lots of family photo ops. The family emerges, again, as the thumbprint of the nation.

To have our leader model a healthy, loving family environment is affirmation, instruction, therapy. It does seem like we need this more than ever. Today’s world is a scary place. I have avoided this admission because I thought maybe I was just too old, but I still think it’s scary. Technology has created this oh so close, but miles apart culture. So, I say, “Cheers!” to keeping things warm and fuzzy.

I think tough times have reminded us to be patient with one another. People are literally losing their lives to stress, and not just from heart attacks; many have become victims of someone else’s mental breaking down.

I like the notion of choosing love. I see people all around me who are building families; they are doing it gracefully and with joy.

Seeing President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle together is a beautiful thing to witness. There is a joinedness to them that an old married couple will recognize and that the unattached can sense is true.