Both of my parents are fiercely patriotic and politically active. My dad has always been a Republican, but my mom was a Democrat until she switched parties when Ronald Reagan was President. As you might imagine, our home was full of lively political discussions, and my siblings and I have always been acutely aware of how lucky we are for our freedoms and how blessed we are to live in the United States of America. We also learned to listen to and consider others’ points of view and opinions even when (and maybe especially when) they differ from ours. My four brothers, two sisters, and their spouses are very diverse in occupations and ideas. We love to get together and discuss the various issues facing our communities, state, and nation. We always come out of these discussions better informed. In addition, my children continue to be some of my greatest teachers. They are not afraid to challenge my thinking, and I appreciate that. I love the diversity in my associations and am always interested in hearing a different point of view.