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It's kind of comforting the way nearly every holiday, both

Next weekend commemorates another Memorial Day. It is the official "kickoff" to many seasons. Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the summer driving season, outdoor festival season and, of course, grilling and barbecue season. We must also remember that Memorial Day weekend holds more important meaning than the things I just mentioned.

With the recent debates surrounding immigration, it can be easy to forget that those who travel here from other countries have stories, families and beliefs that have molded them into who they are today. But Morgan Hill resident Ivano Franco Comelli has made it his goal to share the personal histories of Italian immigrants who sought their American dream on Santa Cruz's northern coast.

I had a truly memorable experience last week. For months, a group of friends had been talking about getting together for some wine tasting and food pairings, and last week, we finally found the time to make it happen. We decided to keep the group small, so there ended up being six of us. Another person had been invited but could not join us. Boy, did he miss out!

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Births

All of us have troublesome areas in our lives that need to be acknowledged and honestly dealt with, but many of us refuse to admit it. Denial is not a river in Egypt; it's a river that runs through our hearts, a delusion-producing way of thinking that robs us of freedom and power.

It's no secret that being a good mother is difficult these days because of the many impediments our society presents to this goal. But there seems to be no adequate substitute for raising children who are loving, responsible and successful.

I didn't expect to meet Abraham Lincoln last Monday night in Tracy, but there he was in the flesh – America's most beloved president. I tell you no lie. I really saw Honest Abe – complete with beard and stove-pipe hat.

Good morning, readers! During the past couple of weeks, I have written about what some of you may perceive as the usual struggles of child-rearing. But others might not understand the difference between raising natural children versus stepchildren. I mean, a kid is a kid, right?