MLK Day, Chinese New Year & Visits

Hey again

It’s that time again. MLK Jr. day.

We took our kids to the Church MLK Jr. visited when he came to Portland. Portland may not have much history when it comes to things like this, but whatever it does have, let’s celebrate.

A few years ago, we made this trip, but it was over COVID, and the wife was with our newborn in the car. I walked up to the outside (see below where the kids are standing) and someone asked me, “Can I help you?”

“Uh, yeah – maybe,” I explained, hoping to see the room where MLK Jr. had taken the photo. I showed them my phone, and they said, “Yeah, sure! It’s right in here.”

Then I looked at the photo and tried to line up my shot to show how the photographer would have seen it.

History comes to life.

(Above: the photo of MLK Jr. and the church elders, and then the same photo of the room, but in 2021.)

We let the kids see the outside (because nobody was at the church this time. We then took them over to the MLK Jr. tribute /statue they have in Portland, which is located a short distance from the church.

We were even lucky enough to see a peaceful protest that day. People walked the streets in his state and shouted about civil rights. All these things have taken center stage with the new president (nobody should be surprised by this).

Coming closer to the end of the month, we were able to see the Chinese New Year lions and dragon dance (hosted by the kids’ school). It was fun.

Arabella took Korina along as well (that’s the person in the photo holding Ezra)

And that was mainly it.

Oh! I almost forgot.

We kidnapped my father-in-law and took him to dinner. Wanted to get some more photos and let the kids have as many memories as possible with him.

Get to know him – spend time with him—that kind of thing.

And you’ll notice I also posted a screenshot of the Gulf of Mexico. Why? Well, Google announced it would rename it to the “Gulf of America,” as Trump said it would now be known as that.

Yikes.

He is also renaming Mt. Denali in Alaska to Mt. McKinley; the maps will eventually be updated.

What can you do?

Isn’t it ridiculous to think I have a brother who just turned 48? Where has the time gone?

{[end quote]} “Returning hate for hate only multiplies hate, adding a deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

just Pray