Racism. I was born in the '50s. As a kid, we told and laughed at racist, sexist, ethnic jokes. As I aged and matured, I changed. It is likely that I still have a ways to go, but don't perceive what more I need to change. Yet.

We judge ourselves on what we intend to do. Others judge us on what we have done. Some can't forgive. They trap us in who we were. They can't believe that people change. Others believe people can grow and change. That people can become wiser parents, more accepting friends.

I can't say that I've never been sexist or racist or ageist or ethnocentric. I hope I am a better person than I was 10 or 20 or 50 years ago. I hope I give other people room to be better people today than they once were.

I am sure I have hurt people. I know people have hurt me. No one can undo that. We can't demand forgiveness, but we can give it. To your school bully or teacher or 'friend' who belittled you.

I hope people who have known me over the years have seen me change. I hope you think I am a better person than I once was. I think we all want to get wiser as we age. Don't we?