Life is good. And full of love. And what you make of it. I have learned in recent years to take responsibility for my life. My life is not the responsibility of Republicans or Democrats. My problems are no longer the fault or responsibility of my parents. Or teachers. Or fate.  I am not responsible for the lives of other people. People are responsible for myself.

When I see the love that passes between Maria and so many living things, I feel again and again that life is what you make of it. I do not need donkeys to be happy. Or dogs. I need to find my own notion of happiness and to fight for it. In two days, my nineteenth book will come out. I am responsible for that, too. And I am reminded every day of the magic of life, in the light and color of the world and in the moments of kindness, love and generousity that are really what life in the world is about. And I am so fortunate to be able to capture a few of them.