I’m a better person because I grew up reading Harry Potter. I’m not embarrassed to say this. These books shaped me and taught me valuable lessons I will never forget. It isn’t just right vs wrong. Good vs. evil. It is so much more than that. It is about doing what’s right even if no one backs you up or believes you (including your friends and family). It is about loyalty and bravery (not just the obvious kind but also those small acts of bravery we don’t always recognize). It’s about one person being able to change the world and make a difference. It’s about love. It’s about being a decent human being. As I sit here rereading the books for probably over the 10+ time I am overcome with emotion, feeling as though our world is too closely mimicking the trajectory of these novels and while I know, that in the end, it all worked out and Evil was vanquished. From my current perspective, it is not looking to be the case in our world. Hate has been rearing its head too frequently and while I do what I can to make sure love prevails, it never feels like enough. Nevertheless I persist. I continue to fight for love and decency and goodness. No matter who laughs in my face or calls me a fool. It is up to us. Always….