I am fortunate to have attended a gala with my mother at the Rudofinum in Prague where Madeleine Albright was the keynote speaker. It was the prelude to the next day’s unveiling of the Woodrow Wilson statue at the train station in Prague. The American Friends of the Czech Republic led the way for this project. Václav Havel spoke at the unveiling. Soon afterward, President Havel died. I didn’t get to shake her hand; I was photographing my mom speaking to her.

At the gala, she spoke about her pins and her new book. A few years ago, I took my daughter to see all of those pins at the exhibit in Austin. I have read several of her books and found valuable information in each. Sometimes a person is put into one’s life unexpectedly and then repeatedly a few times more. I think these are not to be ignored.

I am grateful.