“Money talks” is an old saying. For years, the United States has influenced Egyptian politics with a billion-dollar military aid package. But with the recent military overthrow of Mohammed Morsi and subsequent bloodbath, the U.S. has threatened to cut off aid to Egypt.

Children, what do you know about your grandparents? Grandparents, what do you know about your grandchildren? Grandpa and Grandma can have a very special relationship with their grandchildren that will be with those young people for their entire lives. It takes special effort to stay connected in this day and age, when so many of us live so many miles apart. Even so, however much effort it may take, there are many ways to accomplish this.

When I was in sixth grade, I remember the teacher going around the room asking all the students what they wanted to be when they grew up. When it came my turn, I stood up and proudly said I wanted to be a mom and rear my children. I do not remember exactly what the teacher said. All I remember is the impression I got from her that I should "aim a little higher."

Each year, when graduation time rolls around, I think back to my graduation night at a high school in Florida. It was customary for many of the graduates to take off to the beach after the ceremony, and spend the entire night doing whatever the young, immature high school graduates wanted to do. Of course, it was not a chaperoned event. Thankfully, I had parents who made the tough decisions that were not always popular with me, or with my friends. They refused to allow me to participate in this unsupervised party. Instead, I spent my graduation evening at a local restaurant, eating ice cream sundaes with my parents and a few other friends.