My father, till he died 20 months ago at 91, was a principled man. In his life, he had worked for racial reconciliation in his church, housing for low-income elderly people, and other admirable causes. He had been a scientist. But party loyalty was among his principles, and he'd grown up Republican. I knew he was no bigot, and I respected the ways he was a true conservative (unlike Trump and his minions), but ached to hear him echo the GOP talking points. We just didn't talk politics on my last few visits home; he knew he was the final holdout in a family that had otherwise sworn off that koolaid.

I probably embarrass my kids in some ways, but at least we're on the same side with regard to human values. And I hope I never get so old I can't learn new things when they're of a mind to teach me.