For several years, my volunteerism with the Temecula Sister City Association was almost a full-time job and I loved it. When I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Washington, DC, as a representative, I jumped at the chance.

I connected with my friend, Ginny, who I met at a previous conference I attended in Ft. Worth, TX. This was the 50th Anniversary of Sister Cities International*. Wow.
It was an opportunity, honor really, for me to learn, share and be a part of something that I believe is incredibly important. The basis for this organization is to bring peace- person to person. It's hard to hate someone who is your friend.
One of the most moving activities was a panel with mayors from Palestine and Israel, sitting side by side, calling each other friend. It gave me goosebumps.
I am 100% supportive of these relationships. In addition to seminars, lectures and presentations, I visited the Japanese Embassy. I also met with my Congressman, Darrell Issa, to lobby for money to expand exchanges. Can you believe it? Me a lobbyist? What an experience!
My last day was spent connecting with my big brother, Chuck, my niece, Wendy and my great niece, Bella. It was a great way to end my very busy adventure. And what a fabulous memory.

*Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International is a nonpartisan nonprofit which serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States. This network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in nearly 500 member communities with over 2,000 partnerships in more than 140 countries.