Harry Potter at last

Well, I finished HP 7 Saturday morning about 9:30 am. It was as wonderful as I hoped it would be. Through dangerous obstacles and the final battle with Lord Voldemort's forces of evil, the three friends held that marvelous bond of love that was Harry's gift of life from his mother.

Rowling's overall theme of love, beginning with Harry's mother's love saving his life creates many wonderful ways to use these fascinating and most read books of the last decade and perhaps last century, to encourage values in young people.

For single adults and parents who have the idea that these are magic books for children, I dare you to read one and look again. There is much more than magic at play in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And much to be learned and shared from the magic of books that have children and adults reading not just articles or brief stories, but huge volumes of continuing stories that are not available on film until years after the book comes out. And while many did wait for the movie, the books continue to be read again and again by new people who discover the "magic" that gives hope in the eternal battles of good and evil.

As Dumbledore told Harry in the first book, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.". Look to find the wisdom of Dumbledore quoted in years to come as part of everyday life.