And I got to see for a very long time, until her passing, the tenderness that he felt for his grandmother and how grateful he was that long after she should have retired, she was still waking up every morning to catch that bus to her job at the bank, doing everything she could to support their family.

WHITEHOUSE: Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Parliament, albeit rowdily and unevenly, has resumed its functions, passing a budget for the first time in five years and debating long-festering issues, such as the legal status of Lebanon's 250, 000 Palestinian refugees, hitherto shamefully barred from owning property or practising many professions.

ECONOMIST: Resilient Lebanon

Another big week is in the books for Wall Street, and many believe the current rally has gotten long in the tooth with the Dow Jones industrial average passing the 14, 000 mark for the first time since October 2007.

FORBES: Markets Rewind: Bulls On Parade As Dow Roars Back To 14,000 - Forbes

He said the bill was a "long time coming, " and said he was pleased that the House of Representatives and Senate acted "swiftly" in passing it.

CNN: Obama welcomes bill to regulate tobacco

Filming their reunion in a pair of stupendous, deeply moving long takes (one running nearly ten minutes), Dreyer sublimates their pleasure and pain in the eternal anguish of time passing and death approaching.

NEWYORKER: Gertrud