I’ve gotten off to a terrible start. Not only have I not done many new things—I’m still in the same rut—but I have not even done the old things I promised I would do, like write my blog every day. Not that I haven’t been busy, though. I had a book launch party and what fun it was. I felt so supported by my writing friends. So I guess that was a new thing. I’ve never published or launched a book before. Also, I finished my Christmas cards and letters before the last day of Christmas, which is tomorrow. Some years I don’t get that done before Ash Wednesday. I’ve also committed to walk, jog or run at least two miles every day—and so far, I’ve done it! That’s not new for me but it has been a long time since I have run every day. So I guess if I take a moment to stop and reflect on what’s going on in my life, I see that new things are happening. Tomorrow I go to work in the soup kitchen.

A friend’s response to my last blog really made me stop and think. She talked about how hard it is to be in the asking line rather than the giving line. But life’s circumstances put us all in that position at some time, in one way or another. And I, for one, am extremely averse to asking for help. But we all need others, don’t we? This morning a grandmother at church was distraught over the death of her grandson. Her devastation was heart wrenching. In her desperation she cried for help and comfort which all of us tried to give. Sometimes you just can’t do it alone.

Thousand Island Lake, JMT