Dear Ones, Once again, this year has been a year of endings and a year of beginnings. As I am challenged to maintain an open heart and mind about the present and future of our planet and human life, I find the conversations within our meditation group to be helpful. How do I/we celebrate life and it's gifts available to us AND share the grief of peoples/creatures of our world who live in fear, terror and starvation? Several years ago I discovered a poem by Thich Nhat Hahn that spoke to me then and continues to speak as his words return to my thoughts. It speaks to the dilemma that I feel daily... holding images of the whole of existence. My own poetry writing is at a plateau at this moment and so I choose to share words from a mentor and friend. Please see the attached poem, PLEASE CALL ME BY MY TRUE NAMES. It has been two years since Fred's passing from his earthly life to journey-on in whatever form beautiful energy can be found. Our family and friends continue to share memories of Fred - often laughing, making jokes and shedding tears as we tell stories, singing one of his favorite songs, looking at his photos .... my 7 year old neighbor Alex asked me the other day if he could see some photos of Grandpa Fred who is a vibrant presence in our lives; in the lives of young and old. Our community, my beloved community of Songaia is so present in my life. We are in the midst of creating a larger neighborhood that includes 2 other communities whose properties are adjacent to ours, in fact they include some of the original Songaia members who have moved and opened the doors for new members on the original property. The garden was incredibly beautiful this past summer with the creative guidance of Patricia Newkirk as garden manager along with our own community Biogaians, many volunteers and our first 3 garden interns. Our new web site in process can be seen ... www.songaia.com Fred's and my whole family gathered this afternoon with the exception of our oldest grand daughter, Ilaria ( Bob and Nina's daughter) who is in Scotland with her significant other, Nico. They will be back in Seattle in January for a few months. I always look forward to our holiday time together, each family; Bob, Ann, Noah (19), Noah's girlfriend Carla and Mason (17) who live in Seattle; Bruce, Nancy, Rachel, Ella and Martha from Vancouver, BC; Sandra, Paul, Alex and Matthew Krause from Redmond, WA. We shared a jointly prepared meal on Christmas evening, all attended the movie of Les Miserables on the day after Christmas - this was a highlight of our time together. Wanting another opportunity to be together before scattering once again, we shared a meal on Friday and concluded the evening choosing our animal totems for the year. Mine was the hummingbird - A GIFT OF JOY. Choosing the animal cards have been a practice of our family over the years - it allows our gratitude to go beyond the human realm into the circle of the whole EARTH COMMUNITY. Reconnecting with old friends has been part of my spiritual practice this year. It has mostly been done through emails and letters, some phone calls and visits. Sharing experiences with those of my age along with those my children's ages has added to my sense of gratitude for the part they have played in my life. Reaching out to families of those with ALS and /or other illnesses and limitations is also a part of my spiritual practice. I hope this message finds you in a place of wellness and healing. May the new year be one of care for the planet and each other within the earth community. With love, Nancy