Dear Elsie,

You asked how I am doing.  I thought and thought about how to answer your question.  The image of a willow tree came to mind.

My life has been like a willow tree that has many branches.   These branches are very beautiful but a few have been damaged over the years.  Also on my leeward side of the ground that I am planted in,  have sprung two beautiful saplings (Lucas and Maya).    I have spent my life reaching deep into the ground to give my branches nourishment.  I have bent into the wind so that my branches will be able to stay attached and thrive.  I stay if front of my saplings to protect them from the wind and share the nutrients that are stored in the ground that we share.  I have looked at the mighty oak with wonder and envy because it never bends into the wind but stands upright and defies it.  I have lived my life protecting and nourishing my branches.

One day I noticed after many, many years two new branches.  These branches came to be recognized as faith and creativity.  I told the branches that I didn’t have time for them.  The demands of the other branches and the saplings took all my energy.

But these new branches have been very gently persistent.  They sing a beautiful song into the wind when they rustle.  And, so, I have decided that maybe I do have time to nurture them.

And so Elsie, I have started to write again and look for God’s fingerprints each day in my life.

Wishing you, my readers, time to nurture your heart.

Bernadette