I often joke that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer one gets to the end, the faster it goes.

We have little control over the speed or what happens to each of us in a given calendar year. There is a succinct Yiddish saying, “A mentsh tracht un Got lacht”, translated, “Man plans and God laughs”.

In 2019 I personally experienced complete healing after emergency wrist surgery. I’m back to all my activities and sports. Two friends had successful organ transplants, one a heart and the other a lung. Both have returned to playing golf, enjoying quality time with friends and family and looking forward to a fuller life than each had had in the last few years. Many friends have celebrated life cycle events like births, weddings and graduations. And some have suffered from illness and heart breaking news. I continue to facilitate workshops for lay and professionals related to grief and healing. For all the challenges, disappointments and successes I am grateful. For the gift of awareness and reflection I am grateful.

2019 What will be? I cannot see, for a fortune teller I am not; I am only me.

There will be challenges, I’m fully aware - There will be joys to celebrate and I hope to be there.

Whatever comes my way, it’s courage and gratitude for which I pray

And after a nights rest to experience the gift of another day.

-Harriet