For those of you who celebrate, Happy Solstice, and Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.. May the light shine into your lives, as it returns to us in the new Spring that is coming. May the light enter those hearts that are at their darkest point, those who are grieving, starving, or emotionally starving, families in need, children who are hungry.

Please consider giving to your favorite charity, whether it is Doctors without Borders, Young Writers' Project, or your town's version of the Food Shelter, La Leche League International (www.lalecheleague.org).

Whatever speaks to you.

Currently, this is what speaks to my heart, in addition to the charities listed above. Dr. Rob Mandel, my classmate from Vassar, has developed the Help for Thai women who need to be educated in order to escape lives of sorrow and needless pain. Consider at least reading about his work.

http://help4thai.org/whoruns/whoruns.html.

Blessings to you and yours. May your candles burn brightly, and you have a hand to hold this day.

Kathleen in Vermont