[chrisy]

Barb,

Well poo.

Just seeing your post reminds me to remind you that we are not alone. You are not alone. You needn't apologize for anything - just lay back and feel the love and prayers coming your way.

We all need encouragement, and having to pull a new arrow out of the quiver is a scary thing. You are always such a voice of encouragement to us and it is a wonderful gift. thank you. Today, the gift you can give to us is to allow us to encourage you and lift you up.

I don't miss those cold, snowy winters too much. Of course here in California we have our own fun things - earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides.

I live in the coastal redwood area and have learned a lot about redwoods. First, they are REALLY REALLY big, they are the tallest living things on earth. They have thick bark which is not only good for garden mulch, but protects the tree from fire and infestation.

Redwoods can survive forest fires, sometimes standing and growing although completely hollowed out by the fire. In fact fire gives birth to new seedlings.

Redwoods have very shallow roots, and when one fall it sounds like an explosion and feels like an earthquake - and takes out everything in it's path. But they don't fall as often as you'd think because they intertwine roots with each other, holding each other upright through the fire and the storms.

There is a point, other than everyone should come visit me and hike through the redwoods.

We are like that redwood forest in a lot of ways. Tried by fire and made even stronger because we are always there holding each other up.

Much love
Chris

ps - I have no idea what made me say all that stuff, it just came pouring out.