There's an excess of suffering in this country and around the globe right now, and maybe in your lives, or the lives of your friends and relatives.  It's hard, and harder still to feel powerless in the face of most of it.  I know we are all mindful of helping those in our communities in the small ways we can, and many here remind us how important loving and sharing can be to offset some of the misery.

I would like to honor some of those at the Café I know are going through hard times, especially physically, but some also financially because of it I know a few of the personal stories;  I will not tell them.  But I am asking your help in honoring them: all of these friends find the courage and strength to keep writing here, with love and caring, insight, education, and valuable criticism.  I am in awe of them; and I believe that any thoughts, prayers, good vibes, good wishes, songs, poems, and encouragement we can send them will help them heal and prosper.  They are some of the best and most wonderful Virtual People I've ever known.  :-)   Baskets of love to them all, and to all of you who need our support, but have not mentioned it.

For Rowan; for PseudoCyants, for Packerfanchick, for Synchronicity, for Strato-froggie, for Wattree, and for WWStaebler: I know we all wish you healing and renewal; thank you for all you've given us.

For all of us who are having financial hard times and haven't yet found jobs:  Our thanks; we wish you prosperity, and hope you get work soon.

 "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.  -Ben Okri, Nigerian Author

This is one of my favorite songs; Amy and Emily are made of spirit and intention, I swear. 

(I regret that I will never grow up to be either Aretha or Amy Rae... Bugger!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miqUNlX6ig8