This week I visited the ocean for the first time in a long while (thanks Matt!), and it reminded me of how lucky I was to witness my niece and newphew’s first time at the beach. 

My niece, less than two years old at the time, took one look and yelled, “Oceaaaaaaaan!” and sprinted straight for the waves.

My nephew, just a bit older, eyes big as saucers, looked up and declared, “Mama, the ocean is toooo big!”

These are the perfect reactions, of course – complete delight and complete astonishment.

Dear ones, may we experience both the joy and the awe of our world today.

*****

A PERFECT “WELCOME BACK” GIFT

Our book is already celebrating its first birthday!

If you find yourself wanting to reflect on this past year, or to contemplate better times to come, we hope you might consider turning to Month of Sundays, which can be found at all of your favorite booksellers. One friend recently mentioned that she’s bought a stack of books to gift as she begins to reconnect with loved ones who have been apart, as a way to say, “welcome back.”

Thank you to those who have supported this endeavor to date, where proceeds have allowed us to give more generously than usual to some of the most vital nonprofits around.  We designed the book to be evergreen, and hope it will bring comfort and connection through times of ease and times of challenge alike.