It’s crept along in recent weeks – the birds getting louder, the sun getting stronger, the green shoots emerging from the ground as it thaws – and now, at last, we have arrived at the equinox. Even though there’s surely a last snowfall or two to keep us guessing, each day from here has a bit more light, and a bit more warmth.

It’s time for tending to all that’s been bashed by the ice and the snow, repairing the frost-heaves and pruning broken limbs.

It’s time for opening the windows, stretching in the sunlight, and sowing new seeds.

Dear ones, it’s been quite a winter.

It’s been quite a year. 

Here on the brink of the new season, we have a chance to inquire beyond habit.

What needs to be tended?

What has been waiting to emerge?

*****

Friends, If you find yourself wanting to reflect on this past year, or to contemplate sunnier times to come, we hope you might consider turning to Month of Sundays, which can be found at all of your favorite booksellers. One newly vaccinated 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.