We never know what life holds for us and that's the way it should be. Sometimes we can get an idea of ​​what's in store based on our actions. If I constantly drive my car at high speed, sooner or later I can expect to be involved in an accident. I drink 2 1/2 cups of coffee every morning and I suspect that somewhere down the road in life it will come back to haunt me. I've read reports that say the exact amount of coffee is good for you, and then other reports say there are things in coffee that are bad for you. So, many decisions we make in life give us an indication of what might lie ahead. I've always tended to believe that God has mapped out our path, but I'm starting to think He leaves a lot up to us. Jerilyn and I have several people in our lives who suffer with health, and we suffer alongside them because they are such an important part of who we are. Sure, suffering is sometimes caused by our genes, but I suspect most of it is lifestyle-related, and the effects of lifestyle choices normally show up after age 40. My philosophy is "good health is a gift until you are 40, then you have to work for it". All this said, however, does not relieve us from worrying about those we love. We all know the golden rule: do unto others what you you would like it done to you.” We know why it's in the New Testament, but did you know that it was said by Confucius 500 years before it was written in the Bible? So, the belief that humanity should treat others with kindness goes back a long way (2500 years?). violence in our world today, makes us wonder if we have lost that fundamental part of us called conscience Sometimes, I think we wake up every morning, we read... half of a newspaper... I gave up working in a cavernous building below. artificial lights for most of my life. All those years my main goal was to provide a dignified life for my family, totally unaware of what I lacked in life, prisoners can go out into the daylight for a 'hour every day, to look up and see the sun and the beautiful blue sky. Looking back, I am saddened by how much I missed myself and how little I knew of how much I had missed. All of this reminds me of a quote from EB White: "People are, if anything, more susceptible to being thought foolish than to being thought unjust." This might all be silly thinking on my part. I hope so. I wonder, when we come to the end of life, do we worry about the things left undone? Sending a letter is a good way to get somewhere without moving anything but your heart…..Phyllis Theroux