The 8th Day of Christmas. A new dawn

"Do not be afraid!" A word of welcome and consolation.

Minnesota, Jan 1, 2024

Dear friends and fellow pilgrims,

A merry and joyous 2024 to you! May this new day of the new year welcome you tenderly with a warm embrace inviting you onto a new path.

I woke up in the dawn with a feverish child in my arms. So my first act of the new year was to get into motherly action: down the stairs to get tea and medicine. Out the door into the cold to pick some sage from the dark herb garden. The little leaves were snowed in and frozen on the stems. But still there and smelling strongly and healthy as soon as I warmed them up in my hands. Cooking tea with the fresh sage leaves, and thyme, chamomile, elderberry from the shelf, and lots of honey from the jar was an unexpected contemplative way to welcome this new year. Picking sage in the cold winter filled me with gratitude for the little things and for the pharmacy this creation provides us to sooth not only my sick child but also my worries.

And so today I saw the first light coming in not at my desk but w…