My dear friend, Eden, brought me a vase of paper-white narcissus. Today, the first bloom emerged.

Today, it is this very small thing that has shone light into the darkness of loss.

It is a small thing. A quiet thing. Life pushing it's way out despite the cold of winter.

How intertwined are these two things: life and death. Joy becomes sweeter because of pain. Loss gives gratitude a richer meaning.

And now, just before Christmas, I think of the Christ-child, a blossom of Hope born into a broken, violent world.

"Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, til He appeared and the soul felt its worth."