A light snow last night, and this morning, a first ski. I got out my ski boots and cross country skis. I go to the river. Charlie seems very happy as he stands with me in the snow, and I think, well, he has cross country skied these winter woods with me for thirteen years. How lucky for me that he is here and happy today. One of those days when it’s hard to know whether the skiing will be any good. Because the layer of snow is thin, and it has warmed up. So, the ice of the wetlands I’ll ski over might be too wet? But, it’s not. And I don’t go far or fast, but I do enjoy the freshness of the air. And, I get a text, and it’s sad, but expected, news. My aunt Susan, my father’s youngest sister, recently in hospice has passed away. Sigh. From my cousin, her son, we hear the news in a warm and poignant text, so I stop in the woods under the snowy trees and call him. It’s good to talk to him this way and hear how he is feeling. Today is one of my very busiest day, and I am glad for all of it. My Wednesday morning writers do an excellent job with the prompt. And then my Israeli therapist group meets and we explore one of my prompts. And then my Play Lab, and the scripts are coming along well and I have two excellent actors visit to read them. Finally, dinner, that I make. Turkey meatballs and the boy is home with this mother and we have a pleasant dinner while the rain falls heavily and warmly on the thin layer of snow that will all be gone very soon. And Melanie, she is gone today too. Ahh. So, Candles in the Rain, (Lay Down) sung with her daughters. Thank you Melanie, for all the songs, for all the joy. Thank you Aunt Susan, for all the fun, for all the love, for all the hugs, for all the concerns and interest in us. You will be missed. XO