There are so many things to say about you, where does one begin? Over the past days and weeks, voices more eloquent than mine have acknowledged your greatness and the gift you have been to this world. You will be called many things; brilliant and talented, creative and inspired, strong and compassionate, a visionary, a leader, a mentor, a friend. You lived a life of courage, joy and love – always to your own standards, your own ideals. You stood for what you believed to be right, yet managed to do so without making others wrong. You made a tremendous difference in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to share some time on this earth with you. You were a gift to us all and your presence will be sorely missed.

The world was shocked and saddened by the news of the deadly earthquake in Haiti yesterday.  Right now, there are likely thousands of people who have lost their homes and now have only limited access to food, water, shelter and medical care.  This is a terrifying situation that is almost unimaginable to most of us.  It would be easy to turn off the news and tune it out, avoiding the uncomfortable images and going about our lives in the usual way.  I urge you not to do that today.  Ignoring suffering does not make it go away.  Do something to help!

Every so often, I get an inexplicable surge of random domesticity and am driven to engage in new projects such as creating elaborate gourmet meals, exotic floral arrangements or homemade lotions.  Generally, these projects are inspired by an approaching holiday and this time, I was inspired by one of my mother’s traditions. Each year, my mother would have my sister and I make pomanders by studding oranges with fresh cloves, attaching ribbons and hanging them around the house. To this day, the smell of orange and clove evokes memories of warm fires on snowy days, time spent with family and the excitement of the holiday season.