(shannon) Greetings from California! Tomorrow is the first day of spring, and I hope you are feeling the rising renewal, the sense of well being that comes from a fresh start. It just crept up on me yesterday, and you'd think it wouldn't be so acute here in a sunny land, but it still is a noteworthy event even though we don't have clearly articulated seasons here and have not been done in by a snowy cold winter as some have.

Part of my sense of vitality is coming from the fact that, though our daughter was a block away from the Madrid blasts on the 11th, and would have been in the Atocha station a half hour later boarding a train on the line that was blown up, she is safe. Many were not so fortunate, and as devastation and grief grazes us yet leaves us whole, I am deeply, unspeakably grateful for Hilary's well being. My heart and healing thoughts go out to all who are suffering such profound loss and pain.

I would also like to express that I do not feel separate just because I live in another country. I actually feel like the world is so interdependent that we don't really escape the suffering of others~ such an event is felt the world round, and we are all touched in some way. I personally look forward to, seek to embrace, and promote the understanding of true unity where the golden rule IS the rule. It doesn't get more straightforward than that.

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

For a short essay click on this link. http://www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/goldrule.htm

I take this to heart, and am working on it myself, even on those days when I completely suck. And there are those days when resolve and good intention dissolve into old bad habits and reactionary behavior, rendering me a two year old again, thus the saying is a fine reminder.

Thanks to all of you for keeping our fanmail site full. We enjoy your communications and relish the contact with you! More later...

As Hilary would say ~salud, paz, y amor~ Shannon