Most of the time, I live like a hermit. I don't mind it; in fact, I prefer my own company most of the time. Still, times when my outreach efforts (and it's always an effort ) bear fruit have a special sweetness.

It makes me feel like I'm living something that can almost be called a life.

Yesterday, I got TWO phone calls. TWO! I can go a week and not get two phone calls. And I got a very sweet and funny box of treasures from someone I met right here at PC.

And today, I got two more phone calls. Okay, one is from my mother, but I love her, and I like our weekly confabs. And a girlfriend called, and we made plans to get together on Tuesday, before my job starts in earnest.

Feeling pretty plucked up by now, I called a much-loved aunt and a much -oved spiritual mentor.

I know these things wouldn't have any particular importance or value any place but here, where others also struggle with isolation, low-self-esteem, introversion, and getting out into the world.

Thank you for reading.