Thanks, *Beth*. I'm not surprised you have done the volunteer option, and done it multiple times. It's especially important around the holidays, I find, to reach out and do what we can for others, if we feel we have the strength to do so.

My contributions in this way have been somewhat small over the last few years. I was not well enough to indulge in full-blown commitment of large chunks of time, even to causes I felt were very worthwhile. But I did do a bit of baking for friends I knew were crushed for time around now. And I looked in on neighbours who were suddenly alone, or who might be kind of left out around Christmas.

It's a time of great want and great need, and of course these can be felt more keenly, now, as Dickens so memorably said. People are so busy with so many other concerns, that staffing can be challenged---and what is needed are feet on the ground, and things getting done.

It was always enriching for me to simply help other people, without the expectation of pay. It's an excellent remedy for feeling alone and cut off from other humans, or feeling our purpose has been lost in this world. And, it has the most profound way of keeping things in perspective.