I've just finished reading Alan Alda's book, Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself. It is mostly a collection of observations from graduation and other speeches he has made over the years. There are some interesting observations, but indeed he really does seem to be talking to himself. I'm also in the middle of reading Anne Lamott's Grace (Eventually), which similarly contains a lot of self-reflection. Though I can't exactly put my finger on it, somehow Lamott seems to be talking more to me. I feel like she cares about who I am and wants to hear my life story too [which of course is ridiculous because she has hundreds of thousands of fans and I will likely never get to meet her.] Writing is a tricky thing. We all want to be unique. We all want to be recognized as the unique individuals we are. And most of us want to know we will be remembered. A lot of Christmas is about remembering. That's why people send out Christmas cards [though Jim and I sent ours electronically this year after reading that 3 billion cards end up in land fills]. That's why we exchange presents and give Toys for Tots. Just as we want to be remembered, we are also willing to remember others. We recognize that in the midst of our unique individual life circumstances, we need each other. I remember so clearly when Coke did a commercial in the 70s using the somewhat treaclely song "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." Why do I and so many others remember so vividly a commercial with questionable artistic or creative value? Because we really do want to teach the world to sing. People in general are pretty sick of war and violence I think. The only things keeping us from world peace is that there are meglomaniacs who keep people stirred up, keep them believing that they have been cheated out of their share, their uniqueness, their dream. Many people have been cheated out of their dream by the greed of others. But violence won't fix that. Dream-sharing, story-telling, and example are the only things that will indeed teach the world to sing together. I'm looking forward to visiting with relatives and friends over the next few days. I probably won't write again until after Christmas. So to all of you, I wish a wonderful Merry Christmas, and the dream of peace! Blessings, Marja | 
