“When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced.  Live

your life in such a way that when you die the world cries and you

rejoice.”  – American Indian saying

“Another set of hands pulled me from my mother’s womb at birth; another set of hands changed my diapers, fed me, nourished me; another set of hands taught me to read and write.  Now another set of hands grows my food, delivers my mail, collects my garbage, provides my electricity, protects my city, defends my nation; another set of hands will comfort and care for me when I become sick and old; in the end, another set of hands will lower me into the ground when I die.”  - from James C. Hunter’s “The Servant”

This passage has reminded me that as “individual” as I may think I am, and as “independent” as I may feel when my ego holds sway over me…in truth…I am really a product of all the other lives that have touched mine. (and yes that includes YOURS)  They are too many to count to be sure, but know this…your life has given shape to mine, and I am grateful for the gift.