Introduction

Welcome to the January 2011 issue of Touch: The Journal of Healing.

A new year is upon us.  In the midst of changing seasons and with the lengthening of nights, there are moments that open up between the holiday parties, the shoveling of snow, and the pondering of New Year's resolutions.  Many memories were born over the past year, some captured in words and others in our hearts.  Some became stories to be passed on about a life well lived or a crisis averted.  So many lessons were taught, but were we listening?

In this issue, there are stories of loss, of love, and of reaching out to others, even in the face of death.  The magic of writing is that it transports us on adventures we have yet to travel.  From the blinding snow of a winter storm to the sunshine reflecting on a garden-side pond, and from the intimate warmth of a cafe encounter to the starkness of a doctor's office, we step into a world of color, imagination, and sincerity.  Whether we share a tear or revel in the courage of words dared to be spoken, it is hard not to be moved and inspired.

With every year come new opportunities.  There is much to be done, both in our daily lives and in our struggle to give meaning to our losses and joy to our victories.  Yet it is in those moments, in our mind's snowy, silent vista of reflection, when the moon shines full and, for a moment, colors as our daily concerns eclipse, that we dare to listen at our heart's deepest level.  We hope you will allow the words in these pages to transport you, to embrace you wherever you find yourself, and to inspire you to share your own life's wisdom.

It is with deep gratitude to our contributors that we continue the Journal's mission to gather writing about life's challenges and the healing process.  And we thank you, our readers, for supporting us and taking the time to read these wonderfully courageous and thoughtful stories.

O.P.W. Fredericks, Editor

Daniel Milbo, Assistant Editor