How often we forget how dependent we are. I, for one, fight for self-identity everyday. Funny how it's only when I let go of that silly notion that my life brightens. I am not someone alone. I am part of a group, a group of groups, a tiny contributor to a whole beyond my vision. And in this place I find identity.

As a mother I get joy in my son, but survive the afternoon because of his daily naps. I cope with life and keep my living situation in a large way by my husband, who is part of a company, who depends on customers and caters to them, and depends on each person in the company, including me.

My distant family is a huge encouragement, especially when they send mail, provided by my happy friendly mail lady everyday, supported by her postal branch and co-workers, supplied by the Federal Government, sponsored by our country collectively.

I can afford my son's growing habits only because of my in-law's generosity and thrift stores, one of which started by a loving family in town with a vision, bound together with the camaraderie of the staff, and filled by every household in town with a heart to give.

I warm our house by building fires of wood, prepared by family and friends of the past numerous years, and gathered from the woods of our and neighbors' land, neighbors who, for the sake of free removal of fallen wood, were open to us invading their property with trucks, boots and chainsaws.

My husband, son and I have strength to work, to grow, to think from the nutrition we consume from day to day. I can attribute this in large to vegetables; vegetables from the store, the farmer's market, home gardening, greenhouse plants; grown in dozens of countries or states or towns by me, my family, my friends, my neighbors near and far, and people I've never known and will never know... Nor would these vegetables have found their way on our table had it not been the respective influences we received as children.

I look out of a beautiful old farmhouse, on a shoveled walk, a limestone driveway, cleared yard, cultivated field, and well fed birds, all of which I owe to others, and I commit once again to the calling of one among many. I rejoice in this ocean of blessings, and contribute to the blessings of others.