Susan’s Thoughts on the Second Day of the New Year

On this second day of the New Year, I’m staring at the Christmas cactus on my desk, which hasn’t bloomed for two years. It reminds me of where I am.

Its gnarled, scarred inner leaves still sprout new ones in all directions. Old leaves nourish the tender new ones. Delicate, hairy tentacles reach out, seeking something extraordinary. The worn steppingstones are sturdy and determined.

It’s a lesson in being a creative human. Whether it’s making a beautiful home, a safe space, good food, knitting, singing, or writing, without creativity, it would be a dark existence.