Christmas Day was enjoyed at Blue House with Linda and Larry and homeowners, Jim and Mary. Everything was delicious and when you are not with your beloved family it means so much to be with friends who are family in every sense except blood. John was grateful our five dollar (11 pound) turkey did not look like a capon. Larry marinated it and it was beautiful, moist, delicious — and we came home with enough white meat and plans for a pot pie made and enjoyed today!

Friday John and I rode bikes on an 11-mile adventure from Lazy Days Village in North Fort Myers. It takes heads-up riding to stay safe here because of traffic, and whatever you do that demands your full attention is an excellent spiritual practice of mindfulness and concentration. It has been said that the goal of 2026 is INTENTION and ATTENTION. We had lots of both. As we crossed the last of the major intersections, this one at Tamiami Trail and Littleton Road, John said, “Well, we survived.”

At that exact moment, I saw a butterfly and thought of Doug’s mom, Gail, who visits us with wings and heard, “We all survived.”

If you aren’t new to Yellow Brick Road you are familiar with this idea. The metaphor that makes the most sense with experience is recognizing the difference between a car and a driver: The driver still exists after leaving the car.

Yesterday, John and I drove up to Arcadia to attend the Heartland -Southwest Florida Bluegrass Association monthly music event with our music friend, Paula. She dances in her chair and helps me feel our beloved Molly from Michigan. Weather was perfect and John won $125 in the 50/50 raffle. A great day!

Thus far, this winter’s seasonal life has been rife with newness. Christmas Eve John and I went to the theater to see Wicked For Good. Only about a dozen people at the 7:45 pm showing, and I confess to dozing off a bit. I had to spend some time reading a really good plot summary on Christmas morning, but during the singing of “For Good” I was wide awake.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? I do believe I have been changed for the better. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart….

May the echoes of Christmas sing truth to your heart as you prepare to welcome the New Year.

“For Good” as sung by Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) with the full lyrics below:

FOR GOOD
From “WICKED”
(sung by two people)
I’m limited *just look at me*
I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do
Glinda
Because now it’s up to you *for both
of us*
Now it’s up to you
(Glinda)
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well I don’t know if I believe that’s
true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a Sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for
the better?
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
(Elphaba)
It well may be
That we may never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learn from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories
end
I know you have rewritten mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind of the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for
the better?
But
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done you’ve
blamed me for
But then, I guess
We know there’s blame to share
And none of it seems to matter
anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit Like a
ship blown from its mooring
As it passes a Sun By a wind of the
sea
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Like a seed dropped by a bird
Halfway through the wood In the
wood
(Both)
Who can say if I’ve been changed for
the better?
I do believe I have been changed for
the better
(Glinda)
And
Because I knew you
(Elphaba)
Because I knew you
(Both)
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good