Last night we ventured out in the cold and ice to a coffee house where friends were having a CD release party. The snow blew hard at times and came down in huge flakes that covered my mittens. January demanded its due as a winter month after being wishy-washy all week.

Inside the coffee house, the sounds of Native America flutes and guitar chased away winter as a cup of hot tea warmed my fingers. Taken to a different world, I forgot winter was bellowing for attention outside the fogged up windows.

The owner, Bill, made Paradise Islands for us since we were first time visitors- chocolate chip cookies with tiny parrot colored umbrellas in them. As soon as Bill found out I was a newly published writer, he wanted to introduce me to his wife and they began discussing putting Panda Girl in their shop.

It reminded me that we need each other in this cold world. We need people who believe in us- even if we’ve just met, people who are happy to see us on a cold night, people who think being friends is one of the good things in life. I gained much more than a new CD, a new place to market Panda Girl, and a cookie last night.

I skittered home down dark, slick streets with the knowledge that we are in this together- you and I and everyone else who wants to be a part of the journey. Our hands might be cold, but there is someone waiting to share a Paradise Island if we let them!

Thank you for the warmth and the music TP and for the hope Expressions Coffee House!