I was feeling rather out of sorts yesterday, and a wonderful surprise arrived on my computer.

Apparently, someone had read an article I had written for The Latest called "Making New Friends," whoever they may have been, I wanted to say thank you for the surprise they sent my way with their response.

It is difficult to properly share how much real pleasure I receive when someone reads an article I have written, and who feels a sense of identity with my words. As someone who has been writing all my life, nothing gives me more joy then discovering that there is another human being out there in the world who is touched by what I have said.

My article dealt with some ideas that came to me as I was writing my article called "Making New Friends," and this is just one way that I am able to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

For the same reason, I have been writing poetry for my neighbors and placing it on a bulletin board that hangs in the laundry room of the building where I live. One of these days, I plan to share some of my poems with the readers of The Latest.

It occurs to me that the operative word in all of this is sharing. The magic performed by The Latest is the opportunity it provides for people like me to reach out and hopefully touch another heart.

Having been writing all of my life, not many things that I do provide the pleasure that comes to me when I hear that there is another person who is able to identify with what I have shared.

Finding The Latest has been one of the experiences that has helped give my days a reason for being, and it makes me feel hopeful that it won't be long before I have the chance to touch another heart with something I write. This morning I smiled again when I found several new replies to my article.

Should someone who has never written for The Latest read my words, I hope that it encourages them to take the time to sit down and write an article for this wonderful blog.