Winters are hard. But this past winter I was determined to not let it get me down, to not forget about all the things worth waking up for. I created a morning routine of appreciating the little things--waking up, putting on music, taking a long shower, brewing coffee, cooking breakfast. And when I sat down at the table to eat, when I warmed my hands on my coffeecup and stared out the window, instead of missing my friends and feeling lonely, I tried to imagine each of them in their own houses or apartments following a similar routine--of waking, and drinking, and eating, and thinking, and appreciating.
In order to remember this routine and also to share it with my friends and thank them for helping me through the winter, even from far away, I made these cards and CDs and mailed them to them. It was so nice to have a project to work on, but the best part of doing it was getting the responses back from my friends. Just goes to show that giving really is better than receiving. 
from Cory:
"This morning I put on your CD and for some reason that Gideon song made me start bawling which I think might be a somewhat normal reaction to that song though. So then I had to pull myself together while waiting for the celebrate-being-alive song to come on, which I danced to and sang out loud - even the bah bah bah buh BAH bahs and do do do do dA dahs TWICE. Then I felt alot better.
p.s. I was totally dancing with you this morning, btw. :) I love you!"
from Leslie:
from Annalisa:"this morning
i woke up
went for a run
stretched
took a shower
and had brekfast (cappuccino) while i was reading the paper and listening to the cd you sent to me.
thank you so much.
you really made my week warmer
i am so so happy and lucky to have you
you are so special and something stable deep inside of me.
love you"
