I know you humans are finally getting back, well mostly- to what life was before. Tom is very excited to see the families at his Music Therapy center once again and to reunite with family and friends, but I also see that he is careful still in crowded places and has found himself getting tired faster than he used to after he's been with people. Well, I am here to tell you he is not the only one. I think we all feel a little shell-shocked from last year, and it takes some energy and time to get your stamina back. Watching all of you in town without masks has been wonderful to see. How much I missed the full human face. Your eyes, nose and mouths work so well together! I know many of you have been behind those masks for quite a while and it is hard to express yourself once again. Don't stress about it. It takes time. Go slow, and now all you humans are feeling the same way.

Tom and I have been thinking about many things we like about the last year:

• More time to walk
• More time to create
• More time alone to think
• More time to cook, to paint, to reflect, to build Legos, to write and to cuddle.

Tom has also said he is grateful for every little thing more than he has ever been. We love our yard. It became the office for both of us. We didn't love Zoom, but we zoomed with people we haven't seen for years. Something about the isolation made it more important to see people you missed. We gardened and watched movies and also did a lot of praying. I found out that when humans are scared, they have to do something to make them feel they are trying to make things better. Some of you pray. Some of you have other ways to ask for help. Tom did a lot of praying and making new choices in his life. To be honest, I had never seen him so scared or determined to make changes for the better having to do with his health, career, and personal life. I think Tom having Covid changed him. It certainly changed me. When he was gone in the hospital I missed him every day, but as a dog I already knew he'd be fine. But, it still was great to have him home. And throughout this year the house is full of new plants, art, music and I even have a new dog-toy! Little changes happened, and now that I look back, they made the biggest difference. So, I know it's hard to get back into life, but maybe don't see it as getting back, but as a new next chapter and a chance to live life fuller than before the Pandemic. Having people over