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Dec 4th Prompt: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this
  year?

This may sound strange but one of the ways wonder was cultivated for me personally was through a friend's challenging year. About 18 months ago my friend went in for surgery and came out unable to stand or walk.  During this time of recovery, I have watched her seamlessly transition from an independent and busy social life to an assisted living environment. In her new digs, she has taken on the role of social coach for others who have a tendency to withdraw into themselves or feel weighted by life's circumstances. 

Through her, I experience the incredible resiliency we each have. Each time I see her, she has changed.  I witnessed building block by building block coming back on line.  Sometimes it is hard to qualify what the improvement has been since the last time I was with her, but yet it is clear she gains greater independence every few weeks and bit-by-bit is closer to standing. Even with considerable trauma, the human system rallies and strives to regain maximum function.  This is for me a wonder experienced anew each time I am with her.

Cynthia Allen