Do you remember last year, December 2019? Were you looking forward to this year 2020 and a new, fresh start? Not one of us could have imagined the horrors which waited for us.

First a world-wide pandemic, then serious forest fires and finally national protests. Just thinking about the massiveness of it all makes me weary.

I pray next year, 2021, does not get worse. It is so easy for fear and negativity to rule our lives.

If we step back and think about it, much good has happened this year. People have donated precious time and money to help others directly affected by these tragedies. In prior columns I was able to write about much of the good our community has done. Yet there must be countless other individuals and groups who have silently reached out with a helping hand. My thanks to these unnoticed heroes.

In October of this year I began writing down the good things which I experienced on a daily basis. In the beginning it was a struggle sometimes to write one thing every day. The more I listed the good things in my life, the more good things I found to write down. Some days there were five or more items on the list.

This activity enriches my life, helps me to keep things in perspective and makes me more appreciative of the people around me. It is also an encouragement as I strive to share more goodness with the wonderful people in my life.

I encourage you to join me in writing down the good things in your life and then sharing what good you can with those around you.

Thought for food

This month, December 2020, celebrates my second year of writing this column. Last December I celebrated by sharing a childhood recipe. This year I choose to celebrate by sharing a favorite recipe from my mother-in-law. There are many variations and names for this egg-white delicacy.

Please enjoy, no matter which variation you choose:

White Fluffy Cookies

2 egg whites

¼ teaspoon cream of tarter

pinch of salt

2/3 cup of sugar

optional add ins:

1/3 cup of finely grated chocolate

1/3 cup of finely chopped walnuts

(Be creative and add in cashews, dried cranberries or whatever you wish.)

Heat the oven to 350°F

Beat the egg whites and cream of tarter until they form very stiff peaks then gradually fold in all other ingredients. Drop small teaspoon-sized blobs onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and turn the oven off. Leave cookies sit in oven with the door closed until the egg whites are dry and crisp.

In closing I want to say a giant thank you to everyone who responded to our contest. We received much wise advice on how to age successfully. The booklet will be published by the end of January or the beginning of February.

Email us (information@crystallinn.com) with stories of good things you experienced this year. I reply to every email.

Crystal Linn is a multi-published author and an award-winning poet. When not writing, or teaching workshops, Crystal enjoys reading a good mystery, hiking, and sailing with friends and family. See crystallinn.com.