It is a timely truism that none of us can go through alone; we all need friends, family and partners to make the most out of the opportunities life puts before us.
This is certainly the case for me, both personally and professionally. On the personal front, I sing the praises of my neighbors, who helped me shovel rare snow from my driveway this morning or my local grocer who knows me by name and what cut of beef I like.
Andrew Hautzinger
Times beyond count I have been shown kindness and camaraderie from people known and unknown, constantly reaffirming my faith in the community and my place within it.
In my back hallway, a lonely plant sits on the windowsill in its original plastic pot and foil wrapping. In spite of my neglect over the year, it continues to survive with lush green foliage.
You may ask, what does this plant have to do with the holiday season. It is a poinsettia a friend gave me last Christmas. A year later, its leaves have turned from the holiday white to green, it is root bound and often water stressed due to my forgetfulness.
This got me wondering how a shrubby tropical plant from Central America became associated with Christmas in the United States. Itâs an interesting story.