This column was originally published in the January 5th, 2013 edition of The Kingston Whig-Standard

Another year sped by, and it leaves one reflecting on what of consequence happened to me and mine.

On the world scene, certainly, much violence and strife took place in 2012. How can we make sense of the horrific individual stories such as that of the Pakistani girl, Malala, who was shot just because she is a female. Another horror was the gang rape of the Indian medical student who died because of the violence perpetrated on her young body. The shooting of children in their school in the U.S. has left us all bereft.

At the start of a new year, we look ahead with hope that things will improve.

But before turning our backs on the past year, I would like comment on the tremendous joy we, personally, experienced because of the kindness and friendships of so many individuals.

Euripides said, “Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness,” and for our family, the depth and breadth of kindness and compassion in 2012 carried us forward to the next day, the next week, and now into the new year.

There were so many acts of kindness that it is hard to name each one, but the overall feeling was of being cocooned by affection and caring — as when staff at the local shops came forward with such compassion to help, or when individuals sought us out just to say how sorry they were for us and then cheered us on by commenting on the new house, which was rising like a phoenix from the ashes of our old farmhouse.

It is so trite, but true that words are inadequate to describe our feelings of overwhelming appreciation. How does one express gratitude to teachers who gave clothes, to others who cooked meals and delivered them? What does one say to the women of the Gananoque United Church, who baked us pies or the couple who held a fundraising event so that more individuals contributed money and goods?

One friend immediately took us in, another brought night clothes, another arrived with money and so the acts of kindnesses continued non-stop throughout the year. When we moved into a rental home, neighbours appeared with food, clothing and kind words. Some women friends and former colleagues at work stocked the larder, another friend gave me a sewing basket full of all the essentials and another came with bright cushions to cheer the living room. Gifts have been given to us that mean such a lot because of the care and love which accompanied the gifts.

We were so delighted when neighbours came to an informal open house we held recently to let them know that they had commiserated with us earlier, and now they could celebrate with us as we settle into our shiny, cheery new home.

The tragedy of losing our dear house and all our belongings has been so tempered by the comfort and support of so many friends. We hope you understand how profoundly and humbly we accept all that you have given us in the name of friendship.

The dear friends have included many men and I don’t leave them out when I quote Toni Morrison: “She is a friend of mind. She gathers me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.”

So here is to friendship. It lights the darkness caused by grief and sadness and it brightens our lives with such joy. It banishes loneliness and lets us feel the warmth of compassion. May you all experience such friendship in 2013 and may your troubles be small.

I echo what Piglet said to Pooh.

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. ‘Pooh,’ he whispered. ‘Yes, Piglet.’ ‘Nothing,’ said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. ‘I just wanted to be sure of you.’ ”

And don’t forget Ralph Waldo Emerson: “… Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.”