Night Owl,

If you re-read McGrath's "potted history" of the lilacs and think about the human spirit and how some people can get knocked down but they just keep on living and growing, then I think you might see some of your own story there, too. Especially the fact that even if the plant dies, then the flowers can carry on the regeneration, because they are so determined to live life to the full. (This is probably not the place to mention cockroaches, but I have a deep respect for their overwhelming determination to live - no matter how battered and bruised they are, they can still get up and walk away.)

Also I want to thank you for letting us into your private world. I remember that Music Therapy thread - I would often get the cold shivers from it, because it touched so many deep and fundamental spiritual parts of my life.

Depths and insights - that's what this thread is about. Adding dimension to a person I have never met but with whom I have had some very pleasant and worthwhile conversations.

Helen