The Days of Awe—the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur—are considered the High Holy Days in the Jewish tradition—significant moments that even secular Jews may celebrate in some fashion. It’s the New Year, after all.

Here’s one that I wish we had published, since it speaks to me as a singer and in my work for the CLF—so many precious times with CLF members, colleagues and friends. —LD

Did you know that you can make an online gift in honor of Lorraine’s years of wonderful service to the CLF? Click here to learn more.

Lynn has very good ideas in general, but particularly when it comes to having fun. Her list of boring things to do seems perfect for a person who is about to retire from a busy, inspiring job, doesn’t it? —LD

I am not happy to be writing this column to honor and celebrate Lorraine Dennis. No, I’m not happy at all, because underneath the honoring and the celebrating is the letting go. I hate goodbyes.

I just love this poem. I get a little slide show in my mind and so appreciate the idea that this very simple thing—water—is so darn complicated. —LD

This is a bittersweet time for the CLF as we bid farewell to Executive Director Lorraine Dennis, who will retire in August. We feel both gratitude and sadness as we thank Lorraine for her 15 years of service.

I always feel something when I read Lynn’s poems. “Building the structure of joy” seems like such a good aspiration to take into retirement. —LD

I find Kim’s words about friendship, excerpted from a sermon of hers we printed in the February 2011 Quest, very helpful as a roadmap to a meaningful life. My friends as chosen family and my family as chosen friends. —LD

In this homily from the CLF worship at the UUA General Assembly in 2009, Jane writes a primer on

Unitarian Universalism, with my favorite message that beauty and fun are really important to UUs. —LD