OK. Here’s the short version. A rat was dying on my shoe. It was a rat with healthy soft brown and gold fur. It was as big as my size 8 1/2 athletic shoe, and probably weighed a pound at least. It had a furry tail, not one of tough skin, and it had large gentle brown eyes. She looked at me squarely without panic or accusation, perhaps with love. I was stunned and disturbed, uncertain what I was to do. In the end, I left her alone to either come out of her shock and go her own way, or to die in peace. After all, she had taken sanctuary in my shoe. I wasn't going to move her.

I returned a couple hours later to find her body curled up a foot or two away from my shoes.

Sometimes it takes extraordinary events to startle us out of our apathy. During those hours, I thought about what message this rat carried that she should go to such lengths to get my attention. The issues that surfaced will offer direction throughout this new year.