Occasionally individuals come into your life whose very presence benefits the world. They are rarely in positions of power, but prefer to work behind the scenes with little need for recognition. In group situations they generally let others take center stage. These persons speak only after having reflected on all sides of an issue, and when they speak people listen. They define the word "mature." Their capacity to love is endless. Arlene is one such individual.

I first met Arlene at a Carolyn McDade singing retreat in Paris, Ontario in October 2001. Carolyn and I were the only Americans present and both of us were heartsick over the events of September 11 and our country's recent vengeful attacks on Afghanistan. Arlene and her Canadian sisters drew us to their collective bosom and held us close during that entire weekend. In September 2002, Arlene, who lives in Georgetown, Ontario near Toronto, became a member of the Windsor/Detroit community of women who gathered the first Saturday of every month to work on Carolyn McDade's "O Beautiful Gaia" CD project. That CD was recorded in June 2003 by 150 women in three regions of Canada and the U.S., and was released in November of that year. In September 2006, this community--now called the Gaia Women of the Great Lakes Basin--joined hundreds of women from across Canada and the United States in another Carolyn McDade-inspired CD project. This CD is called "My Heart Is Moved" and features original songs based on the Earth Charter. It was just released in November 2007. The Gaia Women of the Great Lakes Basin continue to spend the first Saturday of every month together, and Arlene from Georgetown and Mary from Toronto continue to make the long drive to join them. Arlene also works behind the scenes as their group email coordinator.

After a two-year hiatus, I have just rejoined the community and took this candid photo at our January 5th gathering in Windsor, Ontario. It was my good fortune to be seated next to Arlene whose loving presence seeped into my pores and filled me with peace. Arlene is one among many such women of presence in this group and together they are changing our world.