To the New Year! More work and more blessings

 2025 was a year filled with personal joy and national anxiety and fear. 

I had an incredible travel year! France in March-spending time with loved ones and seeing beautiful places and sites. June was travel with dear friends to Canada and Glacier National Park. Being part of the Rotary International Convention was amazing. The connections, the service, the learning-all so very inspiring. July to Cancun with my daughter and her family. Relaxing, educational, fun! Time at the beach, in nature, and in history. Trips to Florida and Atlanta. So many memories!

It was a year of professional growth-publication in a peer-reviewed journal, presentations, student engagement. I developed and launched a course on neuroscience. Developing re-entry and recovery programs and services, work with the Frederick Re-entry Coalition and Gatekeepers. So fulfilling!

Time with my fur babies gave me such energy. My pups and visits to local breweries and wineries. Spending time at the barn with my equines and alpacas. My belief in the healing power of time spent with animals was reaffirmed. Saddened by the loss of my sweet Welsh pony, Jagger-the first pony I ever had. The grief was a bit subsided by the arrival of my Chincoteague pony, Holly. Working with her to appreciate human interaction has been most rewarding.

Spending time with friends from all over the globe-my Cypriot "niece" is now in college in the US, so seeing her and her family was a joy! My dinner clubs add such an amazing dimension to my life. Laughter, discussions, learning over shared food. Reconnecting with teachers from my past. Building new friendships all reaffirm the importance of personal relationships in achieving happiness.

I am indeed blessed. And yet, I have worked diligently with local groups to minimize the damage to our beloved country by a want-to-be authoritarian. I am worried about the future of democracy in our country and I know that 2026 will be a difficult year. I do believe, however, that we shall overcome this threat but we must remain dedicated and vigilant. 

Let us resolve to be strong and persevere. Together we can retain the ideals of the United States. I remain hopeful.




 

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