So, has 2017 been a good year, or not so good? Gulp. It’s tempting to go on about leadership that has fallen, role models who have disappointed, and our individual aches and pains. Hey, these are important, but they fade (a little bit) when compared to the goodness and beauty around us. We are so fortunate and happy.
Our family tops the list of joys. We love being with and learning from daughter Rachel, son-in- law David, and grandsons Jack and Will. All of them flourish in their own ways while living near Chicago in Wheaton, Illinois. Jack is 16 and a high school junior; Will is 13 and in middle school. Rachel is a research analyst with the American Dental Association. David heads a department at Collegis Education, a marketer and developer of information technology for colleges.
We–Mim & Tom–stay busy around Beloit. Mim is president of two local organizations: Friends of the Beloit Public Library and “East End, ” a group of intellectually curious women who periodically write and present research papers to members. Tom is chair of a Rotary Club effort that honors teachers from area schools and colleges. He is about to sign a contract that will lead to publication of his latest book, a novel called The Learner (See thomasfranklinwarren.com for a teaser).
We try to exercise regularly on land and water, often at a health club called North Pointe owned by Beloit Hospital. We regularly walk around Lake Geneva and a nearby nature sanctuary called Nygren Wetlands. We attend fine arts performances in Beloit, Rockford, Milwaukee, and Chicago. During the winter we traveled to Ajijic, Mexico to visit friends who have a home there.
During this past warm season we spent more time than usual at our Lake Superior cabin in Michigan, but the lake was (and continues to be) naughty, lashing high water that erodes the fragile dune behind our diminishing beach. We hardly swam, canoed, or sat by beach fires at all this year because of these challenges plus cold, wet weather. BUT we love going there, and played many games of Scrabble, Racko, and Cribbage while traveling east and west of our place to experience more of the Upper Peninsula.
We hope this letter finds you in good health. We wish you the very best in 2018 and beyond.
Mim & Tom Warren