December 24,
2024
“The course of human
history is determined, not by what happens in the skies, but by what takes
place in our hearts” --Sir Arthur Kent
Season’s
Greetings Friends and Family,
2024.
Wow, what a year! As
the sun shines outside my window and the wind blows, I am grateful for all the
blessings in my life. Good health, loyal friends, loving family, and a
beautiful environment to live in the Pacific Northwest. It’s amazing to think I’ve
now resided in this part of the country longer than my birthplace Cleveland (35
years, give or take the 3 years I lived in D.C. & 6 months in Bloomington,
IN).
How are
you? After celebrating a milestone birthday last year, I rolled into 61with
determination to stay fit and mentally healthy, not easy in an election year! I
continue to love my work at the Center for the Study of Health & Risk
Behaviors in UW Psychiatry and the School of Medicine. I enjoy my boss, the
faculty with whom I interact, and our pre- and post-doctoral students. We are
all working to improve the health of young adults in this country thanks to the
behavioral research we do in prevention and treatment.
An
unexpected trip in June to Cleveland to attend a brunch at my high school alma
mater allowed me to not only engage with recent St. Ignatius graduates and
current faculty and staff but also get reacquainted with high school and drama
club friend Bob Lukacevic, in addition to my childhood friend Renee. I have to
say that trip in late spring was one of the highlights of my year and reminded
me of the importance of staying connected to Cleveland, a place that had such
an impact on my character formation as a young person.
In September Odie O’Dell and I took another
lifetime trip to Italy. First spending 8 days in sizzling Rome (where the daily
temp was 93 degrees F) we revisited sites from my earlier trip there in 2009,
including reconnecting with friend Danilo and his partner Fabio, in addition to
my college friend Joanne’s cousin Anna Rita, her husband Max, and their grown
daughter Alisa. We so enjoyed their company during those fledgling days. Then
we flew to Sicily’s capital, Palermo, averting a train strike, and headed to
Cefalu in a van with 4 friendly teenagers just graduated from high school, landing
in Cefalu for my godson Ryan’s wedding to his lovely girlfriend Amanda.
Both sides of Ryan and Amanda’s family gathered there, and we spent 5 days
swimming in the sea and
strolling around
the town. I was honored to officiate at their wedding and spend relaxed time
with the couple, Ryan’s mom and my dear friend Carolyn, and both sides of their
family. Odie and I continued our adventures, bicycling in Palermo, taking a
train along the coast to spend time in Siracusa, Taormina, Noto, and Catania, and
just soaking up La Dolce Vita.
The last
few months feel like they have sped by and I’m unsure I am ready for 2025. I am
really staying in the moment and hoping to remain grounded in my life and
pursuits. For the first time in three years, I’ll be staying here in Seattle
for Christmas and have enjoyed the time with people in all my various
friendship groups.
Wishing
you and yours a very special holiday, and a happy, healthy new year.
Love,
Jack
Wedding in seaside town of Cefalu, Sicily, Sept 10, 2024
