“Take care of yourselves, rest as much as you can, read good books, sing loud songs (when you’re alone…would be best) and read a poem now and then”  Ann Sefton, 2015

These were the words of Ann Sefton in a Holiday card sent to my wife and I and are among the best advice I have ever received from my mother or anyone else.  I think they are worthy and spoken from the heart and I intend to share them with anyone who will listen.  The kindness and wisdom in the words struck me as a reminder of the joy and simplicity I seek in my life. Those words along with the espoused words of David Trimble, Ph.D. are beliefs that foster greater self-awareness, self-compassion, firm authority, integrity, and coherence to my life. Here’s to a great New Year! Let’s pray for the end of the Coronavirus and return of our society as we know it. April- 2020 Just an update: my mother Ann is now in memory care at the Bethany Healthcare in Framingham, MA. She introduces me proudly as her husband. My mother continues to experience joy on a daily basis and is receiving excellent care at Bethany. She is resilient and happy and will rest and sing loud songs. She has made friends. She still enjoys election coverage but must wait for now. I have not been able to visit for 3-4 weeks because of the risk of transmitting the virus. Meanwhile, Chief DuVernay recovers from several medical procedures and is on the mend. We wish him Godspeed as he and his wife Teresa plan a long-awaited westward move into shared retirement and grand-parenting. Because of the social distancing mandate due to Covid-19, I regret that I may not have the chance to say goodbye properly to Bert and Theresa. That would make me very sad and put an end our regular ‘Lunch with the Chief’ meetings where many former officers come together and shoot the “you know what” and share time together over lunch and remember our times together. The photograph shown is to recognize Chief Bert DuVernay on the anniversary of his retirement from the New Braintree Police Rep in 2015.  Read The shared words and share them with someone you care about.