[SJRA-Members] Thank You For The Card! (From KD2JPW)

[MARK WALTERS]

SJRA Members,

I just received the card from the club/members today and wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their continued support and well wishes.  Your sentiments are truly appreciated particularly during the holidays which as you can imagine have been rather rough for me this year.  I had hoped to make it to the party but for a number of reasons, was just not able to make it.  To be honest with everyone, as much as I wanted to attend, I was not sure that I would hold up well in light of things and did not want this issue to overshadow what is supposed to be a happy time for the club.  

My son and I are coping and making progress everyday and beginning to change our outlook from grief to happier sentiments by focusing on the happier memories we shared with my daughter and our family unit.  It is a daily struggle as the smallest things seem to come out of the blue and still trigger strong emotions of what once was.  I know I am not telling anyone anything new as we all lose loved ones and it is a fact of life that we all cope with in our own way, place and time.

Speaking from the club historian aspect, I feel it is appropriate to disclose that all of the club's historical records that are in my possession are secure and fine.  They are stored in my daughter's old room and so trips to the club archives involve a new aspect for me personally right now of being flooded with everything about my daughter.  It is something that takes time to process and deal with slowly.   I appreciate your patience if I do not immediately bring many club historical things to meetings initially but promise to get back on track as I continue to process this issue.  

Now that I have broken the ice and taken the first step to communicate this issue directly with everyone personally for the first time, hopefully it will be a bit easier for me to resume attending club meetings, weekly nets, breakfasts and the radio fellowship I so enjoy with everyone in the upcoming year.   For my benefit and for the clubs benefit, it will be easier for me going forward if focus remains on the club activity at hand and not me personally.  I will get thru this and your support is understood, acknowledged and appreciated.

That being said, I want to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and good fortune and many contacts in the new year!  Hug your family members extra tight this holiday season.  Our club, which is a family unto itself,  is the best club around in my opinion and due to the work and contributions of members like you, it continues to grow and thrive!  

Happy Holidays to all and a very prosperous and happy New Year!
I hope to see everyone soon,
Be Well,
Mark Walters, KD2JPW