Howie, your words moved me deeply. Thank you for sharing your heart so openly—it’s a reminder of the raw, beautiful truth of what it means to be simply human. The way you weave your pain, love, and gratitude into a story about resilience and connection is nothing short of inspiring.
As I read your post, I couldn’t help but think about the ripple effect each of us has on the world. The love you’ve given, the lessons you’ve shared, and the lives you’ve touched—through both joy and hardship—are a testament to the quiet power we all hold to make a difference. These ripples, born from communities of the heart, stretch far beyond what we can ever see, creating light even in the darkest corners of our world.
And yet, I felt a tug of disappointment as I reached the part where politics crept in. Not because your feelings aren’t valid, but because the deeper truth you so beautifully captured risks being overshadowed by the polarization that seems to permeate everything these days. The challenges we face as a society aren’t the burden of one leader or one party—they’re the weight and responsibility carried by the extremes on both ends. What gives me hope isn’t what divides us, but the silent strength of the “quiet middle,” the everyday people who are standing up to say, “Enough. We want something better for us, our children, our friends, and our future.”
Your reflections remind me that real change doesn’t come from rhetoric or outrage—it comes from the collective, relentless efforts of people choosing to live with kindness and courage. From those who, like you, find meaning even in the hardest moments and use that meaning to create something beautiful for others. It’s these acts of humanity that ripple outward, far beyond what we’ll ever know.
As you know, I’m so deeply sorry for the losses you and your entire family have endured this year. Yet the love and light you’ve brought to those around you, even as you grieve, shows how deeply you honor the memories of Michelle, Dr. Gumpert, and others who’ve shaped your life. They live on in the way you love your family, in the lessons you share through your writing, and in the example you set in who you are and the lengths you'll go for whom you love...family, friends, your abiding faith in the goodness of the common man. That’s the ultimate ripple effect, and it’s a powerful one.
Thank you for the reminder that even in loss, there’s always something to be thankful for, and that gratitude is a practice, not a feeling. Wishing you and your family a blessed holiday season filled with love, healing, and the quiet joy of recognizing the goodness still all around us. ~Sue
Sue, my fundamental concern about the state of our country has zero to do with "politics." I am most concerned that so many of our fellow Americans are simply not listening, or not listening critically. Remove the personalities and policies from the argument and if I said to you, "So our country took someone who tried to overthrow the government and has been repeatedly convicted of multiple crimes and we re-elected him President," wouldn't your response be "These people are crazy?"
And that's the whole problem in a truly nut-shell. Try as I may, I cannot comprehend how that could possibly be the case unless nobody was reading the news, and nobody was questioning any of what the miscreant said in public. I can no longer honestly answer the question, "Are we stupid?"
This frightens me more than anything else. There are some damages we may never be able to reverse after the next four years. And that's part of what has to enter into your thinking as you think about how your life proceeds from where you are to where you will be. Democrat or Republican has no bearing on it. Selfish, thieving, grifting bad people are selfish, thieving, grifting bad people.
I imagine after they play "Hail to the Chief" at the beginning of cabinet meetings, they'll then play "Send in the Clowns" to welcome the cabinet.
Howard! What the heck! No wonder I've not heard from you over the past year. It’s been a tough year for you and your family. Words cannot describe how much I admire the strength and resilience you’ve shown through everything you’ve faced. You’ve handled challenges that would shake anyone, yet you’ve kept pushing forward with grace and determination. I see your courage and the effort you’ve put into not just surviving but finding ways of gratitude amongst it all. As you step into what’s ahead, remember that you’re not alone, and there’s so much hope for brighter days. You’ve already proven how strong you are, and I have no doubt you’ll continue to rise no matter what comes your way. Let me know when you are feeling better up to coffee or lunch. I will come your way! Take care and be gentle with yourself for the rest of this awful year. 2025 is around the bend.
Thank you so much for your very kind words, Mary. I have to admit that, to me, its more of an existentialist attitude than anything else. There's nothing to be gained in bemoaning your fate. The only path to happiness lies in continuing to work toward what you want to achieve and contribute in life. I've watched people go through far worse and emerge victorious in the game of living a good life.
2025 holds the promise of being the worst year yet. When you look at the extraordinary assemblage of truly incompetent louts that are being planned to ruin our country (no I didn't mean "run") you can't help but experience a combination of fear and disgust.
Pundits have said we need to replace what was the resistance with what now must be The Opposition, and I agree. We have to stand against the effort to deny what has made our country the envy of the world for a quarter-millenium. Given the current rag-tag excuse we have for leadership my hopes don't run high. New leadership must emerge or we'll be waiting out the next four years breathlessly.
I'm glad to have considerable range of motion back in my arms, and will continue to endure physical therapy to get the rest of it back. The most important thing I've regained is my ability to operate a keyboard. I will be continuing to work to find ways to convince others they can make a difference.
And I'm ready to meet up with you anywhere in the Valley for coffee. I would truly love that.
Engaging and inspiring. Thank you for sharing a message that resonated with me and appeared, thanks to a friend who shared, at the perfect time. Best wishes for the year ahead.
Howie,
Thank you for sharing such a personal story.
Your lessons are an inspiration.
You are strong of will and 2025 will be a year of rebound and recovery.
I so hope you’re right about 2025. Even my optimism is being challenged by the middle finger we’re getting from the Orange Oligarch.
Howie, your words moved me deeply. Thank you for sharing your heart so openly—it’s a reminder of the raw, beautiful truth of what it means to be simply human. The way you weave your pain, love, and gratitude into a story about resilience and connection is nothing short of inspiring.
As I read your post, I couldn’t help but think about the ripple effect each of us has on the world. The love you’ve given, the lessons you’ve shared, and the lives you’ve touched—through both joy and hardship—are a testament to the quiet power we all hold to make a difference. These ripples, born from communities of the heart, stretch far beyond what we can ever see, creating light even in the darkest corners of our world.
And yet, I felt a tug of disappointment as I reached the part where politics crept in. Not because your feelings aren’t valid, but because the deeper truth you so beautifully captured risks being overshadowed by the polarization that seems to permeate everything these days. The challenges we face as a society aren’t the burden of one leader or one party—they’re the weight and responsibility carried by the extremes on both ends. What gives me hope isn’t what divides us, but the silent strength of the “quiet middle,” the everyday people who are standing up to say, “Enough. We want something better for us, our children, our friends, and our future.”
Your reflections remind me that real change doesn’t come from rhetoric or outrage—it comes from the collective, relentless efforts of people choosing to live with kindness and courage. From those who, like you, find meaning even in the hardest moments and use that meaning to create something beautiful for others. It’s these acts of humanity that ripple outward, far beyond what we’ll ever know.
As you know, I’m so deeply sorry for the losses you and your entire family have endured this year. Yet the love and light you’ve brought to those around you, even as you grieve, shows how deeply you honor the memories of Michelle, Dr. Gumpert, and others who’ve shaped your life. They live on in the way you love your family, in the lessons you share through your writing, and in the example you set in who you are and the lengths you'll go for whom you love...family, friends, your abiding faith in the goodness of the common man. That’s the ultimate ripple effect, and it’s a powerful one.
Thank you for the reminder that even in loss, there’s always something to be thankful for, and that gratitude is a practice, not a feeling. Wishing you and your family a blessed holiday season filled with love, healing, and the quiet joy of recognizing the goodness still all around us. ~Sue
Sue, my fundamental concern about the state of our country has zero to do with "politics." I am most concerned that so many of our fellow Americans are simply not listening, or not listening critically. Remove the personalities and policies from the argument and if I said to you, "So our country took someone who tried to overthrow the government and has been repeatedly convicted of multiple crimes and we re-elected him President," wouldn't your response be "These people are crazy?"
And that's the whole problem in a truly nut-shell. Try as I may, I cannot comprehend how that could possibly be the case unless nobody was reading the news, and nobody was questioning any of what the miscreant said in public. I can no longer honestly answer the question, "Are we stupid?"
This frightens me more than anything else. There are some damages we may never be able to reverse after the next four years. And that's part of what has to enter into your thinking as you think about how your life proceeds from where you are to where you will be. Democrat or Republican has no bearing on it. Selfish, thieving, grifting bad people are selfish, thieving, grifting bad people.
I imagine after they play "Hail to the Chief" at the beginning of cabinet meetings, they'll then play "Send in the Clowns" to welcome the cabinet.
Howard! What the heck! No wonder I've not heard from you over the past year. It’s been a tough year for you and your family. Words cannot describe how much I admire the strength and resilience you’ve shown through everything you’ve faced. You’ve handled challenges that would shake anyone, yet you’ve kept pushing forward with grace and determination. I see your courage and the effort you’ve put into not just surviving but finding ways of gratitude amongst it all. As you step into what’s ahead, remember that you’re not alone, and there’s so much hope for brighter days. You’ve already proven how strong you are, and I have no doubt you’ll continue to rise no matter what comes your way. Let me know when you are feeling better up to coffee or lunch. I will come your way! Take care and be gentle with yourself for the rest of this awful year. 2025 is around the bend.
Thank you so much for your very kind words, Mary. I have to admit that, to me, its more of an existentialist attitude than anything else. There's nothing to be gained in bemoaning your fate. The only path to happiness lies in continuing to work toward what you want to achieve and contribute in life. I've watched people go through far worse and emerge victorious in the game of living a good life.
2025 holds the promise of being the worst year yet. When you look at the extraordinary assemblage of truly incompetent louts that are being planned to ruin our country (no I didn't mean "run") you can't help but experience a combination of fear and disgust.
Pundits have said we need to replace what was the resistance with what now must be The Opposition, and I agree. We have to stand against the effort to deny what has made our country the envy of the world for a quarter-millenium. Given the current rag-tag excuse we have for leadership my hopes don't run high. New leadership must emerge or we'll be waiting out the next four years breathlessly.
I'm glad to have considerable range of motion back in my arms, and will continue to endure physical therapy to get the rest of it back. The most important thing I've regained is my ability to operate a keyboard. I will be continuing to work to find ways to convince others they can make a difference.
And I'm ready to meet up with you anywhere in the Valley for coffee. I would truly love that.
Engaging and inspiring. Thank you for sharing a message that resonated with me and appeared, thanks to a friend who shared, at the perfect time. Best wishes for the year ahead.
Glad it brought you value. I've sent an invitation to meet online. If the time doesn't work, please suggest one that does!!!
Well put, Howie!