Dear Friends,
I have been so caught up in the elation of being back at work that I have neglected to broadcast the good news to everyone. After a start at part-time work in June I moved to full time status in September. My colleagues and staff have given me a wonderful welcome back and I am having a great time doing the things a State Librarian should be doing. The range of work is as far reaching as ever, from helping folks deal with the horror of Superstorm Sandy, to testifying before the State Legislature, to giving speeches and even to thinking (and dreaming) about the future of libraries. C-Span is doing a story on our Talking Book and Braille Library and we have been in the news as the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, the only surviving Emancipation Proclamation in Abraham Lincoln’s own hand, has toured the state and been viewed by over 30,000 people. This amazing piece of history joined the State Library collection in 1865. Needless to say, I am back in my element and enjoying every moment.
On the health front I am doing better as my stamina and blood values are much improved. And we are learning that aspects of the chronic graft versus host disease just come with the territory. We are grateful for the continued great care at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Amanda has made great progress in recovering from foot surgery. I have told her many times that she is guaranteed a place in heaven. But, of course, I remind her that she has a long time to go and she must still put up with me before she is welcomed there! We went to The Sagamore, a beautiful resort hotel on the shores of New York’s Lake George, for our Thanksgiving dinner. As the sun set over the lake we shared our Thanksgiving appreciation for a great family, remarkably loving and caring friends and colleagues, and our now almost forty years together. As I look both back to the past and forward to the future I count my many blessings. I am so lucky, so blessed, and so fortunate to have great friends, and to be able to share a rich life filled with great people who have inspired me, given me courage, extended usually excellent advice, and always great wisdom.
Please have a wonderful holiday season filled with every good wish for you and those you love.
With all my love and thanks,
Bernie
PS. This will be the last message on “berniemargolis.com”. We will keep the site up for a while but it will not be active. Our most precious thanks to Jim and Sue for watching over this as a means of keeping in touch and sharing our progress.
