By Virginia Parker Staat
As I write this, I’m sitting under a canopy of pines near Athens, Georgia. Yellow daffodils and the redbud trees are beginning to bloom. David and I are on our first camping trip with our new Golden Retriever pup, Samantha. Tomorrow we visit our granddaughter who studies at the University of Georgia. Then we turn south to visit our 16- and 12-year-old grandkids. We haven’t seen them since the spring before all the lockdowns began… nearly three years ago. I’m bracing myself for how much they have grown.
I know the lockdowns were a sacrifice for all of us, particularly with concerns about infecting family and friends and the isolation it brought. Like the springtime just emerging here in Georgia, however, it feels like the entire country is opening up again. It gives me great hope.
I realized how much I have missed interacting with friends and family during our last RMOWP conference. It was wonderful getting together with folks I hadn’t seen in two years and to visit both old and new friends.
Now David and I look forward to RMOWP’s next conference in Golden, Colorado. We’re hoping even more folks will attend this conference.
It is no great stretch for me to say that RMOWP has become like family to us. Thanks to each of you for your continued participation in this great organization. We look forward to seeing as many of you who are able to be in Golden at this year’s conference. David, Sam, and I look forward to meeting you there.