1985

The snowfall is already heavy here in Connecticut providing us with one of the first white holiday seasons since 1969—can it really have been that long ago? All I know is that on Christmas day last year (2001), I played my brother in tennis—outdoors—and despite the loss, I enjoyed the unseasonably mild weather and assumed that this is what Christmas in California or Florida must be like. Still, as a Northeasterner at the core, I am thrilled with the white stuff on the ground with the hope that we will enjoy a long New England ski season this year we are long overdue. Perhaps it will still be on the ground by the time you are reading this column.

Something to think about especially since there's not much else for me to ruminate on while I stare at my computer screen attempting to craft this column. Also overdue is news from many ANY! of you. So light on news, I will try and fill in this issue with the bits and pieces of "stuff" I have heard.

Where in the world is Tom McDonald? Tom, are you out there? If so, Eric Libre is in search of you—or at least your address or e-mail so that he can get back in touch. Seems he has lost track of you since you both finished at Georgetown Medical School. The last thing he heard was that you were completing your ophthalmology training at UCSF. "Doctor, doctor—give us the news—are you still on the West Coast? moved elsewhere? still practicing ophthalmology (I always get confused between ophthalmologists and optometrists)?" We would love the update from you as well, Tom.

As for Dr. Libre, Eric is living in the Maryland suburbs of D.C., working at Fairfax Hospital doing a mix of patient care, teaching Georgetown residents and clinical research. He completed a pulmonary and critical care fellowship in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is, along with his wife, Elisa (a family practice physician), raising Christina (7), Michael (6) and Matthew (4). Eric participates periodically in a monthly house meeting" (a.k.a., some beers in a dive bar) with several other D.C.-based Dartmouth buddies, including Mark Allen. No details from Eric on what else Mark is doing in between these social gatherings, but presumably he has another reason for being in the D.C. area. Hey, Mark, perhaps you can fill us in on some of your details for our next issue!

Okay, let's see. I've still got about 150 words to g0...1 had expected lots more news from you guys, at least through greeting cards this year. But I suppose the adorable pictures of many classmates' kids with only printed greetings and names speak volumes as to the busy phase and stage of life many folks find themselves in these days. In the words of Eric Libre: "Chaos is often the operative word around our house.' But as my gang strolled from our house on Christmas night as the power went out, we headed out into the snowy night and found ourselves wrapped in a magical blanket of white falling snow. How we all delighted in the simplicity of a silent walk under snowy skies with only our own squeals of joy breaking the stillness of everything around us. What an unexpected break from the usual chaos of the day-to-day, however and wherever you are in life these days-to-days. May the joy and wonder of the holiday season remain with you all throughout the New Year.

All the best to all of you—and send us news!

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