Date: 4/6/2023
Tags: Gratitude, Health
After two weeks of recuperating from surgery, I returned to city hall on Monday to resume my work as Darien’s Mayor. During the two weeks following surgery, I was able to participate in several Zoom conferences and checked and responded to my daily email messages. I received several dozen “get well” cards along with baked goods from office staff and friends. It was heartening to know that so many individuals took time out of their busy days to think of me and wish me well. I have always been impressed by these small acts of kindness and to those who shared their concern for my well-being, I want to say “thank you” and let you know how much I appreciate your efforts.
As a child, I grew up in a family that while not wealthy, appreciated all that we did have, especially the closeness of family and friends. I learned at an early age to have gratitude for the love of my family, our home, and for my friends. My dad used to say that the measure of your success did not lie in the wealth you accumulated, but rather in the quality of your relationships; the knowledge that you have people in your life who will always be there for you. As I have aged, I have seen the truth of my father’s statement; while achieving a good life, I developed relationships that have developed into lifelong friendships, and can truly say that my friendships, next to my family, are what sustains me in my daily life. During my two weeks of recuperation my friends let me know that if I needed anything, they would be there for me.
As I am composing this weekly message, voters in Darien are out casting their ballots for city, school board, and park district offices. Our residents are looking to elect officials who will best serve the vital interests of our community. I am fortunate to have served as your Mayor for the past four years, and I am looking forward to serving you for the next four years. I appreciate your trust and confidence in me, and I am grateful for your continued support. As John F. Kennedy states, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Rather than make you promises, I will let my actions, over the next four years, serve as my way of saying thank you for your support, and my hope is that you will see the sincerity of my actions on your behalf. My thanks to all of you as we embark on our next four years as we work to keep Darien, “a nice place to live.”