Good Bye 2018…Welcome 2019! Holiday Letter

Hola Family and Friends!

It has been 2 years in Arkansas!

Where is Arkansas?

Major Event in 2018!

As most of you know 2018 was very special because it was the last year with my dad. The past year was tough but I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with him and my family creating special memories.

Fathers Day Gift -Hanging Out at a Durham Bulls Baseball Game

Top 5 Notable Items in 2018

5…Convening Our First Digital Health Conference
4…Visiting a Concentration Camp in Germany
3…My Dad’s Birthday Party
2…Hanging Out with My Niece on Her 1st European Trip
1…Hosting My Uncles and Dad in Arkansas

Professionally

This past year has been extremely busy with starting a new pediatric clinical trial network, trying to hire staff during an unexpected medical center layoff, beginning patient enrollment in another research study and convening the first Digital Health Conference at our academic medical center. I am excited about assisting researchers and doctors launch mobile apps to help children better manage their asthma and address children who are born with an addiction to Opioids.

All of this work has required many weekends in the office but I have finally taken some time to explore the Arkansas area.

Life Changing

There were several significant events this year, one that has changed my life forever. My father transitioned from this life in September of this year. It seemed as if it was all a dream until this past Christmas when I realized that he wasn’t there and wouldn’t be anymore. It is hard to believe he is not with us!

I thought I knew my dad well, but it wasn’t until this year that I realized who my dad was to so many people. He started, influenced or was involved in numerous organizations and activities that touched so many lives. From the ladies who process the water payments to the veterans in his post, people expressed what he meant to them. He was a good listener, established educational institutions, helped people get a job, or gave them a car to get to work. After hearing so many stories and gathering the information for his obit, I felt lazy compared to what he did with his life. I want to be like him when I grow up…making a difference to many and walking 2+miles a day in my 80s!

The Mayor and Our family at Dad’s Birthday Party

Time for Play

It was fun exploring my new environment here in this part of the country, attending culinary festivals and hiking in the mountains. The festivals in this area are all about the food with a side of music. Other than a Razorback football game, these events are when I encountered the most people here.

Festivals I attended…

Food Truck Festival
Cupcake Festival and Contest
Cornbread Festival
Hot Tamale Festival in Greenville Miss.
Sweet Potato Pie Fest and Contest
Art Riverfest in Memphis
Sunflower Blues Festival – Clarksdale Miss

The hiking here is awesome, but I have to get used to not seeing people on the trails. One day I was hiking on one of the highest peaks in the state where I could’ve sworn the vultures were checking me out. My favorite vistas are on Rich Mountain in the Ouachita Mountain range. It is so beautiful!

Ouachita Mountains

When I heard there was a James Beard Award winner in Arkansas I had to seek them out. The restaurant is a small barbecue joint in eastern Arkansas. They sell one item…a barbecue sandwich! The family told me about all about their trip to NYC to receive the award.

Jones Bar-B-Que in Marianna Arkansas. The only James Beard Award Winner in Arkansas

There was a bit of culture sprinkled in as well. I attended a dinner with a member of AFRICOBRA and fine arts photographer Adger Cowans. He was the first African American still photographer on movie sets. I loved his stories!

Chrystal Bridges in Arkansas hosted a lecture featuring Patrisse Khan Cullors, one of the founders of Black Lives Matter. She explained how the movement was started and brought attention to the profitability of the prison system. It gives “made in America” a whole new meaning. It was standing room only!

Patrisse Khan Cullors, one of the founders of Black Lives Matter

Adger Cowans

Hanging Out With Friends & Family

My dad and his brothers visited me in Arkansas, and we had a hot bath in historical Hot Springs, hit some of the highlights in Little Rock and toured the family farm near Pine Bluff. It was fun listening to old stories about their childhood. They were thrilled to carry out their grandfather’s dream of coming back to Arkansas to visit. Our family is from North Carolina but Granddad’s sister and other family members moved to Arkansas more than 100 years ago and lost touch with each other until recently.

Descendants of Lucy Jane and her younger brother William

My niece and I had an awesome time this year when I accompanied her on the school art trip to Europe. I don’t think she realized how lucky she was to leave the country at her age. When I was in junior high, our class didn’t leave the state. Later in the trip we connected with my friend Stacy and enjoyed Greece.

Normalcy was elusive this year, but I did get a chance to go on our annual beach trip with friends. My nieces love going and hanging out with the other kids, playing in the sand, going crabbing and visiting the sites! I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends to spend time with in the sand, sun, and sea.

This year I decided to visit a concentration camp for the first time and found it interesting and very informative. It was mentioned that the Polish were treated as illegal aliens and forced out of the country or arrested and placed in camps because they were not considered citizens in Germany. If you go to Germany there is an awesome Jewish museum that has some unique exhibits.

Symbolism of Missing Jewish Souls /The Wall!

The street art is awesome in German Cities

Kolon is beautiful and I love the chocolate!

Awesome Street Art/Beautiful Sights in Kolon

Looking Forward!

It has been a tough year, but I am grateful. My heart goes out to three of my good friends who are going through unexpected relationship loses. At the same time, I am thrilled that one of my friends is beginning a new chapter of love. I am not one for making New Years resolutions, but with the passing of two absolutely incredible people in my life (my dad & a dear friend), I have some huge shoes to fill to honor their memories.

Based on 2018…expect the unexpected but be the positive difference in 2019.