President's Remarks
by Elise Geltman, LCSW
How necessary it is to have opinions! I think the spotted trout
lilies are satisfied, standing a few inches above the earth. I
think serenity is not something you just find in the world,
like a plum tree, holding up its white petals.
The violets, along the river, are opening their blue faces, like
small dark lanterns.
The green mosses, being so many, are as good as brawny.
How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly,
looking at everything and calling out
Yes! No! The
swan, for all his pomp, his robes of grass and petals, wants
only to be allowed to live on the nameless pond. The catbrier
is without fault. The water thrushes, down among the sloppy
rocks, are going crazy with happiness. Imagination is better
than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless
and proper work.
-- Mary Oliver, Yes! No!
I would like to take a brief moment at the close of the year (and my year serving as NCSPP's President) to thank you all for the good work that you have done. This thanks goes out to the NCSPP Board; all NCSPP committee members; Michele McGuiness, our invaluable administrator; the NCSPP membership (roughly 460 strong!); and to all those who receive this newsletter (1800 of you!). This year has been full of struggle and intensity -- environmental issues, natural and social disasters, and political unrest. This has impacted all of us and the patients and communities we serve. Amidst all of that, we are present and continue. As Mary Oliver reminds us: "To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work."