For all the difficulties our communities have experienced and witnessed this year, the Kelly family is as thankful as ever.
Our immediate and extended family have remained healthy. We have kept our perspective during a challenging political climate. Our sense of responsibility to community has been deepened as the impact of coronavirus touches nearly everyone regardless of station or circumstance. We know how blessed we are to have each other as sources of comfort, strength, and inspiration to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
Nate and his wife Gracie are expecting their first child, a daughter, in February. Our first grandchild! Gracie has also managed to start a master’s program at Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy. Will has undertaken a new challenge – working towards an MBA at the Darden School of Business at University of Virginia. Charlie continues to advance towards earning his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Washington, and his wife Morgan manages to pursue her passion for ballet while expanding her practice, research, and teaching in physical therapy at the University of Washington Health Center. And Eleanor is thoroughly engaged in her work at REI in Denver, an opportunity that suits her so well… a values-driven company serving customers who believe “it’s in the wild, untamed and natural places that we find our best selves”.
The picture with this note is from the last time we were all able to be together – New Year’s Eve 2019. We rented a small house in the Berkshires with a separate building that was ideal for a family yoga session led by Gracie, a certified yoga instructor. Not the best example of photography, but it will always be a warm memory, and all the more so right now as we don’t know when we will be able to get together again.
From our family to yours, we send the warmest wishes for the coming holidays.
~ John Kelly
