OUR 2021 PRESIDENT'S NOTE
- Monday, December 28, 2020
January, 2021
Looking Forward and Looking Back by Allison Liddell, President, GDOGC
Greetings GODGC members! For those who don’t know me, I have been in the GDOGC for at least 15 years, having joined when my now-adult children were little as an outlet for a personal life-long interest of mine, gardening. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time in the club, and have served on the Board many times, have been president two previous years, and edited the newsletter since I think 2009. My day job is as an infectious disease specialist. My kids are now in college, and I’m thrilled to be asked to be GDOGC President again this year. One of the great things about the club is we have many longstanding members, but also get new members every year who bring fresh ideas and skills! Our Board this year reflects that, and we are planning plenty of adventures, a fresh take on the newsletter with our new editor Elizabeth, and maybe more frequent virtual garden tours given the rave reviews!
Every day at the hospital where I work, there is something called the Safety Briefing. Leaders from all over the facility gather for a 15 min organized, regimented briefing where each department reports events of the previous day and problems expected during the current day. Numbers of COVID cases are noted, ICU beds available, ventilators available, supply issues, staffing issues, etc. For departments with no current problems, the statement is often “nothing looking forward, nothing looking back”. As 2020 ends, there is certainly plenty looking back, much of it difficult and painful for many people. In GDOGC however, we were fortunate to keep having meetings and events, albeit virtually, so we didn’t lose touch with each other. This was important. We all need something like a garden club so we can think about something other than our normal jobs, make friends from other neighborhoods and other careers who have a shared interest, and just connect with something bigger than ourselves. In this case, nature and community. In 2021, we have plenty “looking forward”, and I pledge to continue, along with the rest of the board, to provide interesting virtual GDOGC content and experiences, until the day we can again meet in person. I miss you all so much. Spring Holiday Party anyone?
