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I have a book of quotations by my desk. It has four pages of quotes on work and none on creativity or reflection. While you might observe that I need to get a different book of quotations, I think the relative amounts of attention this small book pays to the different facets of a person’s life reflects the way we live. Work takes up the most time and mental energy for many of us. I have a job I love, but by the end of the day, I have scant energy to do much more than make dinner, do a few chores and fall into bed with a book, which I often fall asleep while reading. About seven or eight years ago, I wondered what it would be like to live life for a time without having my job be the centerpiece of how I spend my days. An old friend had taken a year off when she turned 50. A business consultant in her working life, she spent her year off learning how to write poetry. Another man I knew took his family, including two young children, to live for a year in Central America. Having worked since I was 16, I was curious what their experiences were and what life could offer with time to spend differently. Early this year, that notion began to take a more definite shape. My partner—an art professor—had been granted a sabbatical, which offered him some extended opportunity for European travel and research in countries that include Italy, Spain, Germany and France. An idea for a book had been germinating in my head for a couple of years, and the two of us began to talk in earnest about travel together that would allow me the time to write, him the time to research, and both of us the time to explore and learn together. This is my fifth year at the Council. While I knew that the trip and the time that Steve and I were contemplating was something I absolutely wanted to do, I also knew that the work I wanted to do for the Council wasn’t done, and if the board would have me return, that is what I wanted. They’ve granted me that wish, with an unpaid leave of absence that will begin on January 1, 2008 and have me returning on July 1. I’m thankful to the WCCF board members for their support of this decision. In most work settings, taking time away that isn’t paid vacation time most often translates into a forced decision to leave work that one may not be ready to leave. So, I appreciate their understanding of the value of taking time away from a life that is, as T.S. Eliot said, often “measured out…with coffee spoons,” but also believing that I have more to give to the Council. In order to do this, Jill Jacklitz has agreed to be the acting director at WCCF. Many of you know Jill as our highly competent and able deputy director who has worked for the Council for over 10 years. She’s looking forward to the work, and I’m very grateful for the capability, commitment and enthusiasm she brings. She can be reached at jilljacklitz@wccf.org or 608-284-0580, ext. 325. Also, our incredible staff continues to be the backbone of this organization, and they will work with Jill and the board to continue to advance our policy agenda on health care, economic security, safety and healthy development and high quality early education for children. Before I leave, there’s much to be done. We expect to have a lot of visitors at the art show that’s coming up this week in Milwaukee, “Art From the Inside.” I hope you’ll be among them on October 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the downtown Hyatt. We’re also doing a fall fundraising mailing, and I hope you’ll choose to support the Council’s work in an amount that’s significant to you. Additionally, on November 14 we’re hosting a luncheon with keynote speaker Dr. Bruce Perry, whose remarks, “What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us about Loss, Love and Healing,” will be delivered at our Child Policy Forum at the Concourse Hotel. Also, in November we’ll be completing our video to help expand the reach of Vision 2020. It will capture the stories and images of children and families affected by poverty and the practical solutions we can develop to eliminate child poverty. Finally, we’ll be finalizing with our board of directors our next set of strategic policy priorities, which will guide the Council’s policy work from 2008 to 2010. For more information on any of these events, please go to our website at www.wccf.org I would welcome hearing from you before I leave. You can reach me at celeson@wccf.org or 608-284-0580, ext. 302.
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