Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

Salutations, gentlefolk,


I'm sorry about the this impersonal greeting, but there's much to
say and little time to get it all written. I beg your
understanding.


Back at the beginning of September, we held the 2001 World Science
Fiction Convention here in Philadelphia. I took a new friend I'd
met there on a tour of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, etc.
Inspirational places, where in 1776 great men risked all security
to gain freedom, and in 1789 decided how much freedom to give up
to "provide for the common defense", "insure domestic tranquility"
and "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity".

During the tragedies of the next week, I was glad to have been
reminded of the greatness of their achievements - our heritage,
and more and more the heritage of all mankind - and "the times
that try mens' souls" that the Founding Fathers endured.


Sometime earlier this year, my father had one or more strokes,
which affected his memory and reasoning. In September and
October, he grew less and less connected with reality. The
doctors thought he might have an irreversible case of Alzheimers,
but after two months of hospital and nursing home treatment, he is
improving remarkably. We hope he'll be coming hope after the
first of the year.

I guess you could say that I've gotten my father back - and that
is my greatest Christmas present ever. I have many of you to
thank - not just for tangible help but for prayers and positive
energies sent in our direction - and this letter is but a small
token of my appreciation.

The moral of this story is that if there is anyone whom you want
to tell that you love, appreciate, or are thankful for - do it
now. I never expected to have a second chance.


I've had, also, to spend about half of these past three months in
Virginia with my parents, and thus I have left many projects
undone, borrowings unreturned, meetings unattended, and thanks
unsent. I'd like to beg forgiveness of everyone I've
disappointed.

As a small recompense, I did get to see the USS Enterprise round
Cape Henry on her way home from the war. _Imposing_.


But most of all, I'd like to wish every one of you a Happy
Christmas / Hannukah / Solistice / Ramadan / Kwanzza / whatever
else you want to celebrate, and I hope that, for you, 2002 will be
filled with health, happiness, prosperity, love, luck, and
lollipops !

And for those of you now in the struggle for justice, freedom nad
peace, may the God of Battles guide your weapons and bring you
safely home.


My physical address is likely to change in the very near future,
and perhaps my phone number with it, but I can be reached thru
Email at john.a.desmond.cgs80 AT alumni.upenn.edu


Yours always, John Desmond





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