And the people stayed home.  And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.  And listened more deeply.  Some meditated, some prayed, some danced.  Some met their shadows.  And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed.  And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.

This is a poem written by Kitty O’Meara, a retired teacher, who lives in our community, to help her process the anxiety she felt as she watched the COVID-19 pandemic unfold.  Her poem went viral causing Oprah Winfrey’s Magazine to label her the poet laureate of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I want to thank all of our TEMPO Madison members who are helping our community deal with this pandemic.  From the health care professionals, to the caretakers, to the scientists, to the educators, to the non-profit leaders, to the government officials, to the community leaders, to the small business owners, to the large business executives, to the artists, to the parents, and to all of us who stayed home in order to help flatten the curve, I appreciate everything our TEMPO Madison members have done and sacrificed for our community.  I also know that you will all be there when we have the opportunity to rebuild and heal.

I am disappointed that we will not be together for the April luncheon.  I had planned to take time during my remarks to announce our new Executive Administrator, Erin Fabrizius of Blumenfeld and Associates LLC.  Erin started working with TEMPO Madison on April 1, 2020.  She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism with distinction.

Erin has extensive organizational experience that includes planning legislative advocacy days, press conferences, association meetings and summits.  In addition to her work at Blumenfeld & Associates, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for NewBridge Madison, which provides services to older adults living in the greater Madison area.  We look forward to introducing you to Erin.  We are confident that, with Erin’s assistance, support and leadership, TEMPO Madison will be able to continue to offer exceptional programming, interesting events, quality service, and exciting initiatives for our members.

Just a reminder that we will not see you for the April luncheon or any previously announced events in April.  We are working to reschedule the New Member Orientation and the Leadership Series Breakfast.  As soon as we have new dates to share, we will do so. In the interim, please take care of yourself and your families.