Letter from a fellow contributor.
Here I sit at Smith & Wollensky (Columbus), the piano player kicking out sentimental favorites that seem to mean so much to everyone (Elton John, Billy Joel, etc).  And I remember fondly the great time shared among friends just a couple of weeks ago @ S&W Chicago.  And I think about all you have been through during the past year.

And I think about my mother who just turned seventy and spent the weekend with me watching, among other things, Dave Brubeck at my church.  My mother has a big heart, and that's worth something.

And I think about her mother, my grandmother, deliriously (seriously) in her mid-nineties.  I think about all the great ways she made me happy, of a time when putting a dash of love in a meal meant everything.  She must have a big heart and that is worth something, too.

And I think about my beautiful sister and how proud I am of everything she has ever done (all Big Ten in the High Jump, career woman when it mattered, volunteer at her kid's school when it really matters).  And she also (coincidently??) has a big heart, which I am convinced is worth something.

And I think about her daughter, my oldest niece, and of how hard she squeezes me whenever, absolutely whenever, she sees me--and there is no question that she has a big heart, one growing stronger every day.  And that must be worth something too.

And I think of her little cousin, my other niece, not yet even two years old.  I have every confidence she will have a big heart, even if she is a little bit bossy for her age.  And by now you have deduced that that must be worth something too.

Jim, I am grateful for all these great girls, and I wouldn't be me without each of them.  In their individual and collective honor, please accept my pledge to the 2 Big Hearts Foundation.  Go save some lives.

The check is in the mail.

All the best,

Mark D. Wyckoff