I have news that is both wondrous, and rather sad. I'll get the sad part out of the way, first.
For the foreseeable future, Our Gracious Queen will be unable to actively participate in our forums. Her participation here will be limited to responding to her private messages, and perhaps posting a responsive comment when people mention her in a post. The reason is simply that she has a new job that demands over 70 hours per week of her time, and often much more.
But that's part of the good news. In early June, she was selected to be the Chairperson of a private philanthropic Foundation that stands to do enormous good. I cannot disclose the name or even the specific nature of her Foundation, but I will say that it involves helping the down-trodden with educational and medical benefits, with a scope that is truly breathtaking.
More good news that probably won't surprise you. Her compensation for her position is quite generous, and yet, she is using over 85% of it to help families in need. She is doing so in a direct and immediate way that is completely separate from her Foundation. In the interest of good taste, and out of respect for her wishes, I'll not disclose particular details. Let it suffice to say that she is bringing light where there was darkness, and hope where there was despair.
Why have I written all this? Beyond the consideration of informing the AGEod community of the reasons for her prolonged silence, it is so that you may draw inspiration from "Our Gracious Queen", even in her absence.
I recently overheard a conversation between Havely and her father, that rather sums up her ethos.
He asked her why she was "wasting" so much money.
She responded, "Isn't it obvious? To help others! To do good! ...And to help others to do good!"
To those who would say that this is noble, but naively idealistic, I'll simply say that she's been doing "naively idealistic" things for her entire life... and I cannot deny their impact, pragmatist though I may be. Now that my wife can do "naively idealistic" things on a grand scale, I cannot wait to see what happens.
Help others.
Do good.
And help others to do good.
Your wish is my command, oh Gracious Queen.
Dixicrat
