The view from Clockerville.

Hello All:
First of all to Tom Click - thanks for the update and the inspiring courage that is palpable from your words. You are in all of our minds and hearts.
Keep up the incredibly positive attitude Tom. It really will help and this whole experience will be a distant memory in due time. Kudos to Shelley, Ann, Kelly and Matt, Dave for all of your support to Tom.
Tom – I’ve always said that colons were overrated. So hang in there and thanks for the excuse to have a Manhattan in your and Shelley’s honor tonight.

Lorraine and I are missing Jeff and Chris tremendously and slowly but surely adjusting to the empty nest. However, our feelings are tempered by the fact that they are very happy at Loyola and doing great. They’re really enjoying Baltimore (or Ballmore as the locals call it). In addition to adjusting very well to the “college environment/experience” they both did very well academically in their first college semester in what is a challenging academic environment and we are really proud of them. Lorraine and I are going down to visit them in 2 weeks. The boys turned the big 19 on Feb. 1st.

The boys email addresses are: Jeff: janealon@loyola.com Chris: crnealon@loyola.com

Lorraine’s birthday was on Feb. 4 which we celebrated at Bullfinch’s in Sudbury with a quiet and enjoyable dinner.

I want to take the opportunity to do a shout out to Roberta and Terry in Fla. You are in our thoughts and prayers daily and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Well that’s it for now from Clockerville. We hope everyone is happy and having fun.

John and Lorraine

A letter from Tom to Jack

Hi Jacko: Thanks for the email; Sorry to hear about the rugby coaching situation. Talk to Patrick about whether his former coach who now works at Rugby Imports has any contacts in the Westfield area. You never know until you try! I see that Ralph Nader is speaking at Westfield on Weds. Feb 4. He will be entertaining and have an interesting perspective as to the state of the US and the World. Let me know if you go; I would be interested in hearing what he said. Sounds like you are settling into your 2nd semester schedule. Things at home are status quo. MaryCatherine's b-ball teams continue to perform in winning form with some great come from behind victories; very entertaining. Mom and I had Aunts Ann, Jane, Kathy, Liz, Lorraine, Uncles John and Ralph and Kathy's high school friend Alexandria for a wonderful dinner on Sat. night. Your mother out did herself with the meal and we had a roaring fire in the living room which everyone truly enjoyed. Matt is in AZ on a Corporate Communications gig; Patrick is flying to AZ on Friday to meet up with Matt and Jake; he and Matt will be driving back to Hopkinton on the 10th or 11th. Say a prayer for their safe journey. Patrick is steadfastly working on securing employment. He received a clean bill of health re his shoulder at his last doctor's visit. Callie's birthday is Sat the 14th; I am sure you will send her a bday wish. She started her coaching duties at RWU this past Sunday. MaryCatherine has been invited to FLA over the school vacation by the Smiths. Meghan Smith plays on both bball teams. She is very excited to be going. I am sure you have probably spoken with Andrew as he is back at school. If not he has told Mom his new roommate appears to be a good guy. Emmett's surgery was successful; the growth is benign; to some degree it has been entertaining to watch Emmett negotiate his daily activities with the cone around his neck. Seamus is Seamus enough said. I started some research on housing in Westfield and the greater Westfield area; if you can see if you are permitted to post a flyer(s) around the campus for off campus housing beginning in Aug/Sept when ever the school year starts. You never know who may have connection. I'll let you go. Do your best. Keep smiling.

Love Dad

Update from Tommy Click

First, let me say thank you to everyone for all of the cards, calls, thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

I had surgery last Monday 1/26 to remove my entire colon. The purpose of this surgery to cure the Ulcerative Colitis we've been dealing with for the past 8 years. Surgery cures this disease forever and the time was right.

Because of Aunt Jane's wonderful recommendation, we built a relationship with Dr. Ron Bleday, Head of Colon Surgery at Brigham and Women's, over the past 3 years so we had Dr Bleday perform the procedure. From day 1, he has been amazing. Very confident that the timing and my current health situation was right for the surgery, so we we've been comfortable all along. The surgery went well, so well I only needed to spend the minimum 4 days in the hospital afterwards. I got home Friday 1/30 and have been resting comfortably since.

Shelley has been a true savior in this whole thing. Ryan has been sick and I am basically useless so she is really bearing the brunt of this whole thing so far. She's the best. My mom and sister and brother and everyone have been great offering to help in any way they can. We feel so lucky to have each other, and everyone around us.

Anyways, my recovery consists of a ton of rest, no lifting of any kind, no driving, limited exercise, limited work, etc. (Beer and Dry Manhattan's are recommended in my recovery oddly enough - ha!) Basically, I'm useless for the next 3-4 weeks as I build up my strength and abdomen muscles again. (right now, it's difficult to even roll over). But, every day will get better as long as I stay somewhat active, walk around, eat right, and not push it. Also, I am on a new diet as I re-train my digestive track. It's not too far from my old diet, so that adjustment isn't that bad. The surgeon and his team are very positive on my recovery thusfar so it's encouraging. I have a follow up appointment on 2/18, then will find out when my second surgery is (most likely end of March), and then this will truly be behind us in time for Michael's arrival, and the summer. In the meantime, we'll be using this time to recovery fully, spend time with Ryan and get ready for Michael. Please feel free to give us a call anytime or shoot me an email. Again, thanks to everyone for all your warm wishes. Thanks to Shelley and my family for everything you do for me each day. I'll be back on my feet and back to my old self in no time. (Better even, as Colitis will be behind us forever).

Thanks,
Tom

Kudos for Kathy!

Congratulations to Aunt Kathy for her recent award. We all know how hard she works on behalf of her clients and it is great to see that others recognize that as well. Here is the news item from the Metrowest Daily News.

Movers and shakers for Dec. 21
The MetroWest Daily News

Hopkinton attorney Mary Kathleen Nealon was recently presented the Citizen of the Year Award by BayPath Elder Services Inc. at the organization's 31st annual meeting held at the Indian Meadows Country Club in Westborough.
She was recognized for her efforts on behalf of area elders and their families.
Nealon has been active in the elder services network for more than 28 years and has practiced as an elder law attorney with the firm of Nealon & Nealon for the past 17 years.
She has been a presenter at Governors' Annual Conferences on Aging in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine, the National Council on Aging and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She served as president of BayPath from 2004 to 2006.
Based in Framingham, BayPath serves more than 1,150 home care clients in 14 MetroWest communities.

From Jeanne

Preparing for a snowshoeing tour in Bethel, ME
Cold but fun.
Love to all,
Jeanne and Tim

From Ann Click

Tom had his operation yesterday so he is on day one of his recuperation. His surgeon said it couldn't have gone better. Now he will stay at Brigham's until the end
of the week Fri, Sat or Sun than home to heal and relax for 6 - 8 weeks.
He will then go back in for the "takedown" (reverse) surgery after that
period. Then he will be healing again and back on his feet in time for
the arrival of Baby Michael around Memorial Day.

I am going to visit Roberta and Terry leaving on Sun, March 1st which is
also the day we are celebrating Ryan's 1st birthday. I will visit for a
wk and return on Sat Mar 7th. Already, I wish my stay with them can be
longer, but as many of you know my assistant town clerk Maxine is
retiring after 30 years. Mom hired Maxine so she could go to a BC
function game or something that John was having. That was the beginning
a wonderful team relationship for the both of them. Then Maxine
gracefully pulled me the early days as Town Clerk. She is a wonderful
person and I couldn't have had a better partner all these years. Keep
you all posted so you can send wishes to Maxine around March 31st her
official retirement date.

Family Email list!

I've created a permanent link on the right to a clickable list of family email addresses.

At the top of the list is a link that should allow you to send an email to everyone.

Please check it out and let me know if I've made any mistakes. I'm also missing a few people. Please help me if you can.

Thanks

More Polar Bears! -Taking the Plunge with the L Street Brownies

Ten courageous people taking the plunge are
Uncle Tom Nealon
Cousin Dave Click
Cousin Stephen Edwards
Friend Jerry Hanna
Friend John French
Cousin Pat Nealon
Friend Josh Hanna
Friend Dave Ballas
Aunt Liz Edwards
Cousin Peter Edwards

Temperature was 11 Degrees with a wind Chill of 0 Degrees.

After the plunge everyone gathered at the L Street Tavern and had a great time.

Happy New Year

Polar Bears!

Monument Beach Polar Bear Club swims on New Years Day at the Cape! Brave participants were Annette, Joe, Allie, Bob, RJ and Mary! Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Nealon Girls perform at First Night Worcester!

Mary and Leslie performed with the McInerney School at the DCU Center (Worcester Centrum) on New Years Eve. They did great!