This note represents a “Thank You” for your many gifts of music given so freely to so many all these years, not to mention the inspiration imparted to the numerous individuals who have benefited greatly from reading your inspiring story told through this blog. I am hoping that the combination of antibiotics and hospice care will give you well-deserved relief from your pneumonia and allow you to rest comfortably. Although I have not faced what you do now, the following prayer of John Cardinal Newman has always given me solace in difficult times.

“May He support us all the day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done – then in His mercy – may He give us safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last. AMEN”

John Casey

During the 21 years I led the Concordia Singers, we closed every concert with “Peace I Leave With You” by Walter Pelz. Every year when evaluating the repertoire we did during that year, “Peace” always received the most votes. While Christ’s words, “Peace I leave with you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” may bring comfort all through life, they are especially true for you at this stage of your journey. Nancy and I send our love.

David Held

We are visiting friends in Green Valley, AZ, south of Tucson.

It is “monsoon Season” here, with thunder. lightning and 4+ inches of rain last evening.

You were thought of and thought of as Susan and I sat on the patio, watching what the weather gods were up to. In all, it yielded a strong sense of peace. We hope that you and your have a comforting sense of peace, as well.

As a steady blog fan over these years, I want you to know how much your writing has meant to me. I appreciated getting to know your local midwestern ecosystem. You also contributed much to the spiritual growth that Susan (an “unlabeled” Unitarian/Universalist) and I (returning strongly to my lifelong Christian Science center) have experienced over the past year.

I have always enjoyed Tom Ramsey’s closing “Jesus loves you and so do I” — now we’ll add “and so do Dick and Susan” to that nice phrase.

There is, I think, a hymn line that goes something like “Lo, I am with you always, watch and pray”.

With much love, we are with you alway(s),

dick and susan gale