<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">An edited recording of George’s Memorial held last Saturday is now available on this YouTube link: <a href="https://youtu.be/K-kkIbccq5c" class="">https://youtu.be/K-kkIbccq5c</a>. It is 47 minutes long. <div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Additionally, please find below (1) a link to Larry Ward's spirit reflection that couldn't be inserted into the
zoom program in a timely fashion, (2) Dick Alton's spirit reflection that couldn't
be heard due to technical problems with his audio, and (3) stories and comments received after the event. Finally, there are (4) links to the music that was a part of the Memorial. They were not included in the edited version for YouTube due to "zoom distortions.”</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Take care,</div><div class="">Terry<br class=""><!--EndFragment--><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">++++++++++++++++++++<span style="color: windowtext;" class=""> </span><div class=""><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:windowtext" class="">From Larry Ward</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Hello
Beloved Ones<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">A
few words of gratitude about George West: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EE_rdJQSROxu55TiGdQBeuwvbKYvXITk/view?usp=sharing" class="">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EE_rdJQSROxu55TiGdQBeuwvbKYvXITk/view?usp=sharing</a> <o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Grace
and Peace,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">++++++++++++++</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">"What I planned to say" about <b class="">Death</b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext" class=""> </span>by
Dick Alton, Chicago:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">I would like to take a moment to reflect on death- it seems
to be my constant companion. In fact, I am fascinated with death. Want to share
two reflections with you today. First, although Larry Ward could not be with
us, I would like to share some of his new book and then a final reflection.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Just read Larry’s new book, “America Racial Karma”, at the
end of the book he talks of practices that enables one to act with integrity in
the present. He starts every day when he wakes up with the <b class="">Buddha’s 5
Remembrances. </b>He reads the 5 lines and after each line takes a breath.
I am going to read a line and if you could take a short breath afterwards.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol;color:windowtext" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">I am of the nature to grow old. Breath<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol;color:windowtext" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">I am of the nature to have ill health. Breath<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol;color:windowtext" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">I am the nature to die. Breath<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol;color:windowtext" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature
to change. Breath<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol;color:windowtext" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">My actions are my only belongings. Breath</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">In the face of great loss, no words convey the sadness we
feel for those who loved George West. Yet we dare to say Death is neither a
curse nor a blessing, an end, or a beginning, but only that it is a wondrous,
frightening and redemptive reality. It is a step into the Unknown Unknown. It
is sacred, and it is good. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Even though Death is universal, it is also unique---because
every life is unrepeatable. It arrives in its own time and is always shocking,
even when it is anticipated. It can be painful or peaceful, timely or not,
tragic or strangely welcome, or all of the above at once. We don’t choose the
manner or the moment and can only respond by acknowledging its finality and
trusting what was, is and will be. We go on. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Whether you celebrate death as a Home Going or as a finality
that prevents you from being with your loved one physically, acknowledging
death is important. We accompany you in your grief. We pray for you in your
journey. We hope for your experience of being accompanied by the Divine Spirit.
May it sustain you in your sorrow. Our hearts are with you. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:windowtext" class="">+++++++++++++++</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">From Marilyn Crocker</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.5pt"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";color:windowtext" class="">What a lovely tribute to the life and
service of George. I, like Martha, remember the power of George’s Spirit
Conversations. Many of us learned the process well enough to lead
meaningful reflections and touch on “the profound” with topics like “tears,“ or
“fire”, or “birth,” but George was able to “bleed profound meaning” out of
something as inanimate as “a pentel pencil”. The latter was a tool of the
mission he carried in his shirt pocket always, loaded with the .7 size lead —
just perfect for building 4 X 4 charts. Another memory that holds for me
his willingness to experiment to create "something out of nothing” was his
hydroponic garden on his porch in Litibu, laden with juicy tomatoes, hanging
upside down. And finally, I am embarrassed to admit like others, I can’t
remember the year George and Donnamarie were married and I should, because Joe
and I were asked to stand in as “his parents” and give the family blessing, as
it were. This was comical to me, because although Joe was 5 years older than
George, I was 10 years younger. From then on I felt I had permission to
say, “Now son, I need to share this with you…..” to which his eyes would
twinkle and he would quietly chuckle.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.5pt"><span style="color: windowtext;" class="">++++++++++++++++</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.5pt"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";color:windowtext" class="">From Karen Snyder: <o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank
you for taking the leadership on providing this reflective time together in
celebrating George’s life!! He was such an influence on my life in our
Litibu years together. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Here
are some links to add to the compiled memories from the Memorial Service today.<b class=""> </b><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b class=""><i class=""><u class="">What More Could We Ask For? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></u></i></b>Donnamarie West’s book:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://wedgeblade.net/files/archives_assets/16987.pdf" class="">https://wedgeblade.net/files/archives_assets/16987.pdf</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:
auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b class=""><i class="">Creating Community: Finding Meaning
in the Place We Live.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b>George
West’s book: <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://wedgeblade.net/files/archives_assets/22231.pdf" class="">https://wedgeblade.net/files/archives_assets/22231.pdf</a><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:
Symbol" class="">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class="">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i class="">Their mission news article:</i> <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://wedgeblade.net/files/archives_assets/21391.pdf" class="">https://wedgeblade.net/files/archives_assets/21391.pdf</a><o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> ++++++++++++++<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">From
Lynda Cock:<o:p class=""></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">When we were interning in Chicago, we moved into the Wests
apt. at 314 S. Trumbull. (I think that was the address….near the
Preschool). It was pretty rough, but a move up from the bunk beds and a desk in
the dorm side of the building (above Room E side). They had knocked
a hole in between studs with some remodeling in process, giving Johnny a little
space of his own. We had a big double sized loft bed with desks underneath
and a sofa with broken springs that practically sank to the floor. But
with their Picasso print of the Blue Man, I thought we were in Hippy
Heaven. I think they had left for the Urban Academy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Later John was in Cano Negro with George for the
consult. We remember George as a very quiet man, full of wisdom and care
for local people. His book on community building was a real gift to us
all.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">+++++++++++++++++</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">From Jack Gilles:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">I have two stories to tell about George. One is about our
conversations together and the other is about Transportation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">No one spoke more with George as I did for all the years he
was here. The fact that he enjoyed pipes was revealed to me as I often visited
while smoking mine. He would comment on it and I would inform him a bit of the
history of that particular one and the tobacco I smoked.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="">Our conversations were either one of two topics; either
Theology or Politics. George was always reading a book. Usually it
was a book of one of the sources we had through RS-I file <span style="caret-color: rgb(186, 0, 0);" class="">Bonhoeffer</span> or
Tillich pr One of JWM's talks from his two volume set. I would listen
to his insights and then comment on them myself. We always enjoyed the
discussions. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">The second area of conversation was Politics. He was a fan on
Rachel Maddow, and I watched Morning Joe.. This was the long run-up to the 2000
election that led to Donald Trump. Right up until the result was in I was
sure that Hillary Clinton would win and he kept worrying that Trump would. Like
so many Liberals I thought that Hillary would come through it. But she didn't.
I had to apologize to George for being wrong and we would talk and talk about
it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">The second item about George was his transportation. George
was a horseman. In the early days of building his house he owned a horse and
kept it in the village. Finally he had to give it up as it was costing him
to much!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">His second mode of transportation was a four wheeler
that Mike Stringer gave to him many years ago. Right up to the year of his
death George would find time to use the 4 wheeler to go and get thigs from
the Village. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Finally there was the car, a 1985 Oldsmobile made in 1988. I
believe Donna Marie's father gave it to them. George babied that car every time
he drove it. It had such good shocks that the bumpy road had no affect on. We
called it the "Float-mobile" . As George aged he used it less and
less until finally he had to sell it to the mechanic in Higuera.. It is still
sitting their waiting for repair. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">That is all I have to say about this topic.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">+++++++++++++++</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">From Bill Schlesinger:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">George
was – I think – my first ‘First Teacher’ in RS-1 ‘out.’ I was probably 23
or 24 and feeling pretty young. George said something like, “Fix yourself
in your mind that you’re 35.” I still do!</p><p class="MsoNormal">++++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Here is a link to the two songs Lela sang during the
memorial:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/k89TXCPZVYGYpqg87" class="">https://photos.app.goo.gl/k89TXCPZVYGYpqg87</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext" class="">Below is a link to the instrumental music at the end of George's
memorial from the Anders Widmark Trio, </span>"Lov, Ära Och Pris:" <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/1gu3jSUEeEf0BXmdsk23HF?si=48cacadb41244f8e" class="">https://open.spotify.com/track/1gu3jSUEeEf0BXmdsk23HF?si=48cacadb41244f8e</a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p class=""> </o:p></p>
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