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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Thanks so much for this important reflection, Rob.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> OE <oe-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Robertson Work via OE<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, September 4, 2018 5:15 PM<br><b>To:</b> Order Ecumenical Community <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net><br><b>Cc:</b> Robertson Work <warkers@msn.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Oe List ...] Thoughts on Your Two Celebrations<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div id=divtagdefaultwrapper><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'>Dear colleagues, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'>I hesitate to write you but feel somehow I should share a few thoughts. We are all aware that more and more of our colleagues are passing away. Many of us are in our 70s and 80s and that is a natural thing to have happen. Some of us are losing our spouses, most recently Judith and Bob. This is so hard. My heart and all our hearts go out to each person who is in the fresh depths of loss. I see Jann's name below; she lost her beloved Fred a few years ago. And I lost my beloved Mary 15 years ago; she was only 60. This month would have been our 50th anniversary. The missing never ends, because love is forever. I am attaching a reflection on dying that may speak to some of you. There is no remedy only continuing in love and gratitude. If we can, we reach out to touch others with our love. And then it is our time to become one with the Final Mystery. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'>In love,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'>Rob<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>