Dear Marilyn,

When I heard of Joe’s death, I experienced a sharp pain  of sadness and loss.  What I experienced was but a shadow of what you and the boys (and their families) must be feeling.

When I think of Joe, I think of strength, solidarity, dependability, and depth.  Whenever we were together, sharing assignments, I knew there was a bond between us that guaranteed that there was solidarity of commitment to what needed to be said and done.  

When Gordon Harper was in his last days, he shared with us some of his thinking.  He said that he decided that his death was simply his last assignment .  He said that he was going into this last assignment knowing that he was the right person in the right place to do the necessary deed.  He said that he trusted the Mystery: the Mystery knew what was necessary.

I know Joe was faithful to his calling to the very end.  Joe’s life was one great assignment to which he was totally committed.

Grace and Peace to you, the boys, and their families, and to us all,

David Scott

From Margaret:

I need to speak from my heart also, Marilyn.  This message about Joe is, for me, a paradigm of the greatness of the Institute’s colleagues who have so faithfully, so absolutely stood in this staunch solidarity—in your commitment to ‘what needed to be said and done’.  I cherish each of you for who you have always been and for who you are as we gather in Spirit to celebrate Joe.  His life  is the right symbol for all of your lives and the greatness that abides in you all.

And so I add my wish to you, Marilyn, and to all:

Grace and Peace.

Margaret