Thank you Judi. I've printed out your email and appreciate receiving it. Beret On Sat, Jan 24, 2026 at 1:01 PM Judi White via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

I was privileged to be invited to celebrate the annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. The weekend opened the door to being a community of Spirit again. The weekend also opened wounds still festring, yet covered carefully by scars hiding unhealed festering. But, that is a story for another day. This is the story I want to share today.

Journey to Atlanta to visit Al Lingo - Charles to most of us And celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. This, as I am reliving it at home.

My friend, a prolific storyteller, Is sharing many experiences Of working with Martin Luther King. I listen, regretting I am not recording them. They are first hand memories Of a decisive turning point in history. My friend had a role in organizing Bloody Sunday And the March to Montgomery two weeks later. In this retelling, I am living it with him. Its power still remains alive As history's document to radical change By a voice walking into the future With freedom and Justice in its words. Participating in the tribute to King Livestream from the Ebenezer Church Amazed by the passion for equanimity Still pulsing through this beloved community I am caught up with renewed inspiration To heal human suffering as a vast movement Of spirit surging in hearts Aspiring to liberate oppression. In a predawn morning sit earlier Alone in a circle of empty chairs I fill them with my inner circle Of teachers and guides All ancestors now Still supporting my determination To be the presence of peace And healer of suffering. Three director's chairs hold Larry Ward, Martha Crampton and Lyn Edwrds. To arm chairs on either side of them The Buddha in the personal of Thich Nhat Hanh And in the other Jesus, Nature's persona of the Cosmos We sit in the silence of the morning sun's arrival, New faces replacing another occasionally. I ask no questions and expect no dialogue. I simply breathe in the energy they are Just being here with me. Later, as the day unfolds, Feeling blessed to be so supported By such profound spiritual guides Teachers of wisdom for me to continue. Their legacy is my destiny For the few years I have left to use my voice.

*Judi White* *Author of Bodhi Leaves - an unfolding journey* * of depth reflection* _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

Reading your reflection, Judi, I recall a remarkable day I spent with Charles in a Murang'a District village in Kenya during the 1980s. Sitting around a jiko fire in the dark before retiring for the evening, I asked him about his days with MLK. It started slowly but then grew into one fascinating story after another. What I remember most were details he shared about the writing, editing, and publication of the "Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Years (actually decades) later, I read the Wikipedia entry about the letter and came across a note after a sentence inserted by an editor saying “citation needed.” Drawing upon what I recalled Charles telling me that night, I went looking online for published evidence to confirm both my memory and the “citation” sought by Wikipedia. I eventually found it in an interview with Wyatt Tee Walker and added it to the entry. It remains my one and only contribution to a Wikipedia article [footnote 32, but who’s counting?]. Thanks, Judi, for rekindling those memories! Terry

On Jan 24, 2026, at 13:00, Judi White via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

I was privileged to be invited to celebrate the annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. The weekend opened the door to being a community of Spirit again. The weekend also opened wounds still festring, yet covered carefully by scars hiding unhealed festering. But, that is a story for another day. This is the story I want to share today.

Journey to Atlanta to visit Al Lingo - Charles to most of us And celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. This, as I am reliving it at home.

My friend, a prolific storyteller, Is sharing many experiences Of working with Martin Luther King. I listen, regretting I am not recording them. They are first hand memories Of a decisive turning point in history. My friend had a role in organizing Bloody Sunday And the March to Montgomery two weeks later. In this retelling, I am living it with him. Its power still remains alive As history's document to radical change By a voice walking into the future With freedom and Justice in its words. Participating in the tribute to King Livestream from the Ebenezer Church Amazed by the passion for equanimity Still pulsing through this beloved community I am caught up with renewed inspiration To heal human suffering as a vast movement Of spirit surging in hearts Aspiring to liberate oppression. In a predawn morning sit earlier Alone in a circle of empty chairs I fill them with my inner circle Of teachers and guides All ancestors now Still supporting my determination To be the presence of peace And healer of suffering. Three director's chairs hold Larry Ward, Martha Crampton and Lyn Edwrds. To arm chairs on either side of them The Buddha in the personal of Thich Nhat Hanh And in the other Jesus, Nature's persona of the Cosmos We sit in the silence of the morning sun's arrival, New faces replacing another occasionally. I ask no questions and expect no dialogue. I simply breathe in the energy they are Just being here with me. Later, as the day unfolds, Feeling blessed to be so supported By such profound spiritual guides Teachers of wisdom for me to continue. Their legacy is my destiny For the few years I have left to use my voice.

Judi White Author of Bodhi Leaves - an unfolding journey of depth reflection _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net