[Dialogue] Gratitude

[nancygrow]

Thank you. Marilyn!
    
    This was almost as good as being there, and we appreciated it very much, as we do all your messages.

    Grace and peace,
            
        Nan Grow
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marilyn R Crocker 
  To: OE at wedgeblade.net ; Dialogue at wedgeblade.net 
  Cc: heidi_cloe at hotmail.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 8:45 PM
  Subject: [Dialogue] Gratitude


  Dear Colleagues,

  Joe and I experienced deep refreshment and gratitude this past weekend as we joined with colleagues in Canada to participate in a second celebration of the completed life of R. Brian Stanfield, who has been a beloved spirit presence to our family for almost four decades. Brian and Jeanette, Ben Crocker's godparents, cared for, guided and informed his journey since 1970 when we all were in the Sydney House.

  Duncan Holmes led a powerful liturgy that included movement songs; prayers; statements about Brian's four great lifetimes (cf Tagore), modelled after the fine celebration that took place in Australia; and witnesses from Brian's longtime colleagues as well as very recent acquaintances, some of whom had only come to know him through his writing.  Jeanette's presence for this event and her witness as caregiver to Brian during his last year of life was particularly special.

  We were struck by the ever-widening circle of people who have been nurtured/equipped/transformed by Brian's book, The Courage to Be and its leadership training extentions offered by ICA: Canada.

  Following the service Stan and Miriam Gibson hosted an evening of reconnecting --  light and serious conversation, hilarious reminiscing and profound reflection.  All of this was enhanced by the Gibsons' delightfully gracious presence, lovely home and family, and matchless Indian cuisine -- food those of us who live in the woods of Maine would die for! 

  We were encouraged as we learned about ICA:Canada's model of sustainability and program outreach -- a win/win construct that we hope will inform the ICA USA Board as it repositions its leadership direction.

  Especially Joe and I remembered and remembered -- in ongoing conversations with Jeanette and Heidi Holmes, who hosted us with great love over the weekend.  Top of mind were those beloved ones in Australia -- Brian and Rhonda Robins; Barry and Margaret Oakley; Jim and Isobel Bishop; Garnet and Lis Banks; Robyn and John Hutchinson; Jonathan and Jeanine Barker; David and Susan White; Ann and Rob Duffy; Katrin and Ian Ogilvy; Ray and Elaine Richmond; Rebecca, Kathryn and Peter Bishop and so many others from our time in the Sydney House.  

  And because so many of us gathered in that place had been assigned to India we remembered even more extensively:  Aisha, Madan, Jim & Judy, Bimrao, Manu, Miriam (as a teenager!), Vinod & Kamela, Cyprian & Mary,  Ellen, Sandra & Keith, Chokibaba, Singh, Brian & Helen, Sumanbai, Hausabai, Dondiram & Shankar.............

  Joe and I drove back to Maine "levitating" -- feeling deeply gifted, profoundly moved, and called again to serve.

  Thank you, Jeanette, Heidi, Duncan and ICA Canada!

  Grace, peace and love,

  Marilyn and Joe


  Marilyn R. Crocker, Ed.D
  Crocker & Associates, Inc.
  123 Sanborn Road
  West Newfield, ME 04095
  (207) 793-3711



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