[Oe List ...] FW: Fred's last breath

[Nancy Lanphear]

Dear Bill and Marianna,

What a lovely piece of poetry.  Thank you for sharing it.

Love,

Nancy

2010/9/12 Marianna Bailey <wmbailey at charter.net>

> The earth opened
> in the spring, opens
> in all springs. Nameless,
> ancient, many-lived,
> we reach through the ages
> with the seed.
>
> "Requiem" by Wendell Berry
>
> Dear Nancy and Family,
>
> We celebrate with you Fred's completed life. We were awed when we viewed
> the video of the gardens he designed at Litibu. We are sure all of his work
> in gardens and community will reach through the ages.
>
> Grace & Peace,
> Marianna and Bill
> On Sep 10, 2010, at 5:51 PM, Janice Ulangca wrote:
>
> Dear Nancy, dear Lamphear family, dear Songaia colleages and other friends,
> dearest Fred,
>
> Just now I looked up again the description of ALS - amyotrophic lateral
> sclerosis.  A journey so daunting that most would not want to think about
> it, much less take it on.  And yet Fred and Nancy you did it - with such
> incredible care and depth and dancing - that you are both a heroic sign to
> me of the glory of life.  I didn't spend a lot of time with you "in person"
> but Nancy's caring personal e-mails and insightful messages on the list serv
> allowed me to share your lives.  My tears now are those of great
> thanksgiving for both of you, and even more amazement at the sign you
> are. Thank you for sharing Fred's last blog. If Fred, with his limits, was
> able with your support to rejoice in the universe with such a spirit - then
> I am beckoned to be more, no matter what life hands me.
>
> Tenderest care from the Mystery for you all at this time of grief and
> exultant gratitude.
>
> Janice
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Kenneth <kgillgren at igc.org>
> *To:* oe at wedgeblade.net
> *Sent:* Friday, September 10, 2010 10:34 AM
> *Subject:* [Oe List ...] FW: Fred's last breath
>
> Nancy sent this email last night to a group of folks who have been studying
> The Universe Story with Fred.
>
> And here is Fred's last blog entry, posted four days ago:
> http://elderfred.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/an-amazing-summer/
>
> Grace & Peace,
>
> Ken Gillgren
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* nancylanphear at gmail.com [mailto:nancylanphear at gmail.com] *On
> Behalf Of *Nancy Lanphear
> *Sent:* Friday, September 10, 2010 2:10 AM
> *To:* Randy Morris; Edith Kusnic; Kenneth; Jim Clarke; Chuck and Jean
> Fowler
> *Subject:* Fred's last breath
>
> Dear Ones,
>
> I am writing this evening not being sure how life will be in the morning.
> Fred has spent the last hours with great difficulty in breathing and
> realizing that his life has taken a dramatic shift.  Knowing that the end of
> his life was near, he spent all evening (with his bipap mask on to aid his
> breathing) talking with individual family and community members. The
> community sang, Fred joined in.  Our family was present with the exception
> of Noah (in Norway), Ilaria (in Scotland) and Rachel (in Montreal).  Ilaria
> and Noah were with us through Skype.
>
> Then about 11:10 our children took Fred to bed.  He did his regular leg
> exercises, counting as usual to be sure that his care-givers were doing the
> correct number, then we gave him some pills to help his breathing.  At
> 11:25, Fred took his last breath and let go of his physical body, it was a
> very peaceful death.  Fred had finished his work!
>
> I will miss him terribly.  It has been a long, difficult journey over the
> last 3 years but Fred has always been faithful to his decision, to accept
> what life had given him and to live fully within those limits.
>
> I know you were planning a study group meeting here tomorrow.  Fred was
> hoping to be with you.  You are welcome to come by if that works for you.
> Otherwise, we will be in touch with you regarding a memorial service at a
> later date. I hope you know how much you friendship meant to Fred.  Your
> gatherings were a highlight in his life.  We love you all.
>
> Nancy
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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