Dear Tweeters and Ruth Sullivan,

We heard the sad news of Patrick's passing earlier today, the first day of
Autumn. Although flush with southbound migrants and the promise of a rarity,
autumn's final blaze of color is a melancholy time for me. It's a time to
wait until the light comes again.... Our heart-felt thoughts go out to you in
this time of sorrow. Words come with much difficulty. We'd like to share a
Hopi prayer with you.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am
a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the
sunlight on the ripened gourd. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in
the morning, hush. I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled
flight. I am soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and
cry. I am not there. I did not die..."

Ruth, Patrick is all of those things. His spirit will live on. Peace....

George and Eva Gerdts
Bainbridge Island
_geopandion at aol.com_ (mailto:geopandion at aol.com)



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