APRIL 6, 1993

I just had a phone call from Heather in Woods Hole, as she travels to the Vineyard, to spend the night with a friend. Tomorrow with tear-filled eyes she will drive to that quiet spot where Phyllis is buried.
Jennifer will spend the day with her family, and with tear-filled eyes might remember that she was playing the piano for her mother, as the latter reached out and left this earth to touch the face of God. I will observe quietly and thank God that I had the joy of being married to her for almost 24 years, and to be father to Heather and Jennifer who remind me so very much of their "mom."

She died during Holy Week 1993, her Memorial Service was held in St. Augustine's Church on the day before Easter...but her shadow encompassed, and still does, so much more. On the hot day in Syracuse, NY when we were joined in marriage by our fathers' officiating, we knelt on a piece of drift wood from Otsego Lake, and Pathfinder Lodge where we met and fell in love.

The words imprinted were 'IF GOD DIDN'T CREATE ALL THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS DOWN HERE...
WHO DID?" They were written by Linda Hart. As we pause tomorrow, unashamedly with tears in our eyes, we shall rejoice that we had the joy and pleasure in sharing daily life with one of the most beautiful creations of God. And we shall be thankful...