Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A Foundation of Transformation
Gently, quietly with a primordial certitude, the river travels through Old Town. It has done so long before there was a city and possibly will long after. But we never doubt its constance and its presence. We take it for granted, we travel by without a glance, we subtly accept its gentle touch, while failing to express our gratitude.
That is how our dear friend traveled the streets and built the vision of Old Town. He did not roar and thump his chest. He simply, quietly and passionately encouraged the dream that the area could become. He let flow his generosity and kindness, not for it to be recognized but so that it could nurture and feed the embers of hope, community, art and friendship. He fed us from a well which always seemed deeper and never once seemed to be diminished. He cultivated, with an imperceptible touch, the dreams of others and made them the dreams of his home and community.
Yet often we simply took for granted his monumental, quiet support and kindness. We felt and knew that his presence made things better and gave us wing to fly even higher. We didn't need to look to know that he would be the first cheering our pursuit or consoling our failures. He was ever there to be a base from which to leap and explore.
Robert, this does little to explain how much you have done for me, our community and Old Town, but I hope you hear our voices raised in thanks for having known you in our lives. You have made my life better for knowing a truly gentle, kind and giving person and hoping that some day I could measure up to such a standard. You have given us a community that we will endeavor to make worthy of your dreams.
That is how our dear friend traveled the streets and built the vision of Old Town. He did not roar and thump his chest. He simply, quietly and passionately encouraged the dream that the area could become. He let flow his generosity and kindness, not for it to be recognized but so that it could nurture and feed the embers of hope, community, art and friendship. He fed us from a well which always seemed deeper and never once seemed to be diminished. He cultivated, with an imperceptible touch, the dreams of others and made them the dreams of his home and community.
Yet often we simply took for granted his monumental, quiet support and kindness. We felt and knew that his presence made things better and gave us wing to fly even higher. We didn't need to look to know that he would be the first cheering our pursuit or consoling our failures. He was ever there to be a base from which to leap and explore.
Robert, this does little to explain how much you have done for me, our community and Old Town, but I hope you hear our voices raised in thanks for having known you in our lives. You have made my life better for knowing a truly gentle, kind and giving person and hoping that some day I could measure up to such a standard. You have given us a community that we will endeavor to make worthy of your dreams.
