And Martha wrote a history of her family that she thought was going to  
be possibly 50 pages. I think it turned out to be about 200 pages.



On Jun 29, 2010, at 2:48 PM, "Loy, Dana" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>
> Thanks for sharing your poem-song with us Terry. Maybe when we're  
> all together you can sing it, and we can lift a toast to Martha. I  
> saw her obituary in the Norman paper today. Both parents were Greek  
> immigrants.
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Oklahoma Writing Project [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of  
> Phelps, Terry [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 9:16 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: OWP Founder Dies
>
> OWP People,
>
> Last week, OWP co-founder co-director Martha Mills died at 92.  Many  
> of you knew her and know what an incredible person she was.  I was  
> fortunate to be in the first OWP Summer Institute that Martha and  
> Francis Dunham directed in 1978.  As I tell our Congresspersons each  
> year in the NWP Spring Meeting in DC, that summer institute changed  
> my life.
>
> Besides my family Martha was my favorite person in the world.  For  
> years I've called her "my marvelous mentor mom Martha Mills."  I was  
> writing a song for her the past few months that I didn't finish in  
> time to share with her.  I share it with you now as a poem.  She was  
> the most inspiring person I've ever known.
>
>
> My Marvelous Mentor Martha
>
> If her life were a fable, the moral would be,
> “Every day is a gift to be lived fully.”
> Through hardships she found opportunity.
> What an inspiring model she has been for me!
> My marvelous mentor Martha.
>
> Though her doctor had told her at age 35
> She had maybe 4 or 5 years to survive,
> To see her son grow up was all that she wanted;
> The doctor’s prediction left her undaunted.
> My marvelous mentor Martha.
>
> She taught children, then brought other teachers together
> To learn from their peers to teach even better.
> Later years in a wheel chair didn’t dampen her spirit;
> She stayed current and continued to read, write and edit.
> My marvelous mentor Martha.
>
> Who knows what or if tomorrow will be?
> “Every day is a gift,” she said often to me.
> Still the ultimate teacher at age 92
> She humbly shared insights, wisdom and truths.
> My marvelous mentor Martha.
>
> Perceptive, supportive, encouraging, she
> Had a word of praise she employed frequently:
> “Marvelous,” she cheered with sincerity
> Uplifting, inspiring, reassuringly.
> My marvelous mentor Martha.
>
> Terry Phelps