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.

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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