I'm so sorry for your loss, Terry, and grateful for the foundation your mentor laid. Kathy Sent from my iPhone On Jun 28, 2010, at 2:35 PM, Janis Cramer <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > And Terry, > How lucky she was to have you as a constant, loving friend. > > Janis > > From: "Phelps, Terry" <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Mon, June 28, 2010 9:16:04 AM > 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