Dear Terry and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. I knew your Dad from bowling. His kindness and infectious smile are two qualities that have touched me. We used to talk quite a bit. He shared with me two writings that I have saved throughout the years. One is something he wrote on a "Lawrence Firefighters credit union "post it"! He called it, "My Prayer" and it is as follows: "It is my joy in life to find At every turning point of the road. The strong arm of a comrade kind To help me onward with my load. And since I have no gold to give, And love alone must make amends My only prayer is, while I live, God, make me worthy of my friends." The other piece is something your dad told me "struck him as a great code of living", Abou Ben Adhem- Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold:- Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the Presence in the room he said "What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow men." The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest." Terry, you may remember Deborah (Ruggieri) Hammar, you knew Deb and we attended Chamber meetings together. Deb passed on in 1999. I'm sorry I could'nt attend your Dad's celebration as I have a commitment in Marlborough today for 11:00. My prayers and thoughts are with you. -Mark Hammar
