Emory University
In memory of Dr. Robert Detweiler
Attn:
Jeffrey Prince
Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations for Emory College
Arts & Sciences Development
825 Houston Mill Road, Ste. 102
jprince @ emory.edu
404-727-4494 (Office)
404-217-2778 (Cell)
404-727-1805 (Fax)

The Emory Report will also have an article on Bob in the coming week’s issue.

I’ll be delivering the poem below at the memorial service in the morning. When I’ve had more time to process all of this a little more I hope to write another, but I hope that this will serve the purposes of the occasion.

Nexus

In Memory of Bob Detweiler

We gathered here today as one
Make an unlikely flock,
So here is just a simple rhyme
To honor our good doc.

A teacher he, who greeted us,
And beckoned from the door,
And for each question that was asked
Presented us four more.

Some Jupiter in him – and Pan -
A touch of Socrates,
St. Nikolas for splintered ones
To put each mind at ease.

Grandfather to my Adelheid,
The alpine horn he blew.
(He had some running joke – I think -
With every friend he knew).

Imagination disciplined
Is what he taught us best -
To wrestle with the text unique
To BE THERE was the rest -

And maybe most in stories full
Of shaming, war and pain,
The book shows more than it can know -
Complexity constrained.

To find – in flesh becoming word -
A testimony true,
Behind the fiction, structures live
Transforming me and you.

When each of us recalls that sense
At other vineyards found,
We fire – like the synapse jumps -
New paths and meanings ground.

Extraordinary gift it is
When such a man as this
Combines the voices that he knows
As nexus of the mix.

For bare survival’s not enough
There should be celebration,
And dignity – respect and grace -
An artful life – affection.

Good company he was to us
To read – religiously,
Where it was safe to share our souls -
Write better ways to be.

No heart have I for coiled abyss -
No crafted emptiness
Wrapped up in ghostly metaphors
– And echoes of the rest.

If like the birds now – each to each -
We cry so differently,
We still take comfort – back and forth –
through our sweet liturgies.

Your work is done (… say “Hi” to Donne).
I miss your twinkly eye.
I thank you for the chance to talk …
Good-bye – dear friend, good-bye.

See more wedding photos!

It is very sweet where you said:

Now, coming to life again, I’m married! And happy in my new house, sharing life with an excellent husband. This is my life page now. Let us see the future of us.

Now…get that Ph.D. done! (hugs)

You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

And always remember….when life hands you Lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!

Well, if 50% of it is true, that’s still pretty good. Thanks for sending, Barbara.

This reminds me of a song from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Something about being special and unique. It used to make me cry when I was little. Yes, here it is. You can listen to it too.

You’re Special – Fred Rogers

You are my friend
You are special
You are my friend
You’re special to me.
You are the only one like you.
Like you, my friend, I like you.

In the daytime
In the nighttime
Any time that you feel’s the right time
For a friendship with me, you see
F-R-I-E-N-D special
You are my friend
You’re special to me.
There’s only one in this wonderful world
You are special.

Almost makes me want to watch the show. Maybe we should have an adult version of something like this. A nice man sings to us once a day, just to say we’re special and unique. Then he uses puppets to model how to navigate emotions and problems and conflicts while respecting and caring for yourself and others. I’d watch it.

Maybe we could get the key members of the Bush administration to watch it…

and that thought effectively concludes today’s positive moment.