As many of you know, my friend Earl Spielman passed away recently in Nashville, Tennessee. He died about the time my plane was making its final approach to Nashville, and at about that time I felt very strongly the need to write a prayer I could say to him at his bedside. Needless to say, I was unable to do that prior to his passing. The prayer was subsequently given a wonderful reading, however, by a most talented professor of theater arts at a gathering in remembrance of Earl. It has been suggested by more than one person that I forward this to those who might garner some benefit from it.

      To all of my friends my love and regards in the knowledge that as time goes by, we become even more precious to one another.

Angels at the Oars

Lord, please take this soul that has seen and felt so much,       Wash it and shine it; fix it up and such.       Take it to the center of all the things you start,       Let it join in joy and love your everlasting heart.       Give it lots of space to fly, 'cause it's a soul that soars       And lots of sea to sail with angels at the oars.       Throw in a fiddle formed of light years so a tune from Heaven's Gate       Will filter through the cosmos to cheer up those who wait.       I know I should be glad Lord, because he's going to you,       But I'm awful sad my God there's nothin' I can do       But wait until another day and a wistful memory       Restore to me the reason for the ways you set us free.