I have lost a dear friend...

[Padraig18]

1928 - 2003

May he rest in peace, and in his flesh may he see God. In nomine Patri, et Filli, et Spritu Sancti. Amen.

:cry:

[Maeve]

1. Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord

And may perpetual light shine upon him.

My sympathies for the loss.

[juajen]

2. I am so sorry

I am sure there are many, many Americans grieving with you.

[Padraig18]

3. I truly loved and admired him.

I'm just devastated. :cry:

[childslibrarian]

4. He was a wonderful man

My sympathy for your loss. He will be missed.

[Padraig18]

6. Thank you.

:hug:

[Bertha Venation]

5. I'm sorry, Padraig.

[Padraig18]

7. Thank you.

:hug:

[xchrom]

8. ah -- that is sad.

bless him -- what a dear man -- so smart.

[SOteric]

9. My condolence for the pain of loss.

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.

Gloria Patri,
et Filio,
et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio,
et nunc,
et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.


God grant you peace, Paddy. :hug:

[Padraig18]

12. Thank you.

:hug:

[sfecap]

10. Sorry, Padraig...

Paul Simon was a wonderful man. Our country and our world is a better place because of his work here.

Godspeed, Senator Simon...

[Padraig18]

11. He took an interest in me a few years ago...

I have no idea why, but we met at a Democratic function and hit it off. He supported me in my studies, and he came to both my high-school graduation and my naturalization ceremony. He wrote me regularly, and I him, and his letters were awesome---- to be read again and again, and savored like a fine wine or a good book.

He was that particular mix of friend, gentle critic and uncritical, unconditional love that we often seek but seldom seem to find. I shall miss him more than I know how to say. I just can't stop crying--- every time I think I'm done, I start again.

:cry:

[Padraig18]

13. Some random quotes:

"We have problems here at home and we ought to be reaching out across the borders of race, ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation and whatever divides us and we have to work together. Leaders ought to do that."

"Lead in reaching out to others within our nation. We need to reach out across the barriers of race, and religion, and ethnic background, and sexual orientation, and every other barrier that separates Americans--to reach out and make sure opportunity is here for everyone."

"Almost one-fourth of our children are living in poverty. No other western industrialized nation has anything close to that figure. This is not an act of God. There is no divine intervention that says children in America have to live in poverty more than children in Italy, or Denmark, or Great Britain, or Canada, or other western industrialized nations. It a result of flawed policy. It is a result of policy that panders to those who make campaign contributions rather than to needs . . . I want you to challenge us and to reach out to people within our nation. When we say the pledge of allegiance, we say 'one nation, under God, indivisible.' We ought to be achieving that goal and I want you to help us achieve it..."

-Senator Paul Simon, 1997.

He was such a thoroughly decent man... :cry:

[UrbScotty]

14. "Government is not the enemy..."

"...Government is simply a tool that can be used wisely or unwisely."

[Missy Vixen]

15. I am so sorry

As others have said, Godspeed, Paul Simon. You'll be missed.

Julie

[Padraig18]

16. Aye.

Godspeed, Paul. :cry: