Ultimate
Letter
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In the last issue of RALPH, we wrote a memorial to Barry Corbet, a friend and editor who had recently died.
Barry was injured in 1967 in a helicopter accident, and spent the last four decades of his life filming documentaries and writing biographies on other disabled.
For ten years, he was editor of Spinal Network Magazine --- now New Mobility.
Last week, when I returned from a winter journey, I found a letter he had written shortly before his death, directing his family to mail it after his funeral. As with everything Barry wrote, and saw, and did --- it is touched with an fine edge of poetry, and --- even more --- the hope that always pervaded his words and his life.
A very large part of any life is the friendships that develop over the years. As many of you already know, my life is now over. The reason you're getting this letter is that yours is one of the friendships I've treasured, and I want you to know that.
I'm a little saddened to be leaving a little earlier than expected, but feel no sense of tragedy. I've lived a lot longer than I ever could have or would have predicted thirty-six years ago after the helicopter crash. I have no fears for my children, who are all embarked on their own roads and doing it with astounding style and grace. I've had love overflowing, impassioned careers, a life of adventure and everything I've ever wanted. Nothing missed and no regrets.
So dear friends, enjoy the memories, keep them alive, then let them fade when it's time. Live on in peace, health, and happiness. Look for meaning where you can, and cherish mystery where you can't.
My love to all of you.