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From:
Jyaphia Rodgers
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Sunday, September 28, 2014
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John Richard “Dick” Carter Sept 28, 2014
Welcome all. I am Jyaphia Christos-Rodgers, a long time friend of Dick and Barbara’s, part of their extended family. The first thing I want to say to you today is that for two reasons, we, all of us in this room, are kinfolk. First, we are all people connected to John Richard Carter, our beloved Dick. This is our opportunity to celebrate, honor, remember and express our connections with and affection for Dick.
And, secondly, we are all kin because we are all members of the human family. Science and history and many theologies, tell us that we are all descended from common ancestors. On a spiritual level, we are all kin and we are here to honor our brother Dick.
He was a person who was profoundly interested in his fellow human beings. In my relationship with Dick, I had a brother and friend who seemed to live and interact with the world with a precious curiosity. I found that being with him in community was an affirming, open-minded experience.
I firmly believe that such a mind and spirit does not just cease to exist when the body goes. And though I don’t know how all of these things work, I am certain that my friend Dick is in such a place that he hears us loud and clear.
So, I would offer two short verses that help us to contemplate his transition from life through death, where our relationship to Dick shifts from brother, father, husband, friend and kin, to ancestor. Dick, we bless your emergence into that Great Cloud of Witnesses that is the ancestors.
"Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep"
by Mary Elizabeth Frye
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a exists winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
“the lesson of the falling leaves
by Lucille Clifton
the leaves believe
such letting go is love
such love is faith
such faith is grace
such grace is god
i agree with the leaves.
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From:
Eddie & Mary Graham
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Thursday, September 18, 2014
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Dick was a good-hearted, kind, generous, and insightful man -- and a true Southern gentleman. He and I first got to know each other 40 years ago through Yokefellow personal growth workshops. I visited him often for the next two years and then moved to California. After that our friendship was based mostly on letter-writing.
Dick was an amazing correspondent. His letters were often 10-20 pages long, single-spaced, totally filling the pages, with no margins, punched out on an old manual typewriter. We kept in touch about what was happening in our personal lives, our joys and sorrows, lessons learned, the nature of God, insights into those odd human creatures, the challenges of being parents, books we had read, movies we had seen, and just about anything that had caught our attention.
Dick distinguished between his cabbie months when he drove a taxi and what he called his “Ivory Tower” periods. He valued both seasons – the interactions he had with humanity in his cab then in his “Ivory Tower” months enjoying his intellectual explorations and carrying on an extensive correspondence.
I’m very grateful to Dick, for our four decades of sharing, learning and loving friendship.
Eddie Graham
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