Oh my, what a lucky child you are, little Hazel. You've been blessed by the best! Unlike your car seat, those arms need no warnng labels. I wonder, Donel, did you keep track of how many babies you held over the years?

On quite a different subject, I am reassured by the name of your Hospice nurse. I am confident she will be both angel and shepherd. Blessings on her as she joins the journey. We out here appreciate her expertise, her caring and her physical presence.

Thinking of you a lot.

Love,
Nancy

Oh, if only Hazel COULD tell us about this process of transitioning from one stage of our life to the next! Seeing this BEAUTIFUL baby reminded me of a phrase in the letter from our dear family friend, Bob Midgley, that you read at my Dad's memorial so many years ago. Bob always talked about moving through the "birthgate of death" and beginning the next stage of our life much like a newborn child begins this stage... with total trust and reliance on the unconditional love and support of his/her parents. So while we are hesitant, yes even maybe a bit frightened by taking the step through this birthgate, (don't you wonder what Hazel really experienced during this time?), the knowledge that God is always there, always surrounding us, always within us, can give us courage and hope that we will emerge whole and contented into the next life. All we have to do is look at Hazel's picture in her carseat to have that confirmed! My prayer for this day, as it has been for every day of your dance, Donel, is that you and your family will be embraced and strengthened by the warm, loving arms of God... just as you demonstrated in holding Hazel.

Yes Donel, you and Marilyn are the most radiant new baby holders on the planet! I secretly believe this influences your ministry....a job blessing babies...embracing spiritual purity as it first enters earth zone....affirming your own optimistic faith and wonder, which you give to the world.

The shine on your face in this photo reflects the softest spot in your big heart.

I know personally that you & Marilyn have scheduled your time around many impending births, to see the new babies in your extended family.

Twenty years ago you arrived in perfect time to coach me through delivery, a bonus you hadn't planned on. I'll always see your smiling faces as I dug my fingers into your arm through the last hours of labor, with smiling Marilyn taking pictures. You obviously didn't know what I was experiencing...or you would not have beamed so profusely!

Idea! Maybe Now, Again, you still don't know what I am experiencing... about your leaving, how it is gripping my heart, startling my awareness of my life, and you are still beaming with steadfast faith, curiosity, and assurances! This transition thing...amazing to allow the experience. eh?

What a guy you are Donel! It's all over your face in that picture with Hazel. Bless you both. Love, Jennifer

When I visited you in Bellingham in 1998, I lucked into a baptism weekend at your Church. I can still picture the sunny gathering space where Donel bounced around with babies on his hips as he continued to preach. I remember the service as noisy and perfect.

Donel,

The happy photo of you holding little Hazel confirms something I noticed the last time I saw you in church -- you're glowing! I mean literally glowing, as though that winged thing inside you is growing brighter and brighter still. Is this the spirit rising? It's a wonderful privilege not only to hear and read about your trusting openness to this dance, but to witness its effects as well.

Murphy & I were both intrigued by your discussion of the chakras a few entries back, and I'm especially delighted to learn of their correlation to the sacraments. Perhaps healing touch is "chakramental" therapy --?

Talking about babies and sacraments naturally brings me to baptism, and baptism to the question of a community of faith -- and on that point I want to thank you, Donel, and tell you how much you've meant to our whole family. Your intellect and authenticity and aura of quiet joy hooked this little band of reluctant church-goers and kept us coming back until, lo and behold!, we found ourselves enmeshed in a wonderful community. And we feel very blessed to be so. I'm only sorry that we didn't make our commitment soon enough for you to be the one to baptize Max and Lucy. But when that time comes, I know you'll be there with them and with us, part of that warm, bright spirit that constantly gathers us in.

We're checking the blog regularly and sending you our love,
Anna

Donel,

I am very glad to see you getting a "baby fix". Too bad we can't get them everyday, but then it wouldn't be as special.

What a beautiful baby and what a beaufiful smile on your face!

K

Dear Don,
I was looking for a place to send you an email message. Since people have always confused my name with Hazel, this is as good a place as any. Hazel is a darling little person! My MS daughter, Lake, told me of your websight and your peacefull attutude with dealing with your cancer. I will always picture you as the young man who served our church in Woodland Hills many years ago. Your own kids were just kids then and Marilyn had that outragous red hair! I remember your kids in the process of discovering who they were. You and Marilyn did a good job as I understand they have turned out well.We only get a cetain number of days in this side of "home" and some of us get more than others. However some people manage to pile more living into a short time. There are still some people back at WHCC who are praying for you and remember you fondly Call me one!
Zazel