THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO RALPH WALDO EMERSON
To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. --Ralph Waldo Emerson.
A descendent of the author, Louise Emerson Brooks months ago selected this piece of his to be read at her memorial. It was part of the liturgy celebrating her life at All Saints Church -- and I wanted to share it here as I am overwhelmed with both sadness and gratitude. Sunday I will be back at church for a morning which will include the launch of Ed Bacon's new book "8 Habits of Love" -- a handbook for living a spiritual life from the house of love rather than the house of fear ... and a recipe for the kind of success Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote about and Louise Emerson Brooks lived. Finally, here's a link to the slide show of slide show that was part of the celebration of her life: photos represent the tip of the iceberg of a life well lived and cut too short.
12 comments:
loved the slide show... loved the love you show her, love the love she showed all over. Thanks for the sharing, and know you are in many of our hearts and minds these days.
Thanks for the photos -- so much love.
She will always be "Our Ms. Brooks". Know you - and she - are in our hearts and prayers.
I thought about you, your family and friends all day yesterday.
My prayers are with you.
Truly a beautiful tribute... we remembered you both today at Church of Our Saviour, Killington... may the love she gave, the love you received continue to flourish in your heart.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful life. Thank you for sharing. Prayers continue for you!
Loved the producer's credit. You made her smile with that.
Lovely tribute,lovely slide show.
Dear Susan,
The big love between you and Louise is an inspiration and joy to behold. Thanks for the glimpse of her life and the sacred moments that made her life such a remarkable one. I am holding you in my thoughts and prayers through these days of grief. You have lots of support from me and so many others here in Berkeley.
Much love and deep peace,
Laura Peterson
Thank you for sharing the photos of Louise, you, and all who loved her. You and Louise have been and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Such a brave life lived out loud full of love, grace, and generosity. Louise touched so many, including many who never knew her except by name.
She looks a lovely person xx
May you know the strong arms of Christ holding you at this time x
What a beautiful tribute!
It is many years later, 2019 now, and I only learned of Louise's passing last night. For years she'd stepped in and out of my thoughts and I always wondered what had become of her. You see, many, and I do mean many, years ago, in the days of our junior high ages, I used to go to Louise's house in Mooreland Farms in Richmond, Va, with another friend who had introduced us. We were just kids and into rock 'n roll and movies and games and talking the way friends do. I can still remember how the 3 of us went to see Dick Clark's movie, "Because They're Young" in 1960 and feeling so grown up watching it. We bought the record of the theme song and must have played it a thousand times while I was eaten up with a crush on Michael Callan and a secret crush on her little brother, Jud. Many weekends of lunches and games and just plain fun were had at Louise's big and beautiful family home -- a home big enough for all her siblings and us to feel nothing but joy, and play with abandon especially in the sunny summer days. We were only very young girls of about 13 years old and now it's 60 yrs later, but I thought the world of her then and we all could feel an absolute kindness radiate from her. I see she'd made a wonderful life and I'm so happy that she did what she loved and touched so many lives. She touched mine and never even knew it. Louise, there is no doubt you will be forever missed but never, ever forgotten.
Sending love to your beautiful spirit,
Your old friend,
Jenny (and still in Richmond)
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