Rest In Peace, My Friend, and Leave Us With Words & Actions To Live By

Today brings the news of the passing of one of our greatest American heros. Paul Newman epitomized the American Ideal in every way, but his model of humility, activism and philanthropy have been a beacon of hope to many of us for generations. His sublime talent for acting craft never prevented him for exploring the many other aspects of himself and humanity, and never blocked his way to an ever-expanding growth and interest in the world as a whole. Paul Newman was a power of example in how to embrace many paths on our journey through this world and, on the way, to put something back.

“We are such spendthrifts with our lives,” he once said.

“The trick of living is to slip on and off the planet with the least fuss you can muster. I’m not running for sainthood. I just happen to think that in life we need to be a little like the farmer, who puts back into the soil what he takes out.”

To list even partially his myriad contributions would take volumes, but perhaps it is just as well to leave this tribute in as simple terms as possible, for that is the way he would like it. He never let his accomplishments interfere with his ability to see himself clearly--an attribute that, these days, so few have and so many need.

And so, I bid you goodbye, dear friend of the Universe. Your stay was brief, your accomplishments long and many. May we all allow ourselves a moment to memorialize you as we continue on our journey in your footsteps, to make the world a better place.