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Post by sanssouci on Nov 11, 2010 18:54:56 GMT -5
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 29, 2010 13:36:10 GMT -5
Here is a nice little article about the evening with a picture of Tom and Sir Trevor: www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/8707399.Sir_Trevor_shows_spport_for_hospice/?ref=rssBrought a tear to my eye, in a good way, of course! Added later:I am told by the lovely people at Helen & Douglas House that Tom read from Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It was the excerpt that begins 'They came in the evening then...' If you know anything about H&D and the good work they do there then you know this is an appropriate choice. I was also told that they will have pictures of the event up on their site later this week.  I found this online in case you are interested in reading it (I can hear him in my head so I hope you can too). I am not sure how much he read but this excerpt ends a chapter so I'm guessing it is all of this: "They came in the evening, then, and found Jonathan gliding peaceful and alone through his beloved sky. The two gulls that appeared at his wings were pure as starlight, and the glow from them was gentle and friendly in the high night air. But most lovely of all was the skill with which they flew, their wingtips moving a precise and constant inch from his own. Without a word, Jonathan put them to his test, a test that no gull had ever passed. He twisted his wings, slowed to a single mile per hour above stall. The two radiant birds slowed with him, smoothly, locked in position. They knew about slow flying. He folded his wings, rolled and dropped in a dive to a hundred ninety miles per hour. They dropped with him, streaking down in flawless formation. At last he turned that speed straight up into a long vertical slow-roll. They rolled with him, smiling. He recovered to level flight and was quiet for a time before he spoke. "Very well," he said, "who are you?" "We're from your Flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers." The words were strong and calm. "We've come to take you higher, to take you home." "Home I have none. Flock I have none. I am Outcast. And we fly now at the peak of the Great Mountain Wind. Beyond a few hundred feet, I can lift this old body no higher." "But you can Jonathan. For you have learned. One school is finished, and the time has come for another to begin." As it had shined across him all his life, so understanding lighted that moment for Jonathan Seagull. They were right. He could fly higher, and it was time to go home. He gave one last look across the sky, across that magnificent silver land where he had learned so much. "I'm ready " he said at last. And Jonathan Livingston Seagull rose with the two starbright gulls to disappear into a perfect dark sky."
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Post by beckettologist on Dec 6, 2010 11:51:47 GMT -5
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Post by sanssouci on Dec 7, 2010 19:27:31 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the sweet photo and video clip.
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