A note from Christine: 
     As you can imagine, I am a bit shell shocked.  My body was already going through a trauma and now my heart is broken and in need of healing too. 
     I am grateful that I was home and in a very quiet, contemplative place for the last weeks of my father's life.  As he was growing weaker and more still in Florida, I was here on my couch - keeping the candles lit, holding him in my "prayer heart", staying in constant touch with my family and sending him all my love.  I was able to focus and be present with him from afar, free from the distractions of busy-ness, travel, meetings and gigs.  We knew in the last 24 hours that he was close to crossing over and my sister asked me if I would like to write his obituary.  In 1989, when my son was a year old, I took the time to interview my father, mother and grandmother individually so that I would have a record of their lives and our history - in their own words.  I spent the last day of my dad's life listening to that tape, crying and writing.  I felt like we were taking a look back together and I am sure that he had the same sense that I did - his was a life well lived.  His devotion to my mother and us kids was his foundation; his sense of humor and way with a pun framed his perspective and taught us about the joy of words; his unconditional love for me is a gift that I can only repay by loving as whole heartedly as he did.
     A dear friend sent me a sympathy card and said "He helped build your foundation and you are a rock, dear girl.  His job is done."  It made me weep because I know she's right.  His job is done but his influence lives on.  I only hope I can be the rock that Katy thinks I am.  Thank you for the vote of confidence, my friend.
     One day at a time.
     I love you, Daddy.
     Christine            

     A picture is worth a thousand words...

      See you on the other side, John Albert.

     Chris