phone rang..or, what it does, and i didn't recognize the #, but Detroit….? It was Jill Zundel, Pastor of the Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Sorry to be calling, but to tell me that Wendy had passed away. They, she and a friend were at Wendy''s home and and had found things to indicate they should call. There was an exchange. and then they asked if i knew of any family she might have had. No, i didn't. No family. She was kind and also pragmatic and the exchange wasn't long. She would be in touch.
Wendy. Passed away. Dead. Wendy is dead. I talked to her last Saturday. 4 days ago. We don't do phone much. But there was a space that late afternoon, and i called. She was her usual self as in the last couple years. Nothing different. Our conversation was also not remarkable. Familiar.
We do letters. Many letters overtime. We began together in 7th grade. Then, back and away for the next Life Years, so…from 11 years to 72. I was her maid of honor. She came to New Mex once to visit. In the last 15, 20 years, we have cxchanged letters at least monthly. She told of her life in Detroit (where i was born) working with the Swords into Plow Shares Gallery, with the Peace and Justice arm of that with a food kitchen. When you call her phone the machine says " this is Wendy. Without Justice there is no Peace".
i have her last letter here. The envelope has butterflies on it.
so the hard part today is that i can't call her. Alyssia and Emrie were here and it was an ordinary day with them, but off and on i was struck by the thought to call Wendy. But i can't. I want to call her and say Hey!, what's the deal? When i talked to you on Saturday, and asked you…HOw is it for you? , you didn't say anything that let me IN on the reality that i wouldn't be able to call again.
i can' t call her. I can't ever call her again.
i had sent her the pic above yesterday. They weren't sure when she had died. I dont know if she saw it? She liked hearing stuff from here.““““““““““““““““
windthread 
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