[Sound of Silence]

Q. Hello, Marsha.

I realize you probably receive correspondence frequently, but I wasn't going to allow that to stop me from expressing my appreciation for your work.

Something that has become apparent to me is the lack of knowledge on the part of African Americans regarding your work. Well, thanks to me that's no longer the case for some people.

Probably the most poignant words you have expressed in your work is your love for silence, especially while meditating on Scripture. I personally can't get enough.

The sound of silence speaks to me. It says there is this vital force, which I call Spirit, and it "lives and moves in us." (Acts 17)

Anyhow, thanks for being a part of my life through your work and God bless you (It's obvious He already has). Smile!

A. From herself, with thanks for your encouragement and appreciation.

1. I trust you will love, and hopefully have already read, Spiritual Intelligence (Orbis,2000). If you relate to the book, I'm glad. Particularly since I tried to include examples of every sort of spiritually intelligent child (African American; Spanish; boy; girl; so-called handicapped, etc.) to show that Silence (and the infusion of the Presence that is Silence) is no respecter of persons -- persona; the mask of personality). Anyway, you sound full of gladness and the Spirit of All in All Good. How wonderful. By the way, the term "vital force" is fine with me, although as you know I also use Spirit and Holy Spirit and so on. All honoring terms seem fine, yes? And may the Force be with you always.

2. Regarding that phrase you used, "sound of silence," there is a beautiful artist -- totally deaf since birth (whose name escapes me) -- who created a luminous work title Sound of Silence. It was housed at Ankrum Gallery -- the old, fine-art gallery on La Cienega in Los Angeles no longer in existence. I always wanted to buy it.

The artist painted an image of a young boy, wide-eyed and seemingly in awe, head tilted toward a rose listening to it. Maybe someone who reads this exchange will remember the artist's name. All the best to you.

Thanks again.

P.S. Here's my reflection for the day, maybe the month -- not sure yet:

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse
is declaring the work of His hands..." (Psalm 19:1)