[CapChapOhio] FW: My Tribute to Paul Dressell

Sun Apr 28 00:09:09 UTC 2019

This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. 

Annette 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 27, 2019, at 3:49 PM, JW Smith via CapChapOhio <capchapohio at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Just in case you had not seen this.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Smith, JW [mailto:smithj at ohio.edu] 
> Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2019 12:34 PM
> To: 'jwsmithblind at gmail.com' <jwsmithblind at gmail.com>
> Subject: FW: My Tribute to Paul Dressell
> 
> 
> 
> jw
> 
> Dr. jw Smith
> School of Communication Studies
> Scripps College of Communication
> Ohio University
> Schoonover Center 
> 20 E. Union St,
> Athens, OH 45701
> smithj at ohio.edu
> T: 740-593-4838
> 
> One way to deal with the past is to change what you can...and can what you
> can't.
> 
> My Bio
> 
> Check out some of my music here and here 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Smith, JW via
> Ohio-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 4:13 PM
> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List (ohio-talk at nfbnet.org)
> <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Smith, JW <smithj at ohio.edu>
> Subject: [Ohio-talk] My Tribute to Paul Dressell
> 
> Dear NFB of Ohio Family, Friends, and Colleagues,
> 
> I am attaching to this email a copy of a song entitled "Hard To Say
> Goodbye"! I hope that the words and my singing of them will capture some of
> our thoughts and sentiments about our dear friend and brother Paul Dressell.
> If a picture is worth a thousand words then a song should be worth at least
> 500 right?
> 
> I first met Paul in September of 1993 when I attended my first NFB of Ohio
> affiliate board meeting. I had only been in the state a little over a month,
> but I was welcomed graciously by the members of the NFB of Ohio which
> included Paul Dressell. I remember that the board was discussing the
> possibility of creating a new position entitled, "Field Representative". I
> can still remember some of the input to the conversation by Paul and I
> remember how his comments were taken by the audience. As you know, Paul did
> not talk a lot just for the sake of talking, but when he spoke we listened
> and he communicated his thoughts effectively, graciously, and persuasively.
> I remember the first time since that 1993 board meeting that Paul was not at
> the table because he had decided to step down from the board. I was
> president at the time and I remember commenting publically, "Paul, I don't
> think I can get used to not having you up here with us!". Paul loved sports
> and could talk about it for hours and he really "knew his stuff" especially
> as it relates to football and baseball. I enjoyed attending Washington
> seminars with Paul and watching how excited he got when he ate his peanut
> butter pie. I remember his last trip to Washington and his willingness and
> ability to serve the affiliate in whatever needed capacity. One year at the
> seminar, some of us young  fellas stayed up late into the night playing
> cards, laughing far too loudly, and with his usual grace, Paul just took it
> all in stride! I so appreciated that Paul never took himself or anyone else
> too seriously and although he had the right answers most of the time, he
> never belittled or embarrassed or chose to put anyone down just to show how
> smart he was. In fact, I dare say Paul was brilliant. You could ask him what
> day of the week was April 10th, 1942 and he could tell you in five seconds
> or less.
> 
> I love you my brother and friend, and you will be missed.  In addition to
> the song I have attached here, please read the words of this poem that I
> hope captures a lot of what we are all feeling now.
> 
> Time Is Meant To Heal (c) Kim Thompson
> 
> Although unheard, I thank you
> For always being there.
> Even when you were bedridden,
> You always seemed to care.
> 
> You meant so much to all of us;
> You were special and that's no lie.
> You brightened up the darkest day
> And even the greyest sky.
> 
> Many tears I have seen and cried.
> They have all poured out like rain.
> I know that you are happy now
> 'Cause you're no longer in pain.
> 
> Four years on, I remember you
> And what you used to say.
> You made each of us smile
> And live to the fullest each day.
> 
> They say in time it gets easier.
> I believe this isn't true
> Because even after all this time,
> I still don't have a clue.
> 
> I was not ready to say goodbye.
> Your disease just over took,
> So on this day we remember you.
> I take a second look.
> 
> Our friendship is forever.
> Until death, did we part.
> Although you're away physically,
> You're always in my heart.
> 
> 
> jw
> 
> 
> <Hard To Say Goodbye.mp3>
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