All Saints Day
By Paul T. Jackson
October is the month of Halloween, followed immediately by All Saints Day, Nov. 1 when we honor those who have passed away.
I was at a church service one Sunday some years ago (1986,) and two people read off the names of the people who had passed on that year. Taking turns, one read off names of local people and the other read off names of celebrities or other important people. I thought this was interesting, as I had never experienced this in an All-Saints Day service. As they were reading, I realized I had led a sheltered life as some of the names didn’t mean anything to me as they were not recognizable. Then, as if hit by a bolt of lightning, I heard the name “Moses Asch.” I couldn’t hold my tears back. Moe, as we called him, had been a friend and colleague of mine in the mid-60s through the 80s. In fact, I had seen, and visited with him, in Chicago in June of that year at the Consumer Electronics Show. Moe was the wonderful person responsible for the original recording label, Folkways Records. Every time I think of this, I still get teary. His recordings are now part of the Smithsonian Global Sound project.
I think it is inevitable that the people that are admired the most are those who are truly interested in everyone, no matter what their status in the world might be. While in the Army, as a private E-2, in Augusta, GA, a woman at church invited me to sing with a choir rehearsal, and it was late finishing. The woman who had invited me assured me she would get me back to the Military Police base. As she pulled away and I was with the angry Sergeant, he became quite nice, and I noticed the car…with the General’s star on the bumper. In Christ we are connected to many, no matter their status.
So, I want to honor this November a few of the many who have been part of my life here in Enumclaw and elsewhere that have gone on to the Lord, not necessarily this year and in no particular order:
- My brother, Gordon B. Jackson; teacher, trombonist, AFofM local President.
- My sister, Dorothy A. Clark; accountant, comptroller extraordinaire.
The following mentors, friends, and colleagues helped me in many ways:
- Phil L. Miller, friend and former Head of New York Public Library Music Division
- Kurtz Myers, Mentor and former head of Detroit Public Library Music Dept.
- Ralph Papakhian, musician, music library colleague and punster.
- Bill “Woody” Woodworth, friend, colleague, and trombonist.
- Roger Jacobi, friend and former President, Interlochen Center for the Arts.
- Russell Ogg, photographer, friend; husband of writer Norma Lee Browning.
- Robert “Murph” Murphy, former head counselor Interlochen Arts Academy, organ
I am suggesting you name some from your life, to honor them. As the years pass, the names we remember are becoming more numerous Some belong to people whose influence is widely recognized; others belong to people whose kindness, friendship, or encouragingly touched only a few lives. All deserve remembrance. They have joined the cloud of witnesses, ever to watch over us. Hebrews 12:1-3.
Go with God.
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