It was more than a nice touch. It was very moving. It reminded everyone there of the way Rick had of honestly moving people up a level. I had time while Mick was reading it to think about how he did that, and I think that the difference between his way of doing that kind of thing and other people's is that when other people do it, it is often just some kind of general exhortation -- oh, you know, be the best you can be, read this book on how to be better than you are -- but Rick would honestly tell you what your skills were and so when he said you could be better than you currently knew, you took it seriously.

It was Eve who said it best last night. He taught his students how to treat people, especially students who were going to be teachers.   I think it is this combination of honest appraisal, plus belief, that was his hallmark -- and Jed's letter made us all see that.

yours,

Peter T.