LETTERS

Letters may be edited for reasons of brevity or clarity. Opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the Editor.

Heartfelt thanks from Jane O Brien

To the world community of the followers of Baha'u'llah, I give thanks for all the loving support, messages, cards, prayers from so many people in so many places first on the occasion of the passing of our eldest son, Quinn, who took his own life at the age of thirty in September of 1997.

Secondly I give thanks for your love and prayers during the course of the debilitating illness which intensified for my dear husband Philip especially after the shock of the death of our first son.

The experience of the last few months with Philip was precious and extremely enriching in terms of the blossoming of his soul and growing strength of his spirit which seemed to overide the pain he experienced and the weakening of his body. The family was with him throughout the time of his death which was in itself a profound gift for us all. This was a "near death experience" of a different order in that we were like a team on this side assisting in a birthing process and sending him to a team on the other side. There could be no doubt of where he was going and the beauty of it, of his dilemma of not being quite ready when he told them to wait and of wanting to go when he asked us to let him go. He told us who was there of his closest people, his mom, his sister, and our son, Quinn.

There was wonderful cooperation between all of us, and he went off happily, peacefully surrounded on all sides by those whom he loves.

It was a privilege, a life changing, transforming gift which he gave to us, his family, and to his many friends with whom we can share his story, hopefully similarly to ways in which he always shared his stories with love and laughter.

Jane O'Brien BM Jane O Brien, London WC1N 3XX e-mail: JaneOBrien@fdn.co.uk

Not able to fast

At this time of year encouragement for the friends to fast is widespread. Then comes the celebration of how glorious it was to take part.

Do the friends not realise that there are many of us who are forbidden to fast, often as in my case, on medical grounds?

When I first became a Baha'i I was sometimes criticised for not taking part and I have experienced this attitude since. May I suggest that instead of criticising or making people feel low by loudly proclaiming the glories of self- discipline and spiritual development, the friends realise that there are many of us who cannot fast. We envy those who can take part and cry inwardly because we cannot.

It is already difficult enough to celebrate Naw Ruz (which marks the end of the Fast as well as the beginning of the year), without being made to feel inferior or lacking in Baha'i devotion by such remarks as "You didn't fast? Really you should - it's marvellous."

With Baha'i love, Ron Roe

Travel teachers - thanks for coming to Greece

My husband Wesley, daughter Giselle and I are pioneers on the island of Corfu in Greece. We have been here for six years and we felt so proud and happy when we learned of British travel teachers who wanted to attend functions and our summer school in Greece.

Teaching the Faith in Greece isn't easy; as Shoghi Effendi clearly understood when we called for pioneers to come here. We Baha'is in Greece are few, but we are a loving family and we truly appreciate the efforts of those souls who came to help. So belatedly, we send our thanks, warmest feelings and admiration to all those travel teachers from the UK who came with Edgar Boyett and Michelle Wilburn to teach the Faith in Greece last summer.

"One pair of hands can t change the world now ... But if two and two and fifty make a million, we ll see that day come around."

Stephi Clash (formerly of Shepway community, Kent)

Youth from the Isle of Skye and their Mid-Sussex hosts enjoyed a summertime mini-pilgrimage to the Guardian's Resting Place, the National Baha'i Centre and the sights of London.