Those of us who used to work with Liz here in Chicago were shocked and saddened to hear about this tragedy. Best wishes to all her friends and family. I certainly didn't know her as well you all did, but even so--no man is an island, etc. Take comfort in knowing that an office of 75+ people share your pain. This is a poem that President Reagan quoted after the Challenger disaster. Seems appropriate now, too. Thought I'd share it.
With every good wish,
Jay
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
