When I attended Bill and Julie’s memorial, I was transfixed by the adoration that their son Don expressed in his eulogy of his parents. They both strived for social justice in their own way, from their earliest days as children to a young married couple traveling the world. Bill and Julie journeyed and learned about peoples and cultures they did not know until their last days together. Don’s recounting his parents’ lives was heart-gripping.
Equally moving was Don’s challenge to the attendees that we each commit to three courageous acts to truly honor his parents’ memory: commit a random act of kindness for someone less fortunate than ourselves; read a book about a subject we currently know little about especially ones having to do with a country or a people we have little familiarity with; and lastly, make a contribution for as much as we can afford to Trinity Boston Connects or some similar organization that does effective work to level the playing field. In closing Don said, “For Julie and Bill Thompson did all those things and so much more and if everyone did just those three things, people would start to look and act like them, and this country and this world would be a much better place.”
As I reflect on the part of Sam and Bill and Julie’s legacy that is Trinity Boston Connects, I feel honored to help steward that legacy as its Executive Director. I know Trinity Church will continue to set souls on fire. And Trinity Boston Connects will continue to light the way, in beloved community, toward an equitable Boston – our collective work for the city.
Thank you, Sam, Bill and Julie. May you rest in all the love and peace you gave to this world.
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