Bob,

I'm sorry we couldn't get together today. I hope you got some good rest. I'll make sure to get by at least once next week so we can finish our latest book.

Kat and I are in the midst of tying up all the loose ends around here in preparation of our departure late next week. Making sure all the bills will be paid.

I'm looking forward to having the time to write my journal to you while out on the road. I am going to be doing some call-ins to KUOW, but they would also like to get some letters from me as well. Steve Scher has been trying to bring back the art of letter writing, and so is reading listener?s letters on Fridays. This was partly inspired by my commentaries, which began as letters to my brother.

What I will do is take some sections from my journal and read them into my mini-disk recorder and send the disk off to KUOW.

Something occurred to me the other day and I'd like to run it by you. I can voice part of my journal and have my thoughts and reflections directed toward the listeners of KUOW. The other approach is to have the recorded section be my letter to YOU. This would entail explaining to the listeners about who is "Bob" and why I'm I writing to him.

I thought this could be a great way to heighten the awareness of ALS, well, not just ALS, about friendship ... and taking the time to spend it with those people that we love.

Here is something I haven't share with you. When I got your email in '99 saying that you had made it to 44, you mentioned that you were listening to books on tape because you could no longer turn the pages. The thought occurred to me to offer to read for you. But I worried if I'd have the time, or whether the schedule would work out. Then I had a dream about going to your memorial service. I stood there listening to all these people say how much they loved Bob Nadir, but I couldn't get up and speak. My heart was so heavy, because I had never emailed you back and offered.

When I woke up the next morning I thought. "Willie. What in your life right now could be possibly more important than helping out a friend?" That's when I responded to your email.

Of course, what I have learned over this last year is that it was I who benefited most from our visits together. It was Bob Nadir who was always there to visit with ME. It was Bob Nadir who would always listen to what was going on in my life and give me advice and encouragement. It was Bob Nadir who made sure I set aside time to read books I'd never found the time in my busy life to read. I set out to give a gift, and I got a treasure in return.

I guess that is why I'd like for others to know whom I'm really writing for. But I also hesitate because it is OUR time together ... no one else's.

My letters to KUOW will be addressed to the listeners of KUOW, unless you would like me to share the story of my buddy Bob. I will not be the least disappointed if you would rather I not share that. But I had to ask.

Thanks.

I'll see you sometime next week.

Love,

Willie