Final New Jersey Edition

Dear Ones,

As I write these words, a team of movers is loading all my earthly possessions on a truck, shortly to depart for Augusta, Georgia. I can’t help but feel a little melancholy, even as I look forward to the next chapter in my own story. But I would be foolish and churlish indeed to not say what remains to be said.

Thank you. For seven years of friendship and kindness and support. For wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. For fabulous music of all kinds, from high Anglican Mattins, to double-choir polyphony, to down-low blues and jazz and gospel—and much of it in the same building!

For sharing your lives with me—at home, at church, in singing together, in numberless ways. For making a place for me in your lives, around dinner tables and over countless cups of coffee.

For seven beautiful autumns, teaching me why anyone in their right mind would drive all over the countryside to look at leaves. You just have to see it to believe it!

For seven snowy winters, chilling noses and ears and fingertips, and making glad and merry hearts before roaring fires and over steaming bowls of stew and chili.

For seven bright springs, riots of color and smell and light as winter finally gives up its hold, and we see truly that “Love is come again.”

For seven high summers—farmer’s markets overflowing with the bounty of the Garden State, and long afternoons stretching into twilight.

For all these gifts and so many others, which you have been so kind to share with me in my time here, there is only...

Thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.

With much love,
Jason