Today we, my wife and I as well as many other Blair County Democrats, mourned, saluted, and buried a progressive hero, Ray Shaw. My wife, Liz, wrote a great piece for the Blair County Dems website http://www.blairdems.org/ . I will reprint it below the fold.
Ray Shaw, Blair County Representative to the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee, passed away in the early morning hours of December 14, 2007.
Ray was a person who not only spoke of the ideals of the Democratic party, but lived them - in his life's work as a social servant, and in his many friendships with Blair County Democrats. His strong convictions and compassion for others were always tempered with quiet patience and a reasoned voice. He lived, and sometimes suffered, with kidney disease for more than 25 years, and yet always had a smile and supportive word to share (until the conversation turned to budget cuts for social programs, or the war). His friendship lifted us up many times during his life, and his memory will undoubtedly inspire us to continue to fight for what is good and right, regardless of the obstacles.
Ray was dedicated to the hope that Democrats will win in Blair County. He volunteered for numerous campaigns at the local grassroots level, and knocked on countless doors throughout the Cove in support of candidates. He spent hours making telephone calls to county voters to remind them to vote. On the executive committee, he was instrumental in many recent initiatives and projects, including the Media Committee and the summer picnic. As our state commitee representative, he worked to bring the recent gains achieved in Blair County to the attention of Harrisburg. He spoke for the Democratic party numerous times on Plain Speaking, as well as on Weekend Wrapup. He and wife Becky regularly attended breakfasts in the Cove and in Altoona, as well as other Democratic functions in the county.
Ray frequently closed his email messages with the Hindi salutation, namaste. Literally, namaste is translated as "I bow to you," but it has many symbolic and spiritual connotations in various cultures and contexts, including:
"I salute the God within you."
"I recognize that we are all equal."
"The entire universe resides within you."
"The divine peace in me greets the divine peace in you."
"The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you."
"I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace, When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
Namaste, Ray.
Sunday night at the viewing, Ray looked so peaceful(of course!) in his Pittsburgh Steelers tie. His wife, Becky, confided to Liz and I that he had an "Impeach Bush" bumper sticker in his pocket. The true measure of a person is not what they take when they go, but rather it is with what they leave us. Ray left us with fond memories, friendship, and the notion that high bars can be cleared. Ray, though he was comfortable with words, was a man of action. Bad knees, bad back, poor health and all, he would be out knocking doors in the Cove--hostile territory for a progressive. Ray, in his own quiet way, did not back down.
My head and heart are spinning with emotions right now. The quiet man with the frail handshake exuded such power! Though I don't know how to feel tonight, I know what I will DO tomorrow.
Namaste, Ray