Time: Thu Oct 31 05:39:00 1996
To: marmstrong <marmstrong@snowcrest.net>
From: Paul Andrew Mitchell [address in tool bar]
Subject: affection and grace
Cc: 
Bcc: 

At 12:51 AM 10/31/96 -0800, you wrote:
>At 12:27 PM 10/30/96 -0700, you wrote:
>>Hi Marcia,
>>
>>In reading your latest beautiful letters,
>>it occurred to me that you might really
>>enjoy a book I have been reading on and off
>>in recent weeks.  It is entitled 
>>"The Friendship Factor," by Alan Loy
>>McGinnis, Augsburg Publishing House,
>>Minneapolis (1979).  It is so beautifully
>>written too, with poise, care, and sensitivity.
>>I can't imagine that there is a single
>>person on this planet who would not benefit
>>enormously from the many practical and 
>>inspirational examples which McGinnis 
>>relates.  
>
>I will try our library. (It is only two doors down
>from my office.)
>
> I would certainly
>>like to take this approach to the many ideas
>>McGinnis documents, but I need someone to 
>>"practice" with.  Would you be willing to 
>>practice with me? 
>
>Sure. I am (for the most part still) teachable. 
>
>Be well, my friend.  Let us
>>begin by seeing ourselves as little miracles
>>of life, which daily grow up into big miracles
>>we share with everyone willing to receive us,
>>in the image and likeness of the One who 
>>created us.  From the Mind of the Maker 
>>we came;  evidence of the supernatural 
>>surrounds us:  we are that evidence.
>
>Have you read Brennan Manning's "The Ragamuffin
>Gospel" Multnomah Press c1990? It is one of my
>favorites.
>>
>>/s/ Paul Mitchell

No, I have not read it.
I will look for it here.
We have a big library
at the University of Arizona,
so it should not be too 
hard to find.

/s/ Paul Mitchell

>>
>>===========================================================
>>Paul Andrew, Mitchell, B.A., M.S.:  pmitch@primenet.com                  
>>ship to: c/o 2509 N. Campbell, #1776, Tucson, Arizona state
>>===========================================================
>>
>Lucky you. I am not very chatty. I just finished an 
>evening of public hearings on the proposed Steelhead 
>federal Endangered Species listing. I think it went well. 
>I am exhausted. 
>
>Before I drop off asleep at the keyboard, I wanted to 
>mention that I was thinking over our discussion on the
>differences between males an females in relationships
>and, if I am typical, I believe it is affection that 
>I am looking for. The type of quality defined in such
>behaviors as:
>
>Putting the paper down to listen

a rare quality, indeed:
the art of listening ...

>Providing comfort, rather than direction

this is emotional support,
something we all need,
also very powerful

>Reaching out to touch often in a non sexual way

Our Creator is terrific
at forwarding thoughts
of good will, no matter
how distant we are in space,
so touching is a thought 
pattern, a pattern of
thinking before doing.
The smallest gesture can
convey a huge amount of love.

>Being thoughtful, like bringing someone a cup of 
>        coffee when you're getting one for yourself

I am bad about this one,
because I get so task-focused,
I forget the immediate milieu


>Suggesting a dinner out when the cook is tired

I LOVE to eat out, I think,
because I love to be waited
on in restaurants.  I just
eat alone a lot these days.
The word on the street now
is that I am a deep cover
government agent: very vicious
lie, this one.

>Acts affirming the other person's significance as 
>        a priority in your life

This can be done in
so many different ways.
A few little things can
add up to more than one
big thing in no time.

>Acts demonstrating that you genuinely like to 
>        spend time with that person

Smiling, particularly,
and humor, the best
medicine ever.

>Affection initiated without prompting

This one goes to unconditional
love, a hotly debated topic,
but still essential, I believe,
particularly for children who
need that foundation to grow.

> 
>OH well, Ima goner......it was Dick Army, she 
>mumbled as she drifted off..............

You might probe your fantasy
a little bit.  We can do that
here, where it's safe. 

I have a robot persona you
might like to meet.  He errs
all the time with strange
English idioms, so he is 
very lovable, and very bright.
He talks like a child with an
IQ of 200.  Do you want to 
share your fantasy with him?
His name is I Pobot I (1001 
for short).

Bye.

/s/ Paul Mitchell

copy:  I Pobot, I
(Robot the First,
 with one leg-standing)


>
>Marcia
      

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