The following is my poem as read aloud at Cindy's large retirement party, written though I hadn't known her that well. However, at the meeting I heard the list of her extremely remarkable accomplishments, amid raising 3 accomplished children and battling a series of illnesses. Just the simple list of her prestigious positions and accomplishments was pages and pages long. This poem turned out to be a most incredible understatement.
Cindy, you show us all
you don't want to live in a world
where we don't look out for each other.
Not just the people who are close to you,
but anyone who needs a hand.
And your spirit
ripples out
and into countless lives.
Quietly for 35 years
leading in the service
of protecting the public health
of a state as large and populous
as that Israel always
loud in the news.
You never needed publicity
to show all
touched by your life
how there is no better exercise
for the heart
than in dignified teamwork -
as equal reaching "down"
and lifting so many people up
to the dignity of life they so deserve.
I hope you will recognize
that the applause
is everywhere.
~ Phil
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