11. From Bob Russell

Excerpts from a letter Bob Russell wrote me in Seattle, Washington, on Monday, July 29, 1968, in response to my letter written on June 11. See letter 8.

I've been sitting here for the past hour contemplating how I was going to write this letter. When I read your letter, which is an absolute piece of genius, I get cold feet trying to reply to it. After all, I'm supposed to be the one with the education in English. I guess the only thing I can conclude is that formal education in an art might teach you to analyze and recognize that which is good, but it can't teach creativity. I'll have to tell you a little about that letter. I was going to wait until evening to read it, but couldn't wait and so pulled off the road just outside of Nampa to read it. I suppose passing motorists wondered what was up as I sat there with tears rolling down my face. Later, I hope you don't mind, I shared it with Jackson since he and I had talked at length about partings. He asked to have a copy of it as a source of inspiration to him from time to time. Thanks, Dean, for sharing with me some of the most precious things about you. As of the past few years I've given over to throwing correspondence away, but this particular letter I hope to keep as a reminder of a great man of faith and obedience who served as a goal in my life. Perhaps after you've become one of the leading writers of the 20th century, I'll drag it out to be published along with your other works.

Once again, thanks for sharing part of yourself with me and thanks for being an example of faith to me. I have an immense love for you and for what you represent. Some of my greatest joys in life come through association with those valiant souls trying to build a Christ-like character. You have been one of those people in my life. I hope that we can maintain some measure of contact through the years as I think we can both grow from it. Thanks for being my friend.