“I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
I found it quite challenging to try to sum up the overall experience of publishing The Mail Must Go Through as an onlooker because from my far perspective it seemed at times both a joy and a burden. Ultimately though it brought to mind Thoreau’s quote above and I hope Ron would agree.
I know Ron thoroughly enjoyed researching, writing and collaborating with his son Gary whom illustrated the book. In researching he had the great pleasure of riding down the mule train with Gary and his grandsons who are characters in the book FYI. This I know Ron would consider a qualified success not measured by sales.
I believe as well that it was a great pleasure for Ron to write a story about the USPS. This little book to me celebrates the legacy of the USPS by the very title, Ron was proud to be associated with this.
I was very saddened as, just today, I became aware of Ron Swisher’s passing. We had not been in contact for several years and as life is, friends drift apart and lose contact. I met and worked with Ron while in Birmingham, Michigan.
Ron was a very special person, and that is a very sincere thought and truth, from a friend, and I considered Ron a friend. He was a man of great character, quality and depth. To me, his sense of what was right and wrong, and his unrelenting drive to champion those issues, will always be in my thoughts. His love of life and unrelenting courage, thinking of others always before himself was simply amazing, especially with his own continuous issues to deal with day to day.
Ron sent me a signed copy of “The Mail Must Go Through” and while looking through it again, I thought of Ron’s excellent life journey and the exceptional impression he made on me and the many other life’s he touched. My sympathy and thoughts to you Karen.
Gregory Cox