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A note from Wordslinger’s daughter Emma

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Illinois

* I forgot to post this email from Wordslinger’s daughter Emma which I received before Thanksgiving and I forgot that Wordslinger’s birthday was mentioned in her email. Those were both massive fails on my part. Sorry!

But since we’re fundraising for LSSI partly as a tribute to Wordslinger’s legacy, I thought you might like to read it. You’ll recall that Emma Oxnevad is a DePaul journalism student and we raised some money to help her pay for college after we found out that her dad had died…

Hi, Rich!

This week in my student newspaper, I wrote a column about staying thankful even when your life has been rocked by tragedy. I mention my dad frequently throughout it and thought you may like to read it.

https://depauliaonline.com/44385/opinions/opinion-when-facing-extreme-hardship-its-crucial-to-acknowledge-moments-of-happiness/

What I didn’t mention in the column is how thankful I am for you and everyone at Capitol Fax, not only for the extreme generosity you all showed me but the respect and love you showed to my dad and his work. It may interest you to know that his birthday is coming up (December 3).

Also, I talked to my mom and she said she would be very much interested in meeting you. I know you mentioned wanting to meet sometime in the spring, and I can see if my brothers would be interested or available as well.

I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving.

Best,
Emma

As I told you yesterday, I’m hoping to put together a meet and greet with Wordslinger’s family during the spring legislative session.

Click here to contribute to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. We’ve raised about $8,000 so far, which is pretty darned amazing. Thanks! Let’s keep it going.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 10:23 am

Comments

Wonderful column. A must read.

Comment by DE Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 10:40 am
It’s a must read column by Emma. She is a very talented and thoughtful writer, I’m looking forward to reading her more as her career begins.

Again, I thank Emma for sharing her dad.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 10:47 am
Beautiful column, both the sentiments and the writing. I know her dad would be so proud.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 11:08 am
just something so comforting
so so comforting about reading
Emmas article.
It was like experiencing Word again.
It comforts me greatly
that not only writing skill but
thoughtfulness
Is obviously passed on to our progeny.
Yep, I’m tearing up.
Emma, your father shines through you.
What an incredible blessing you have
and have shared with us.
Thank you
Blessing to you Emma

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 11:59 am
Is there a LIKE/LOVE icon on CAP Fax ?

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 12:55 pm
LSSI is a great charity. I think about 4 or 5 years ago I had a friendly wager here in the comments with Rich that led me to donate $100 to them. It also led me to research and look at their works.

Worth it if you have a few dollars to put towards good causes.

Comment by Ron - In Texas Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 12:59 pm
I want so badly to give that kid a hug. We lost a friend’s Mom a couple of months before Wordslinger’s passing, and helping Emma helped me more than it did Emma - thanks for that opportunity, Rich.

It would be interesting to see a compilation of Word’s best written works, may be a project for a family member to work on.

Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 1:28 pm
What a wonderfully written column. If I hadn’t seen her name, I would have sworn that it was written by Wordslinger himself.

Comment by Fiercely Independent Wednesday, Dec 4, 19 @ 3:53 pm