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President's Letter:
The Real Bottom Line
By William L. Wright, CCE
Bill Wright, ICFA president for 2002-2003, is a cemeterian and licensed funeral director.
He is vice president of Fairlawn Burial Park and Heritage Funeral Home in Hutchinson, Kansas, which are owned and operated by his family. He can be reached at heritage@msinter.net.
The following is the prayer that John Welshons wrote and presented to the students and graduates of the ICFA University Class of 2002 in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 23:
 Father, we live and work in a climate that all too often asks, "Will it work?" rather than "Is it right," ... "Will it sell?" rather than "Is it needed?" ... "Can we dominate?" rather than "Is it fair?"
We come together this afternoon as leaders of this association and this industry, honoring those who seek to better themselves and by so doing better all of us. Help us, Father, help all of us to rededicate ourselves to the transformation of our world by moving toward your standard of justice, compassion and integrity, and a business, social and personal climate where your love, and all that it implies, is the only bottom line that really counts. May your light envelop all of us, clarifying our vision, giving us encouragement, leading us into hope and creating an industry where character, principle and fidelity are the building blocks of strength and prosperity.
We thank you, Father, for this opportunity to be together, to make new friends, to visit with old friends, to learn and to grow, to recognize that we have many brothers and sisters in this work. We thank you for blessing us with this unique profession which offers a rare opportunity to serve our families, friends and communities by honoring those who have gone before us, and those who grieve for them. May we do your work with open, compassionate hearts and a commitment to kindness, excellence and caring.
AMEN
Friends, there are some things that cannot be improved upon. This prayer from John is one of them. You have read my President's Message. Thank you, John.
(Editor's note: John Welshons is president of Open Heart Seminars, Little Falls, New Jersey, and the author of "Awakening From Grief: Finding the Road Back to Joy." He can be reached at 1-800-555-0844 or john@openheartseminars.com.)
Copyright ICFA 2002
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