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 by Patty Berry, RScP I remember how proud I always was to walk beside my dad, Dick Gregory, no matter where we went together. He was a Johnny Appleseed of the heart, a man of joy and integrity who never met a stranger and taught us kids that everyone was a friend unless proven otherwise. It was always a challenge to walk with Daddy because he had a very long stride and for every one of his steps there were three of ours. He had a purpose in his steps and he went with confidence and speed. However, he was also always conscious of the little person walking beside him. Every step was a light unto the path. He loved to whistle and dance and often did when we walked together. He was known to break into a soft shoe tap dance at the mere suggestion of it because it was an act of joy. Theatre and dance were a wonderful part of his early life, a part that took him to parts of the country far and wide and exposed him to a colorful, varied world that developed his character and brought out the joy and wisdom that he came to express so freely. You could hear him coming for a couple of blocks with a happy tune whistling from his lips. It was an identifying signature in our neighborhood, just one aspect of the music in his soul. His creative talents ran from being an actor to theatre director, to radio announcer, spiritual seeker, husband and father. Generally, he loved the human family, with all its potential, and the director was always alive and well in him. He was a man of joyful countenance and optimism and whenever faced with a challenge, he and Mother always practiced the principles of Science of Mind to carry them through. When I was four years old, we took a trip to Salt Lake City, where Daddy was given his first Science of Mind magazine. It was the beginning of his life as a New Thought Johnny Appleseed! He never went anywhere without a magazine in his coat pocket and was free with the writings within, because he fervently believed that "changing our thinking changed our lives". I have many memories of him striking up a conversation with strangers on the bus or at the stop light as we walked. If the person he was engaging spoke of trouble, he would give them a tidbit from the magazine and more often than not would give the magazine away. He would often learn later that many were grateful to him for taking the time to make a difference in their lives by sharing a new way of thinking. This seeding continued throughout his life. In 1960, we moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, at that time a lovely old-world community of 31,000 people. We lived in the heart of town where the heartbeat of the culture was felt so strongly. It was the perfect place for a man who liked to be in the thick of it. Daddy was always an early riser given to morning walks. He meditated as he walked and would make the rounds to the post office and the Plaza, stopping to have coffee and a chat with the businessmen who all met on the plaza before starting their day. It was a real and lovely community time. A time for dropping in to the shops to say hello, pick up a newspaper, collect the mail and then whistle his way home. There was one thing that was most important to him, and that was encouraging the best from people. The teachings of Ernest Holmes and other new thought writers were his tools. When we moved to Santa Fe, one of his first walking stops was the Candy Kitchen, or local news stand and candy shop. Because he had a sweet tooth and a thirst for the news of the day, the Candy Kitchen was a natural place for him to gravitate. Of course, he became friends with the owner and soon had her ordering the Science of Mind magazine for her news stand. Being the networker and dreamer that he was, he envisioned a Science of Mind church in Santa Fe, because he felt the philosophy was truly a healing approach to life. So he called S.O.M. headquarters and asked if they had any old magazines that he might distribute. He did the same with Unity Ministries. Well, it wasn't long before he started receiving 100 magazines a month from the two places and every morning on his walk he would leave them on park benches, in telephone booths, the post office and anywhere else he thought someone would pick them up. He'd retrace his steps home to see how many were gone, and to his delight they most often were. Within a couple of years there was enough interest to start a church. First came Religious Science with Dr. Robert Stevens as minister, and then came Unity, with Reverend Jean Beggs for their group. It was Daddy's dream come true. He gave away hundreds of books and magazines and was always there when times were challenging and when times were great, to see people's lives changed through these teachings. He believed in looking for the Good and praising it, which he did as he embraced life, until he made his transition at the age of 90. He believed in hugs and gave them freely and always had an encouraging word. Daddy was a dreamer with a purpose, an instrument of peace and goodwill, as he gave his whole life enthusiastically for others. Thank you, Dad! |
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