"In accepting, Schweitzer was apparently unaware that Aspen was half continent away from Chicago, the origin of the cable," according to James Brabazon, writing in his biography, "Albert Schweitzer. "He was under the impression that it might a suburb of the city or a nearby town. 'Schweitzer would not have come to America in the first place,' said Mrs. Paepcke later, 'had the great doctor not laboured under an illusion."
When he did arrive, Schweitzer felt the attitude. He said to have noted that "Aspen is built too close to heaven."
Brabazon also recounts this story.
"Schweitzer did not stay long on the heights of Aspen, but while he did the reporters were around him in droves, wanting a good quote or two. One, who had been keeping him from his dinner, said to him, 'You're a great man, but what is this business of Reverence for Life?'
"'Do you want to practice it,' asked Schweitzer, 'or do you want me to explain it to you?'
"'You explain it first,' said the reporter, 'and I'll decide if I want to practice it.'
"Schweitzer liked that.
"'If you let me let go and eat my soup while it's warm,' he said, 'you've already practiced Reverence for Life.'
"It proved a successful and lasting quote."
What's particularly exciting to me is that this summer a renaissance of Aspen interest in Schweitzer and his legacy has begun, with multiple 60th anniversary events centered at the Aspen Chapel, under Rev. Gregg Anderson's wonderful leadership, and commemorations by the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Aspen Institute. We are already beginning to plan additional Schweitzer-Aspen activities for 2010 and beyond, and would love to hear from people who are interested in this.
ReplyDeleteLachlan Forrow, MD
President, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
Harvard Medical School
Lforrow@bidmc.harvard.edu