This is an email I wrote to Mike two days ago and represents what I would like to tell him believing he can still know what I say:

Hi, Mike,

It's Linda Jones checking back in with you about 50 years later!  I only went to one or two early reunions, so in case you don't remember me, it's understandable.  I started off on the coast in La Máquina with Debbie Cornue and later moved to a tiny village near Cuyotenenango called El Salto Tululá.  El Salto can mean a water fall, and there was a small one, but it could also mean a "jumping off place" and I liked that fit better!  ¶I didn't do anything outstanding while I was there, just the usual of helping the community with their plans for a road, a school, and a bridge, and bringing in Group VI guys like Skip and John to help with corn planting techniques. But it was fun, wasn't it.  I just keep thinking how very lucky I was to have been in Peace Corps.  I met people like you that I remember for life and it got me started in international work. ¶ I spent a lot of time with the Dept of Agriculture in their international cooperation and development area, helped set up programs between ag. scientists in the U.S. and other countries.  I also managed to get overseas several times to live and work, taking my kids with me.  My son, who is 47 now, never did catch the travel bug I had.  But my daughter who is just 29 (adopted from Honduras) enjoyed living 3 years in Puerto Rico--the last of my work years, and she loves travel and follows international news.  ¶ I was very sorry to hear from Lynn that you weren't well.  I always admired you so.  You seemed to have courage and determination in Peace Corps that many of us had trouble finding.  Despite the fact that it was enjoyable and engrossing, just the sheer amount of work was often exhausting. You were a great example for the rest of us. And together, I think Guatemala VI was a really good Peace Corps group.  ¶Of all the work I did, I'm probably proudest of the time in Peace Corps.  It made me very happy to be an American, feeling like we were all working to carry out John F. Kennedy's dream.   So, if you are able to think about your earthly ventures, surely you will think back on the Peace Corps times, the people, the jobs, the travels, the meetings in Panajachel and Guatemala City.  You will remember all of the times where you gave it your all and be glad and proud of what you contributed, much of which made a significant difference in Guatemala.  ¶ Peace Corps was a "calling" really, and we were both lucky to be called.  ¶ I send all the best to you.  You will be in my heart forever.   Linda