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Never Forget To Laugh: Personal Recollections of Bill Thetford, Co-Scribe of A Course In Miracles

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If you have read and enjoyed "The lives of Helen Schucman and William Thetford" by Neal Vahle then I recommend that you read Carol Howe's book: "Never Forget To Laugh: Personal Recollections of Bill Thetford, Co-Scribe of A Course In Miracles". Although Neal Vahle's book is a well documented account of the lives of both scribes in which he includes Carol among the many people who had a major impact on Bill, Carol's book adds the depth that comes from truly knowing someone, having personally participated in his life. Neal recounts how Judy Skutch remarked in 1979, shortly after meeting Carol, "I know why you are here. Bill needs to be socialized. I bequeath you Bill." And thus began Carol's friendship with Bill.

Even though some of the material in Neal's book is also in Carol's book, Never Forget To Laugh: Personal Recollections of Bill Thetford, Co-Scribe of A Course In Miracles is not simply a work of research. Carol brings a very unique perspective: Bill had been a house guest in Carol's home; he had taken road trips with Carol, along with her husband Bob; and Bill had also participated with Carol at various Course events - as well as just simply meditating together.

Carol's reflections gave me a very personal sense of Bill, as if I had known him all my life. If you are a A Course in Miracles student, then Bill has already touched your life. With this book, Carol has given all of us glimpses of another dimension of Bill. He is our Brother and our Friend and someone who will always be a part of our lives. Treat yourself to this gift from Carol and find your connection with the beautiful and gentle soul of Bill Thetford.

Carol Howe brilliantly conveys the unfolding of Bill Thetford's life and emotional and spiritual growth which is fasinating and inspiring in itself. She tells us about the most interesting and committed people along with Bill and Helen Schucman who helped make A Course in Miracles a reality. Her inclusion of uniquely relevant and clarifying Course principles and concepts serves as delightful reinforcement encouraging completion of the Course by healing our relationships as Bill ultimately did. I experienced her material "working on me" similarliy to the Course. Reading and experiencing Never Forget to Laugh for me was a deep emotional, healing experience - a profoundly life changing one!

Excellent background to the Course in Miracles - and an example of it working in action on the man who co-wrote it. I was most surprised to find it working on me as I read - I thought it was supposed to be about Bill Thetford! Highly recommended.

A must have for anyone interested in A Course In Miracles. As I read this true story of the first person to successfully complete the Course, not only was I fascinated and inspired, but Source spoke to me, and will speak to you, through the author's language and Bill's story. Gratefully, I will never again forget to laugh.

"Never Forget To Laugh" is here! It's the book every aficionado of "A Course In Miracles" craved while reading it, the back story of the co-scribes and how "The Course" came to be. Carol Howe outdoes herself in scholarship, literary pyrotechnics, and love in writing about her friend and mentor, Bill Thetford.

A happy anomaly for me is that I know both the author and editor, Sarah Whalen Kraft, a lifetime friend of Carol's and a longtime pal of mine. Together they turned out a fine finish!

The first section summaries Bill's early life, then segues to his career as a noted medical psychologist at Columbia. The book has legs - nothing padded nor anything important left out, therefore, arriving at a steady pace.

The last section deals with Carol's longtime friendship with Bill, starting with the early days A Course In Miracles was "out there," through their easy and inspirational friendship until his death.

I bought my copy of "A Course In Miracles" from Carol on New Year's Eve 1980 and immediately began a love hate relationship with it, oft reported by those profoundly affected by it, as in who wants a step by step hand holding through letting go of treasured grievances, those a person feels entitled to carry for an eternity! But therein lies it's seduction, you never get taken off the hook to keep any of them.

I once spent a glorious afternoon with Bill Thetford and thought I was in the presence of the Buddha, and will let Carol's treatise on him in Never Forget to Laugh (Bill's lifelong tagline) convince you that he was a breath of fresh air with a hint of honeysuckle.

The book is suspenseful because Carol alludes to the "author" but doesn't tell you who it is. I know students of ACIM who believe the historical Jesus came through Helen Schucman, others say she tapped into her Higher Self for the words. The authorship is the biggest "Who dunnit?" guess in all of modern spiritual teachings.

This book is a true companion to ACIM, of which there have been more than a few, but this one is the best hands down.

Bridget Wright Warner, M.A., Counseling

Sometimes a historical pespective helps shape current understandings. So it is with Bill Thetford and A Course In Miracles. Carol Howe's presentation on Bill clearly demonstrates what ACIM is saying over and over about ego and Holy Spirit and to do so in a most convincing manner. Bill was truly an excellent example of the whole process of "suit up, show up and trust the process!" Ted Brunell, ACIM Facilitator, Portland, Oregon.

Thank you for this wonderful work! It was a gift to learn so much about the man whom lived the Course from its start. I recommend this book to every Course in Miracles student!

"Never Forget to Laugh", Carol Howe's wonderfully written biography of Dr Bill Thetford, is so much more than the story of one man's remarkable life. It can also serve as a guidebook for living for anyone who is blessed to read it. In this book, we see how Dr Thetford was able to experience the healing of his own relationships and grievances. We also see him become a truly spiritual being who was able to hear the Voice of God and follow the clear direction that the Voice gave him. This book can serve as a blueprint for us to do the same. It is a book to be studied, underlined in, and incorporated into one's soul. Full of comfort and joy and wisdom!!!If everyone who reads it can make the changes Dr Thetford did, then we would all be living in a much better world.

This is YOUR opportunity to read a book where every word is filled with Loving Gratitude!
In reading Never Forget to Laugh you will experience A Course In Miracles come to life!
It matters not if you have ever heard of A Course in Miracles. This is about waking up and being who we are truly created to BE.
The essence of the depth of knowing LOVE will wash over you, be willing and ALLOW.
The liquidity of Carol's words infuse me with only the warmth and glow I know as love.
ENJOY
Susan Hales

This work by Ms. Howe is profoundly moving. She gently reveals the demonstration of a hero in the truest sense. There is no way I can describe the gratitude I feel for her documenting Dr. Thetford's contribution to the healing our mind. If you would like to KNOW the spirit of A Course in Miracles, read this book.