If it must end, Steve, and it must, I am happy that it could end this way.

With Apple the biggest, most respected, most innovative company in Silicon Valley, probably in all the world. With Apple worth more than any company. With Apple leading the next great revolution in computing and communications. With the grand new Apple HQ set in motion. With an executive team that is second to none. With the institute of higher learning that is the Apple Way now in progress. With enough money to weather the slings and arrows of a brutal global technology marketplace.

And you, proven right.

Your vision, your efforts, your values; not only have they changed the world, they have been embraced, during your life. And you, honored. You were considered high-tech's man of the year when Jimmy Carter was President. And, again, when America was led by a black man with the funny name of Barack Obama. 

Still, leading Apple, building the best products, getting the best from your people and, truly, changing the world, are never easy to give up, I imagine. That is all you have ever wanted to do, even when you couldn't and forces, briefly, kept you away. 

Now it's over. 

In your briefly worded resignation letter, you find the words to say that, while your health may prevent you from leading the company, as CEO, you want to remain an Apple employee. 

This is neither surprising nor unexpected. Apple is your creation. You are its father -- and savior. And, though you may fully believe that Apple's "brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it," and given everything you have done for and with the company you may indeed be correct, we all can understand that bittersweet moment when age, life, health and the constant flux of all about us, seen and unseen, requires us to let go.

As with your products, your announcement, written as if by a father, to remain a part of Apple, was simple, elegant, stirring, and points to something greater. It is a moment, a realization, a desire, a sad profound request. 

The platitudes, no doubt, have already begun pouring in. While never the easiest, or nicest, or most accessible of human beings, no one can doubt your accomplishments, or question the rightness and fullness of your vision. 

What more is there to say?

You empowered people. You liberated creativity. You emboldened those of us who knew we possessed talent, if hidden, yet feared our passion, feared our very potential; making it safe for us to express our best self and enabling that expression to touch all. In a world of cynicism and distraction, you revealed, again and again, the power of focus and belief.

While enriching millions, literally, and building the richest company in the world.

Has such a thing ever been achieved by anyone, anywhere? 

How can we convey your impact upon our lives, individually, and connected, given such achievements?

Thank you. Truly.

As Buddha said, "it is better to travel well than to arrive."

Like hundreds of millions of others, you have well led me on a journey. I do not wish for it to end.