Dearest Friends,
It is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I have to let you know that Gary's cancer has spread to another part of his brain. For 2-1/2 years he fought the fought bravely and valiantly against the ugly beast of brain cancer. Our quality of life has been extraordinary during this time as we have shared time with our family, friends, and heroic medical personnel.
We've got Hospice care now and will remain in our Southern California home. After 33 years of marriage to this wonderful man, I have to say that I continue to be madly in love with him as he is with me. He is at peace with life and has no regrets.
A dear friend brings us communion every day and he says the Lord's Prayer along with us. Knowing that he has come to love our Lord is a great comfort to us both.
I've repeatedly asked him what his wishes are for a memorial service and he says he doesn't want anything. He never liked to be the center of attention and says that he has said all of his goodbyes during this journey and feels peace in his relationships. We are honored to have so many wonderful friends in both La Quinta and in Bend that it would be hard to pick where a service would even be. Our immediate family will celebrate his life in July somewhere around his 70th birthday.
Thank you for caring and following our journey through this difficult disease. Please pray for him and know that he always felt "Life is Good".
Virginia
Friday, April 23, 2010
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Why now?
All is well, so why now?
Well, we have been extremely touched by the care and attention so many of you have showered upon us over the past 6 months (yes, this whole thing started 6 months ago, ie. 11/27/07). Throughout this time, we've had ups and downs and many of you have shared them with us and lifted us up with your love. When this first started, I sent out emails to our beloved prayer chain warriors, our faithful families and friends. Undoubtedly and unintentionally, people who care about both of us were missed.
As snowbirds, we have returned to our home in Bend, Oregon and we miss our "Southern Friends" who have done the same thing by going home to countless beautiful communities throughout the United States and Canada. This offers an opportunity to occasionally check on Gary's progress and post your comments.
My focus is Gary, so sometimes the phone call I "should" make to friends isn't made. I'll try to update this blogsite once a week to say hello and let you know how he's doing. Please don't hesitate to call us or check this blog from time to time and leave a comment.
We know that you worry about Gary and me and hope that this will give you some comfort.
Hope it works for you. Works for me.
We're sending our love to you through this blog. Please keep him in your prayers.
Virginia and Gary
Well, we have been extremely touched by the care and attention so many of you have showered upon us over the past 6 months (yes, this whole thing started 6 months ago, ie. 11/27/07). Throughout this time, we've had ups and downs and many of you have shared them with us and lifted us up with your love. When this first started, I sent out emails to our beloved prayer chain warriors, our faithful families and friends. Undoubtedly and unintentionally, people who care about both of us were missed.
As snowbirds, we have returned to our home in Bend, Oregon and we miss our "Southern Friends" who have done the same thing by going home to countless beautiful communities throughout the United States and Canada. This offers an opportunity to occasionally check on Gary's progress and post your comments.
My focus is Gary, so sometimes the phone call I "should" make to friends isn't made. I'll try to update this blogsite once a week to say hello and let you know how he's doing. Please don't hesitate to call us or check this blog from time to time and leave a comment.
We know that you worry about Gary and me and hope that this will give you some comfort.
Hope it works for you. Works for me.
We're sending our love to you through this blog. Please keep him in your prayers.
Virginia and Gary
15 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear this news! We love Gary and our thoughts are with both of you. God Bless!
Doug, Laurie, Claire and Corinne
May God's peace surround you during this time of transition. Our pastor talks of the passage as going "from this life to more life." Your love as been a beacon to us all.
Janet Pearson
Bend, OR
We are so sorry to hear this very sad news. I know God is with Gary and you in this very difficult time. We feel very blessed to have you both in our lives. Will be saying a prayer in church tomorrow.
Love alwasy and foreve,
Ruthie and Todd
We are praying for you both in this very difficult time in your lives. I know God is with Gary at this time. We have been very blessed to have a wonderful brother-in-law.
I will say an extra prayer in church tomorrow.
Ruthie and Todd
My heart is so heavy. I will never forget how special Gary made each and every one of us at Impulse feel. Even when I had to pick him up in my beat up car and he had to climb over the driver side seat to the passenger side did he ever make me feel bad. We just laughed about it :) His wisdom, strength and humor - inspiring. His obvious love for you Virginia - touching. Thank you Gary for reminding us that yes, "Life is Good". Sending you love, peace, and comfort. We love you very much.
Melissa, Danny, Hannah, and Bryson
Ripon, CA
We heard the news a couple days ago and have been hoping you are doing all right. So, so sorry to hear about Gary. What a wonderful person. You are lucky you had 33 great years with him. We always loved being around him. He makes everyone feel so comfortable and important. It's so hard to know what to say at a difficult time like this, but we want you to know we are praying for you and know God will take good care of Gary. With tears in my eyes God bless you both.
Lady Dar, Jim too
Gary and Virginia, Mark and I are so saddened to hear of Gary's cancer progressing!
I think of you two often, and want you to know you have always held such a tender place in my heart. Gary, peace be with you during your journey. I truly believe we will all see each other on the other side. I am sorry you are having to go through this pain.
Our prayers are with you for strength and understanding. My love to you both.
Elise & Mark
Hi Grinny and Grandfather. No words can adequately express our sorrow. We love you both so very much, and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you can have some peace and take comfort in the Lord, and know that Grandfather will be in everyone's hearts forever. Much love to you both. Ron, Heather, Evan and Jason Rubio
Helen, Jerome and I are saddened to hear the latest medical update. We love you and admire your achievements in life. Thanks for all you have done for us and the rest of the family. Dave
Dearest Virginia...
Even though we knew that somewhere in the future this day would come (we were all hoping it would be many years' time), it is hard to accept. You are the true angel in Gary's life - all of our hearts are breaking....You are in our thoughts constantly...
Love
Clive & Linda
Virginia, I have heard that Gary has now entered "the full embrace of God's love." I am so very sorry for your loss. Even from afar, I and many others were touched and strengthened by Gary's courageous struggle with the illness that claimed him. God's deep blessings and peace on you in the days ahead. Peace, Greg Ledbetter
Virginia,
I was very sad to hear from Jemma that Gary had passed. He was a very special person who always made me laugh.
I know what it's like to lose the love of your life. My dear Owen has been gone 14 years now from the same insidious disease. What I do know about the process is that the tears get smaller and eventually we do heal. I'm sure that you are comforted, as I am, in knowing that Gary and Owen will always be with us.
With great sympathy,
Jo Anna Philips
love you Uncle G and miss you already. your are on my heart and mind always and I know you are looking over my shoulder.
I LOVE YOU.
bre
Dear Virginia,
Heather and I have been following yours and Gary's journey on his blog site and been inspired by the strength and love of both of you. I see today that Gary is now completely in God's embrace, and our hearts hurt no longer for him but for you. We wish you all that you will need to get through this heart wrenching time, and ask you to remember with a smile all the good that you both brought to so many of our lives. With warmest regards, Victor Ivashin
I was so sad to see this blog of Gary passing. I worked at Impulse in 1989 for about a year. He was always so kind to me I was barley out of high school and newly married. Virginia and Gary made it easy for me to work there and I had no experience in marine electronics. Gary would ask me each morning how's it going. I learned alot at Impulse and it prepared me for my next job. God bless you and your family its a blessing to know Gary was a Christian and is with the Lord
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