Tuesday, May 11, 2010

May 6, 2010

Dear Friends,
Gary’s battle with brain cancer ended on Thursday, May 6, 2010 around 10:30 p.m. Miraculously, he was blessed with no pain during his 2 year, 8 month journey, which is remarkable for this disease. He was confident that he would meet Our Lord in Heaven and all of the wonderful people who have gone before him.

I have found this to be very comforting and hope you do too.

Thank you for your kind support during this time. I will miss him terribly, but he told me to:
1. Be Strong
2. Be Careful
3. Don’t walk like an old lady (so Gary)

Virginia

You can shed tears that he has gone.
Or, you can smile that he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back.
Or, you can open your eyes and see all he’s left you.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him.
Or, your heart can be full with the love you’ve shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday.
Or, you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he’s gone.
Or, you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back.
Or, you can do what he would want . . . .
Smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.
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2 comments:

Unknown said...

Gary was wonderful to us and our family. Never pretentious, what you saw was what you got. A sweet, kind, respectable man that dearly loved his family and friends. He will be missed and we are better people for knowing him. Our love goes out to his forever friend and wife..Virginia!
Lovingly, Mike Velkinburg and Lenny Payne

May 18, 2010 at 10:13 AM
wayne perron said...

virginia, Im sorry to hear of your loss, Gary and my dad started Western Marine together and Ive been lookin on line for him for some time,,,Im sorry I didnt find this link earlier, I wish I could have talked to him..if you would like to contact me, Im at wayneperron@aol.com , thanks wayne

September 18, 2010 at 5:10 PM

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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