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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

Do Not Go Gentle

I am continually amazed at both the fragility and the tenacity of life. How even in the womb some nascent humans defy tremendous odds, gestate healthily, and are born robustly at the end of term while others are not viable even in the first trimester of life. How some can fight a disease for years and continue to be victors, and yet how some succumb quickly.

It is not my intent to be maudlin, but to just state as fact, with reverence and respect that our good friend Martin died last night after a heroic fight with cancer. Just one week ago, the doctors informed him and his wife that there was nothing more that could be done: the chemo and the stem cell transplant had been unsuccessful.

So for the next few days I will help my friend Carol at their home and while they sit shiva, I will do whatever I can to help.

17 comments:

Purple Flowers said...

Kathy - I'm sorry for the loss of Martin. I found there are so few to say shortly after someone passes. You are doing exactly what a good friend could do - be there.

Lena said...

Kathy,

I am a sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Your friend Carol is lucky to have you.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Sorry to learn of your loss. I'm sure your friend will find comfort in your being there for her.

Rick Rockhill said...

My condolences on Martin. May he rest in peace.

Cheryl said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Life is mysterious. Every day alive is a blessing.

Jamie said...

Oh Kathy, I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts. Hugs.

happyone said...

I am so sorry to hear that your friend died. I will pray for you and his family.

I had a friend Brenda who fought leukemia. The doctor told her she had 1 year to live. I met her during the second year and knew her for 14 years until she died.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry Kathy, my condolences! Big hug, Carmela.

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

oh, Kathy how sad. Im glad Carol has you near by..I'm glad Martin is no longer ill but I'm sorry he had to leave his love.
My sympathies to your friends family.

Thinking of you
With love,
Elizabeth

bonnie said...

I'm so sorry. And I am sad. It's not death that makes me sad, it's the heroic fight and the loss for Carol. And the knowing. You are a good friend, someone who I would want to be with me at such a time.

fiwa said...

I'm so sorry to hear that. You are a good friend to be there for the family.

Brad said...

You have another angel watching out for you now.

Anonymous said...

(Thx Kathy, it's a beautiful quote indeed. I will write that on down in my note book. That's funny that we share the same (middle) name. How did your mother came up with that name??) Mine read it in a book while she was pregnant and thought it would be beautiful name baby girl like that. )

Andrew said...

My condolences go out to you and your friend. I am thinking of you.

beachgirl said...

My condolences to you and your friends.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I am so sorry that you've lost a friend.

Neponset River Bridge Dig said...

Peace