Three years ago tonight....
LivinginNH
Member Posts: 1,456 Member
My dear friends,
As many of you know, my Rick passed away on Thanksgiving morning. But it was exactly this date and time three years ago that Rick was initially diagnosed with colon cancer. He had arrived home after spending a wonderful day with his son at a Boston Pops concert. He brought me home two signed CD's by the conductor, Keith Lockhart. We were about to go out to dinner a movie when he walked into the living room and announced that he had to go to the hospital. That moment is forever etched in my mind. My heart and life was shattered that night when we were told that horrible news.
I'd like to share a little about his life with you if I may. He battled on for these past three years with such determinism and optimism, never a cry of poor me, or even a tear. His typical statement to me was, "We'll just plow through it." or "One day at a time", no matter the pain or sickness that he endured. At 6'4", Rick was a "gentle giant", a wonderful partner, father and son, a true gentleman in every respect. He worked as an MIT Research Engineer, but he was so much more. He enjoyed cooking and making bread as hobbies, in addition to hiking, skiing, swimming, kayaking and camping (not the usual scientist hobbies, but that's what made him special.). In his younger days, he coached men's and women's volleyball while he studied at Rutgers for his graduate degree. He was my brave and courageous man, my true hero. My heart will forever feel a void without his presence in my life. I loved him so very very much.
This is a little late, but I want to thank everyone for your warm thoughts, prayers and support during this very difficult time. There were many days when I felt helpless, and you gave me hope and encouragement. Thank you my dear friends, you are such wonderful people and I'm so very fortunate to know each and every one of you.
With love,
Cynthia
As many of you know, my Rick passed away on Thanksgiving morning. But it was exactly this date and time three years ago that Rick was initially diagnosed with colon cancer. He had arrived home after spending a wonderful day with his son at a Boston Pops concert. He brought me home two signed CD's by the conductor, Keith Lockhart. We were about to go out to dinner a movie when he walked into the living room and announced that he had to go to the hospital. That moment is forever etched in my mind. My heart and life was shattered that night when we were told that horrible news.
I'd like to share a little about his life with you if I may. He battled on for these past three years with such determinism and optimism, never a cry of poor me, or even a tear. His typical statement to me was, "We'll just plow through it." or "One day at a time", no matter the pain or sickness that he endured. At 6'4", Rick was a "gentle giant", a wonderful partner, father and son, a true gentleman in every respect. He worked as an MIT Research Engineer, but he was so much more. He enjoyed cooking and making bread as hobbies, in addition to hiking, skiing, swimming, kayaking and camping (not the usual scientist hobbies, but that's what made him special.). In his younger days, he coached men's and women's volleyball while he studied at Rutgers for his graduate degree. He was my brave and courageous man, my true hero. My heart will forever feel a void without his presence in my life. I loved him so very very much.
This is a little late, but I want to thank everyone for your warm thoughts, prayers and support during this very difficult time. There were many days when I felt helpless, and you gave me hope and encouragement. Thank you my dear friends, you are such wonderful people and I'm so very fortunate to know each and every one of you.
With love,
Cynthia
0
Comments
-
love in your heart
I can hear the love in your heart for your Rick. You will always have that in your heart.
My heart goes out to you!
Debbie0 -
SharingLuckygirl2 said:love in your heart
I can hear the love in your heart for your Rick. You will always have that in your heart.
My heart goes out to you!
Debbie
Dear Cynthia,
Thank you for sharing more about Rick and the man he was. You must miss him so very very much.
But in your heart he is with you every day and he lives on in your children.
Big Hugs, Marjan0 -
Oh Hon
I think of you sitting at a table living over the memory of that moment, and I know the shock it brought into your life, and there was Rick, keeping strong and letting you know he would do his best to survive and had hope for the future. And it just was not to be. And I'm so sorry for that. I'm sorry for your alone moments.
But I'm so happy he was a wonderful man that loved you well and left you with memories of his strength, his joy, his love, his life, and while you cannot physically be with him, with your memories, he's there with you, and beside you whenever you need him, he lent you his strength and still lends it.
Hugs to you Cynthia,
Winter Marie0 -
He sounds like the type man
He sounds like the type man we should all try to emulate. There's no doubt that I fall short. You were both blessed with each other and he will always be with you. May you find peace knowing that he lived a great, wonderful, and caring life, and now is without these human struggles that we all endure. Hugs, Dan0 -
Sounds like he was a really
Sounds like he was a really neat guy. I'm so sorry he is gone. I hope you will continue to stay active with this board. Other caregivers and I will benefit from all you've learned going through your struggles, with Rick. I wish it didn't have to be this way for any of us.
Chelsea0 -
Love
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. You can hear in your words how much love there was between the two of you. You'll always have a family here on this board. I'm glad you had such a strong bond between the two of you as that is something you can always treasure. May God's peace be with you and family during this Holiday Season.
Hugs! Kim0 -
Thank you for sharing this.
What a beautiful portrait of a wonderful man. And what a huge loss to you, your family, and really the world. Many hugs, dear Cynthia~Ann Alexandria0 -
Dear Cynthia
There will always be many days on the calendar which bring back memories with Rick, hopefully most of them will be happier memories than the day you mentioned.
As someone who has been without a life companion, I can only envy that you were so very fortunate to have found and spent years with a man such as Rick.
That you now must travel life's road without him is difficult I know. When the worst of the feelings are upon you, bring out the wonderful memories you made with him.
Hugs and love,
Marie who loves kitties0 -
Cynthia , as per you say he was such an exceptionalk44454445 said:Cynthia
thank you for sharing more about Rick. i know from reading your posts that you two had a very special relationship that few people have. of course you miss him & your heart is heavy but he will always be tucked into your heart with love.
prayers
judy
man, just know that both of you will be always in my hart!
Sending my best wishes and prayers.0 -
CynthiaLovekitties said:Dear Cynthia
There will always be many days on the calendar which bring back memories with Rick, hopefully most of them will be happier memories than the day you mentioned.
As someone who has been without a life companion, I can only envy that you were so very fortunate to have found and spent years with a man such as Rick.
That you now must travel life's road without him is difficult I know. When the worst of the feelings are upon you, bring out the wonderful memories you made with him.
Hugs and love,
Marie who loves kitties
Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your wonderful Rick. I am sure that these days are difficult....be gentle with yourself. Rick accomplished so much in his all too short life. Having you and his children by his side was his greatest gift.
Hugs,
Cathleen Mary0 -
Cynthia
Cynthia,
Rick sounds like a wonderful, wonderful man. Thank you so much for sharing. You remain in my prayers.
Aloha,
Kathleen0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.8K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 309 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 397 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.4K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 792 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 237 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 61 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 539 Sarcoma
- 730 Skin Cancer
- 653 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards