Remembrance

Within the last week, three people who had an impact on my life, or the lives of my family, passed away after valiant battles with cancer. I felt compelled to remember each of these fine people today.

Dr. Jane – Our neighbor, a local pediatrician and single mom, died last Thursday. She was in her mid-40s. Although I didn’t know Jane very well, when I did interact with her, she was always very kind, often interweaving her wry sense of humor in her dialogue. She leaves behind two children, ages 11 and 9. What made this event even more tragic was that her boyfriend skipped out on her during her treatment and scammed her out of most of her savings. She lost her house, which is now in foreclosure. Luckily, her ex-husband, who is a super-great guy (not sure why the marriage didn’t work, but things happen), helped move her belongings out of her home and continued to maintain the yard, as did all the neighbors to try to lend a hand. He told me that in the end, he and Jane had mended fences and were at peace with each other. She died at her mother’s home. God bless Dr. Jane.

Ms. Carol – My daughter’s pre-school teacher died of cancer last Friday morning. She had been teaching up until earlier this year and her diagnosis came as a major surprise. What’s even more startling is how quickly it took its toll and, ultimately, her life. Ms. Carol adored all of the kids she worked with and while she was quiet and reserved, not as lively and outgoing as my daughter’s other teacher (two teachers per room), her calming presence had a profound impact on the kids. While Ms. Carol was on sick leave, my daughter said, “I miss Ms. Carol. She always patted me during nap time when I couldn’t sleep.” Sigh.

Ms. Carol, we are so blessed that our child had you as a teacher in your final moments on this earth. You will be deeply missed. May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

David Dick – Since Mr. Dick was a public figure, I’ll include his full name in this entry. He died this past weekend.

David Dick was a professor at the University of Kentucky, a former CBS news correspondent and author of many outstanding non-fiction and fiction books. He was the first journalist on the scene at the Jonestown massacre and won an Emmy for his coverage of the attempted assassination of Gov. George Wallace. He was also a professor of mine and the reason I switched majors. I started out as a Journalism major, but was not happy with the curriculum. After a discussion with Mr. Dick, he mentioned that he had been an English major at UK. He said it broadened his educational opportunities and honed his writing skills in a way that the journalism school couldn’t have done. I followed his advice and it was the best decision I could have ever made.

Years later, I ran into him at an arts and literary event where he and his wife, Lallie, were selling copies of his many books and autographing them. I stopped by to say hi and he said he would write that moment in his journal, which he did on the spot. I felt honored by that gesture. Mr. Dick, may heaven turn out to be just as beautiful as your homestead in Plum Lick, Ky., which you often wrote about fondly.
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