Don has received cards, letters and calls from family and friends over the last months. Here are just a few of the messages of encouragement and strength... "I know how grateful you are for your family at this time and feel overwhelmed at their dedication but try to accept that you are giving them a wonderful gift to be with you on this journey. I know that when I had to decide to fight or give in, I was leaning toward giving up because I did not want to put my family through a long period of doing for me. However, it was my youngest son, Steve, who was so angry that I would not fight to live and for me to give them the opportunity to do for me what I would do for them. He said I was selfish and thought only of myself, that he knew I was a fighter and I would let him down. So I did not want to leave without at least trying, knowing that the final decision when and if it got too much I had the final say.
I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart although he spoke no word.
I know you wouldn't mind.
I asked him to send treasures of a far lasting kind.
I asked that he be near you at the start of each new day.
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share you way.
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small.
But it was for his loving care I prayed the most of all.
You are in our thoughts here in Ct, Your loving Aunt Marie and Tom"
I felt the answer in my heart although he spoke no word.
I know you wouldn't mind.
I asked him to send treasures of a far lasting kind.
I asked that he be near you at the start of each new day.
To grant you health and blessings and friends to share you way.
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small.
But it was for his loving care I prayed the most of all.
You are in our thoughts here in Ct, Your loving Aunt Marie and Tom"
"I think about you often and you are always included in my memories and stories of my adventures in climbing even though they were small and insignificant when compared to yours. I always enjoyed Matt's colorful stories of your adventures. Don, you're a great person and you were an outstanding mentor to me as I was learning to climb in Gary's class. You were a good example of remaining calm when in a stressful environment. That is something I am trying to figure out now. I am going through Portland's Fire Academy and I am struggling a bit trying to keep my composure in stressful situations.
Where did time go? Life seemed so simple when you took Matt and I up Beacon Rock 16 years ago. That was a great day. I was 20 yrs old and in charge of my own destiny and untouchable by the burdens and stresses of life. You bought us the first beer I ever had on the way back...Henry Weinhardt Ale. Thanks for that. I got drunk on more of it that night. Met my wife for the first time that night as well. Don, take care of yourself. You'll stay in my thoughts and prayers, Bruce."
"What I've learned this year is that there are a lot of dedicated people willing to help cure the disease. There is also an even greater force of humanity lending support. We are all pulling for you guys. Thoughts and prayers are in your corner. Be strong....(cousin) Matthew"
Where did time go? Life seemed so simple when you took Matt and I up Beacon Rock 16 years ago. That was a great day. I was 20 yrs old and in charge of my own destiny and untouchable by the burdens and stresses of life. You bought us the first beer I ever had on the way back...Henry Weinhardt Ale. Thanks for that. I got drunk on more of it that night. Met my wife for the first time that night as well. Don, take care of yourself. You'll stay in my thoughts and prayers, Bruce."
"What I've learned this year is that there are a lot of dedicated people willing to help cure the disease. There is also an even greater force of humanity lending support. We are all pulling for you guys. Thoughts and prayers are in your corner. Be strong....(cousin) Matthew"
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