Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Force
Dennis has slowed down considerably over the past four days and speaks only when necessary. He does so enjoy having the emails and comments that friends and family have sent read to him. He nods in acknowledgement as we read to him, his face softening. Members of the hospice team have separately commented on his strong and determined spirit. Dennis continues to be a force to be reckoned with.
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Hi, Dennis, I am thinking of you tonight, and send positive thoughts and prayers to you all. Is there an award for blog spots, you should get it, amazing. I loved seeing the drawing your daughter did. Wish I lived closer, I would love to see all of you. You are surrounded by love, Vicki
ReplyDeleteDennis, you always have been a force!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this difficult part of your life with everyone. You are a warrior in every positive sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you and you family.
Anne
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteThe TWINs (all ten of us -- and you're one of the few who understand that) miss you and are always thinking of you.
Peter
sending love your way Jille
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can't be there physically and it is not possible to talk, Dennis, but you are everywhere on campus with the people you know. We stop each other in the doorways, in the hallways, over lunch and over the phone, and we talk about you. Sure - we cry thoughts and tears, but mostly we smile as we recite the stories that describe how you touched our lives. There is so much energy here, connecting to you, that I can't imagine that you would not feel our physical presence. We are with you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Götz
Dennis you once said to me, "where are you going and who are you going with and never confuse the two". No words could have been more true. Sorry to say that I did confuse the two, but you know the Irish - a bit thick in the head! So I say "thank you" to you. Your strength, words, wisdom and outlook on life, art and education (and so much more) have been, and still are, one hell of a foundation that I continue to build upon. Know that my thoughts and prayers have always been there for you and your family.
ReplyDeletePeace my friend,
jaimie
p.s. that is one hell of a drawing your daughter did! apple didn't fall too far from the tree!
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI have been a lucky beneficiary, having spent so much time with you. I think of you as a brother. You and your family are constantly in my thougths.
Glenn
Think of you often, fondly, in an effort to send such strength and peace as you may borrow from your friends. Our love to you all from the Bowman household.
ReplyDeleteDennis and Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteMy mom just mentioned this blog to me today and it has been a pleasure to read though. You all are a very strong bunch and you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Audrey
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI know Rebecca told you that I called yesterday. She gave me the blogspot info, but I'm so tech retarded that it took until now to figure out how to fully tap into the site. (I take it back. It wasn't supposed to show up with my name and photo. YIKES!!!!)
I miss your amazing metaphors! I always marveled at the way the juxtaposition of things just rolled off your tongue.
I wish you an easy, gentle journey now--carried along by all those who have adored, admired and loved you.
Peace be with you.
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd post some of my all-time favorite Dennis memories:
1. Your claim to have been on a Nebraskan football scholarship... which I actually believed.
2. Teaching me how to grill salmon (which I still do... 3-4 minutes per side on a slice of lemon).
3. Your humorous take on my "taking meds for the rest of his life" comment.
4. Rocketing off the springboard into the pool in your backyard.
5. Playing Cranium at our place with Bec and the girls.
6. Bonfire on the beach at Cape Cod.
7. Playing paddle ball on the Jersey shore.
8. The nautilus shell with the fibonacci series.
9. Being part of my research project for Stanford.
10. Coming off the plane in the blue wig.
11. Your jam session with Zoe in the studio.
12. Endless hours of just hanging out.
Thank you for the beautiful memories and for sharing your sense of humor, your stories, and your laughter.
With love,
Rebecca
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteEvery day I get great pleasure from looking at the beautiful pastel drawing of a cactus that you gave me for my birthday in 1986. The jade green cactus, smack in the center against a blue ground, is thin and straight and ressembles a figure. It reminds me of your enduring, rugged, and resilient character.
with warmth and affection,
Bonnie
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI will always remember you coming to work with your kids when they were younger and enjoying watching them ride their bike or skateboard up an down the hallway.
Peace and strength to you and your family.
Dear Guitar Dennis,
ReplyDeleteYou have been a great mentor, friend, leader and still continue to be a source of inspiration for us all.
I miss our small breakout jam sessions and playful witty banter, but your
words still carry in everyone’s thoughts and hearts. I like to think in this
next journey you will have a skip in your step, a guitar in one hand, a
creative idea forming in the other, a sharp comeback poised on your lips and
love all around you. Your opus is your life and you have touched everyone in
it. Its melody will live on and I know I will carry it for the rest mine.
Sherman
Dearest Dennis,
ReplyDeleteWords cannot convey the depth and breadth of gratitude I feel for having the opportunity to call you my friend. Anything I write ends up seeming like a faint version of something that I know to be far more vibrant. You have a presence that is fiercely gentle and sagely curious, a presence that cannot help but improve the spiritual and creative lot of anyone who comes into contact with you. You have been a rich blessing on my life. My cup indeed overflows with all that you've given me. I thank you and thank you and thank you. I love you.
Geoff
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteYou are with me so much of the day. I picture you with your lovely ladies nearby keeping you comfortable. It's hard to express how much Rebecca's writing has meant to all of us. It has truly been a gift to be able to open up this blog and read her thoughtful, intimate words. Over the years, I have loved my moments of fun with you in the office and appreciated your thoughtful comments in meetings -wishing that I thought like you. Many memories are there, but my favorite is when we started to dance at one of the Christmas parties and your beautiful smile when we found we could dance the same steps as if we had rehearsed them for weeks. I'm grateful for all of it. With much love to you, Jane (Anonymous Likens)
Dennis, I feel privileged and honored that our paths have crossed.
ReplyDeleteDino
Hi Dennis
ReplyDeleteI sent a message via e-mail but also wanted to post in the community. In the few years we have known one another, you have definitely impacted my life more than you realized. Your candor, wit, creativity and gentileness are just wonderful to be around and the way I wanted to be with my students. You made me feel a part of the PhilU Family, even just being an adjunct who was not around as much. I hold that glowing recommendation you wrote me so close to my heart and was really touched after you gave it to me.
I am so appreciative and blessed to know you.
-kristin