Friday, April 10, 2009

All Good Things

All good things come to an end and Good Friday seems an apt day for endings. Eclipse has a great many contributors, not all of them well recognized. While many work in the foreground to make Eclipse what it is today, many more play important supporting roles in the background. Did you notice one of those background contributors in this picture from a previous blog?


I'll bet that when I said "It's important to keep in mind that although those in the foreground will tend to catch your eye, there's much more going on in the background than you might notice" you didn't take the hint to look more closely. If you had, you'd have seen Larry. As many of you know, he's been home since the beginning of February dying of cancer. He's been my guiding light for the past 27 years, so the girls and I did everything we could to make the end as dignified and comfortable as possible.


Today glioblastoma extinguished that light. Without him I might never have contributed to Eclipse and most certainly I would not have contributed as much. I don't use the word hate lightly, but I hate cancer and I despise glioblastoma for robbing his mind and then his life. Eclipse lost a significant contributor today and I lost something precious beyond measure. Thank goodness fond memories last a lifetime.


Value what you have while you have it because all good things come to an end.

32 comments:

Antoine Toulmé said...

Sinceres condoleances. Last year at the same date, I learnt my mother-in-law had died in a plane crash.

You need to keep on going, Ed. Get up every morning and go on.

John Duimovich said...

Ed,

I am so sorry for your loss.

The pain of losing a loved one after so many years is unimaginable but your memories of Larry sound wonderful. May they bring you solace during this sad time.

All the best,
John

Ian Skerrett said...

Ed,

I met Larry for the first time last year at ESE. He seemed like a great guy and a great partner. It is terribly sad to hear of his passing. I am sure you will miss him greatly.

All the best
Ian

pookzilla said...

I'm so sorry Ed. If there's anything we can do please let us know.

Anonymous said...

"Ample make this bed.
Make this bed with awe;
In it wait till judgment break
Excellent and fair.

Be its mattress straight,
Be its pillow round;
Let no sunrise' yellow noise
Interrupt this ground."

Kim Moir said...

Ed, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hate cancer too. Your post was very beautiful and poignant.

Kim

Simon McDuff said...

Ed, I'm sincerely sorry for your loss. Your blog was full of emotions!

Simon

Darin Swanson said...

We are sad that cancer has stolen Larry away.

Darin and Trisha

Daniel said...

I lost my father one year ago this month to lung cancer. I agree with you...I hate cancer.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Dan

Sandro Böhme said...

My deepest condolence Ed. This must be a hard time for you. I wish you all the power you need.

Dave said...

My deepest condolences to you, Ed. Larry was without question one of the kindest and most generous souls I've had the good fortune to meet. Treasure those memories.

Chris Aniszczyk (zx) said...

I'm sorry Ed, hang in there!

All the best.

Dave Orme said...

Deepest sympathies, Ed.

Marcelo Paternostro said...

Larry was someone special, which I was fortunate to meet.

We are here for you, Ed.

Steve said...

Ed,

I'm very sorry for you and for what has happened to Larry. It makes no sense, but we don't get to choose. We are all thinking of you.

Steve

K Matthias said...

Ed,

I know of no words that can help fill the emptiness you must be feeling. I'm terribly sorry for your loss. We're all thinking of you.

Karl

AlBlue said...

Sorry for your loss. Being there at the end is the best way of caring for someone.

Alex

Sharon Corbett said...

Ed;

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

I hope you find some comfort in the precious memories you have...

With deepest sympathy,
Sharon

Boris Bokowski said...

I am very sorry, Ed.

Thank you for writing about it. I don't know if I had the strength.

Take care.

Boris

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to hear the sad news Ed. Seems like yesterday we were all playing Mario Cart together. I'm sure Larry's in a better place now.

Stay strong. Keep in touch.
Craig

Eike Stepper said...

Dear Ed,

I'm glad that I was allowed to spend some time with Larry. I had fun with him and then I suffered with both of you. Let my imagination be one of the homey places to keep him without any pain.

"Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome." Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)

Ed, we are with you and we are here for you!

Denis Roy said...

Ed, this is so sad. My deepest sympathies.

jacqueline said...

Ed,

Don't know what to say. My sincere condoleances.

Jacqueline

Ian Bull said...

Rest in peace Larry, you were a wonderful man!

Hang in there Ed, we are all thinking of you.

Ian, Tricia, Sadie and Lily.

Anonymous said...

Ed,

my sincere condolences in these hard times.

Cancer took my dearest uncle away in 2002. I share your frustration.

Elias.

Doug Gaff said...

I'm very sorry Ed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

James said...

Sorry for your loss Ed.

James

Unknown said...

Ed,

I am so sorry to hear Larry has died. From all I heard about him I know he must have been a very good person and a great partner in your life. Seeing Larry's decline during the past few weeks of his life has been very challenging for me - how challenging it must have been for you! Although it was really hard on you, you were always friendly, calm and the most helpful person I have ever met. I could see the love you felt for Larry in everything you did for him. This will never be forgotten!

I am sure Larry is now at a place where all pain and tears will be wiped away:

He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth (Isaiah 25:8)Take care!
Peter, Anne, Sören, Lennart and Jonas

Simon Zambrovski said...

Ed,
Sorry for your loss.

Take care of you

Simon Z.

Robert Wloch said...

Ed,
my sincere condoleances and my deep respect for writing about it.

Take care,
Rob

Ted Epstein said...

Ed,

So very sorry to hear of your loss. My heartfelt condolences and best wishes for you and your family.

Kind Regards,
- Ted

Dennis in Vancouver said...

Your beautiful memories of Larry, a truly good man, and your exceptional devotion to him in his hour of greatest need will warm your heart forever, Ed.

Take good care,
Dennis