Bill Jennings's Photoblog
Memories : in honor of Donna on Lou Gehrig's B'day
Posted by Bill Jennings ((Bay Area Northern Calif), United States) on 19 June 2009 in Miscellaneous and Portfolio.
My first wife died of Lou Gehrigs in 2000 - here is a photo from a trip we took to visit my parents in the mountains of Tennessee in the Fall of 1993, before my father died next spring from Pancreatic cancer. We were married in June 1995.
Lou Gehrigs (ALS) is a very tough diagnosis - and today is the birthday of a great American baseball player that contracted that disease.
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On June 19, 1939, on his 36th birthday, doctors at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed Lou Gehrig with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare neurodegenerative disease. Although his baseball career was cut short by ALS, Lou Gehrig is remembered as one of the greatest and most inspiring sports figures ever. Lou’s baseball career and his life, shortened by the disease that would ultimately bear his name, was filled with awe-inspiring courage, unselfishness and gratitude in everything he did.
Lou’s legacy of courage and determination helps to inspire thousands of persons who are diagnosed with ALS each year. Honor Lou’s legacy by supporting the work of The ALS Association. Participate in the Covering All the Bases® Hitting Challenge as part of “4♦ALS Awareness”, Major League Baseball’s campaign honoring of the 70th Anniversary of Lou’s memorable and touching “Luckiest Man” speech on July 4th.
If you have already participated, thank you! You have provided tremendous hope to persons with ALS by supporting patient service programs, research, advocacy, education and public awareness. Please extend your support by passing on this message to friends and family.
Just made it home after a month of travel - posted a few photos from my journey to within 48 miles of the antartica circle: at nearly the longest day of the year: hence, there was 21 hours a day of sunlight...
Thank you for your patience while I was out of touch.
I do hope you followed Bob Kelly's blog (my roommate) while he is still traveling - he is now on Easter Island - and will be updating his blog for some time to come - please check it out!
EstherK from Kota Kinabalu, SABAH, Malaysian Borneo, Malaysia
May Donna rest in peace. Thank you for sharing, Bill.
19 Jun 2009 5:40am
@EstherK: Thank you Esther for your thoughts and prayers for Donna.
Barbara from Florida, United States
A very honorable tribute and awareness for this difficult disease. I can see natural beauty inside and out. You hold kind memories I'm sure.
My condolences to you, thank you for sharing, Bill.
19 Jun 2009 5:50am
@Barbara: Barbara, thank you for your kind words regarding Donna - she was a special lady, and I was fortunate to enjoy the time together that we had. I miss her, but also know she taught me what it meant to be a good husband, and I'm thankful for that.
zOOm from Paris, France
A great and moving tribute Bill. Those diseases are nightmares.
19 Jun 2009 6:00am
@zOOm: yes, they are nightmares, IF you get to sleep... It was a hell of a year.
Matt from Gainesville, United States
Very touching. Thank you very much for sharing something so large and immediate in your life.
19 Jun 2009 6:24am
@Matt: She died nearly a decade ago, but I help ALS association in some way each year: my hope is that someday they find a means to make the disease at least manageabie. I have great admiration for researchers in this field - they have my blessings and I pray that fewer families must experience this in the future.
Dulcie from Danville, United States
This is a heartbreaking disease and you have shared so openly about it. I lost my uncle and then his son, my cousin, to Lou Gehrig's disease as well. It was devastating to our family, so I can understand a little of what Donna and you must have gone through.
19 Jun 2009 6:40am
@Dulcie: I can't imagine so many in your family having been affected: my heart reachs out to you: I couldn't imagine two generations so close to you having been afflicted. Sorry to hear it hit so close to you - I wouldn't wish this disease onto anyone.
Sarito from Basingstoke, United Kingdom
A great tribute Bill. Thanks for sharing with us!
19 Jun 2009 7:27am
@Sarito: Thank you Sarito for reading this tribute. May all families with sick family members have the strength to work through their challenges.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
Being a nurse and having what patients and a neighbour go through this cruel disease I can understand some of your pain. I believe it to be one of the cruelest diseases there are. Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo of your first wife and hope that the fundraising goes well
19 Jun 2009 8:54am
@jamesy: Yes, indeed, you would understand the challenges of ALS. I am confident that the steady contributions from many will make a difference for those impacted by ALS in the future. Bill
Sarah from Switzerland
That's a beautiful photograph Bill and a touching tribute.
19 Jun 2009 9:41am
@Sarah: Thank you Sarah for reading the tribute, and commenting on Donna's photo.
Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States
This is so endearing, Bill, and heart-wrenching at the same time. I've written before of your generosity of spirit and it shows again today. If Donna gave you the heart to be a "good husband," then she left you with an incredible gift, but it was a painful walk to get to where you are today. You are a blessing to your family.
Thank you for sharing. ♥
19 Jun 2009 11:04am
@Judy: Judy, those are kind words. I would never want anyone to go through the pain of loosing a loved one, but it's part of this life we live - and in my case, it really caused me to question who I am, what I believe in, and her disease and death changed me for the better: and it that sense, it was indeed a blessing. My current family knows that on a particular day in the fall, I keep to myself - and I reflect on my time with Donna - but in general, the healing from that pain is largely complete.
Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium
This is a nice tribute Bill - thank you for sharing (and for the information on Lou Gehrigs)
By sharing your story and history, it helps to add perspective to our own lives and experiences.
19 Jun 2009 1:46pm
@Jason Kravitz: Lou Gehrig was an amazing man - his history, even without this dramatic disease, is incredible. A sole survivor from four children from german heritage: who became one of sport's greatest players. if an MVP stricken with ALS quickly succombed to this disease, can you imagine the average patient?
Marie-Hélène Ammor from Casablanca/Paris, Morocco
A wonderful , sensible portrait , very moving . Thank you for sharing!
19 Jun 2009 3:08pm
@Marie-Hélène Ammor: Thank you Marie-Helene for your kind words on the photo. It's more of a memory for me, than a great photo: so, I guess for today, I'm using my blog more for the blogging than the photo posting... But if we raise the awareness of ALS for even a few today: it would mean a great deal to me.
@B. Thomas: Thank you Barbara for reading the tribute and sharing your comment.
Irene from France
It's very touching... A beautiful picture for a beautiful Dame.
19 Jun 2009 5:31pm
@Irene: Thank you Irene. Her heart and soul were indeed beautiful. Bill
Summer from roseburg, United States
What a beautiful women taken way to earily in this life. Thank you for sharing this with us. may she rest in peace and time to heal your broken heart..
19 Jun 2009 9:46pm
@Summer: I am sure she is resting in Peace - she had time to reconcile all her issues before we lost her. I do miss her, and yet, still respect her memory. Peace.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
I am so sorry for the loss of your fist wife to ALS, she is beautiful. A very fitting and wonderful tribute to Donna and Lou.
19 Jun 2009 11:09pm
@Betty: Yes, to Lou especially - as he really put a name to this horrid disease, and has helped in raising awareness to encourage us all to look for a treatment/cure.
Lambspun from Madison, Maine, United States
I am so happy you shared that with us. What a wonderful husband you were to feel proud to share her picture with us and tell us about her. She was a very beautiful women.
19 Jun 2009 11:18pm
@Lambspun: Thank you for your kind words about Donna - she was special, and I miss her: yet, I know she wants me to continue my life with the same love I gave her: to my new wife and family.
MARIANA from waterloo, Canada
This is a great tribute to Donna, Bill ! May she rest in peace.
20 Jun 2009 12:50am
@MARIANA: Thank you Mariana. I know you can appreciate this, and it means a lot for your blessing for Donna
Sugata from Newark, United States
A very beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing something so close to your heart.
20 Jun 2009 10:57pm
@Sugata: Thank you Sugata. Your kind words mean a great deal to me.
Terry from Regina, Canada
A great tribute and wonderful portrait Bill. God bless you and your family.
22 Jun 2009 3:00am
@Terry: thank you Terry - I'm blessed in so many ways, but can always use an additional blessing with all the excitement around here !!!
dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States
a beautiful birthday tribute to your late wife -- may her thoughts remain clear with you and may she rest in peace!
22 Jun 2009 2:22pm
@dj.tigersprout: thank you DJ. I hope others do not have to experience this disease.
Ajay from Pune, India
She looks so beautiful and so full of life. It's difficult to imagine she is not there anymore.
22 Jun 2009 5:00pm
@Ajay: ALS come on quickly, and takes many in their prime. Thank you for your thoughts.
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
Very touching... She was so beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss Bill. A wonderful tribute!
26 Jul 2009 5:38pm
@Magda: It took many years to really finish the mourning process, and I still pause each september - and say a prayer for her. She was young, full of life, and as you said - beautiful. I was fortunate to have been married to her, as she had to go through the painful process of teaching me how to be a better husband...
