Marinating in this quote today.

"I've learned to keep things simple. Look at your choices, pick the best one, then go to work with all your heart." Pat Riley


And thank you to the mystery hot wing kit sender that was at the PO Box for the Team Gleason Pay it Forward Fund (Great Guy Group) this morning. What a surprise!

Back from Texas

and my head is still spinning. The funeral was a fitting celebration for Mike's life with all of the people and things that he loved. It was really unusual to be at Glenn's father's funeral without Glenn- I kept looking around to be with him. To talk with him. To put my arms around him. To lean into him. To acknowledge his loss. Each time my head went side to side for an instant forgetting he is not here and then a strange familiar emptiness all within a few seconds time. Spending time with Glenn's cousins was healing. Many of them with a similar quit wit and exuberance. We stayed with old friends and felt our families mesh in a way that only time spent together can bring...that was really nice. Left at 4am for our flight and arrived home at 4 pm... overtired but well loved with friends to pick us up at the airport, arriving home to warm soup and bread with extra hands to throw in the laundry.

Plugging along. Still amidst contractors and house rebuild and begging for that to be complete, but still finding the beauty in family and friendships.

As I received letters of condolences I put aside some to share here. This is one from a young resident (fellow) that we met several times throughout our 2 year stint at Penn. She is also married to a doctor who we had met through his rotations as well. Reading letters like this helps me heal. (handwritten in which I am sure is the neatest handwriting I have ever seen...like a beautiful font)

"Dear Amy,
Jeremy and I have been thinking about you and Glenn a lot lately. When Jeremy met Glenn his 1st year of fellowhsip he told me that Glenn was exactly the reason he thought he shouldn't be a leukemia doctor. Great guy, great family, terrible disease. Just too painful. Well, I am a true leukemia doctor now, and Glenn is exactly the reason. Great guy, great family, terrible. disease.

We were both so struck with him. He seemed to have a wisdom and kindness beyond his years- he was an inspiring kind of guy. I've been following along on Team Gleason, taking your advice to enjoy every moment with my family, but also keeping you and Glenn in my mind when I see patients with new diagnoses of leukemia. Trying to share the lovely spirit you created- trying to get people to stay grounded even when the ground is shifting and cracking, remembering the whole complexity of life that exists outside a medical office.

I'm so sorry for your loss Amy. And for the kids, and the other patients with leukemia and for all the people Glenn didn't get to personally inspire. But I feel lucky to have known him, and I'm glad to carry a piece of him in my heart every time I meet someone just at the leukemia starting line. He really is inspirational.

Love,
Rachel and Jeremy"

See? Just typing that out made me feel so much better. As Team Gleason evolved..we came up with the tagline BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. INSPIRE. and through these letters and kind words I am learning that even though he is no longer on this earth...our mission continues.

enjoy the moments of this day-

Amy

I'm again sorry

to share some tragic news. Yesterday, Glenn's father, H. Michael Gleason passed away unexpectedly at his home in Texas. We are still amidst the sense of disreality of losing Glenn- and this has pulled us deeper into that space of shock.

I did have a vision in my head last night- one where father and son gave each other a big giant long awaited bear hug... with giant smiles from shock and laughter. It is a strong vision and it has helped me cope the past few hours. Please keep Kelley and Jean and the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers this week as we all come together again to get through this time.

much love-

Amy

*

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." -Albert Schweitzer

thank you. so many of you. for the little things. for being there. and even for giving me space. happy 2010. bring it on.

Amy