Merry Christmas, John. Great story. I will be 83 in January. Grateful for good health, but very aware of my unavoidable mortality. Age has a way of making one more thankful for a loving family, dear friends (although 3 of my best passed this year) and gifted writers like you. Thank you.
Maybe it's because I can better relate to Paul's situation. My wife has stage 4 breast cancer....it's in her lungs and brain. Life is precious and, at this stage in our lives, we know our time is short and we want to live life to its fullest.
My wife survived stage 4 lymphoma. Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline state. A simple thing like baking soda with water works wonders. The more alkaline you can make your body, the more cancer will melt away. Just a suggestion, but I encourage you to read up on it and look into alternative treatments.
Heartwarming story about Paul and Sandi. A perfect, albeit tearful, read for Christmas morning.
I already had wet eyes after getting a text from my dad (86) saying that mom (85 and with Parkinson’s) doesn’t want to get in the car and travel to Salem today because of the wet weather. She has become very anxious about being in the car when there’s any chance of inclement weather, including a few sprinkles. I’ll make the 30 mile car ride to their house tomorrow morning to bring Christmas dinner and presents to them.
It’s ironic that Paul has been penning his obituary, as I’ve been talking to my parents about drafting the very same thing! It’s best to let them tell their story as opposed to me. It’s on our new year’s list of things to do, right after finding someone to come to my parent’s house to help my mom with some daily needs, and give dad some needed respite.
In the "Small World" department, I graduated from the Oregon School of Journalism a year ahead of you, Paul. I bet we took some classes together and both felt the pressure from Dean Hulteng's reporting class when we had to interview a celeb (the dean playing roles), write a story and drop it into his desk basket before the end of class when he unceremoniously picked it up and left the room. Miss the deadline, no grade. Remember? AND, we performed everything on typewriters. Jeez. Talk about o-l-d. Like you, Paul, I jumped into the military upon graduation, followed by a newspaper career. I suspect our paths crossed several times, maybe through the ONPA. Shoot, I even find myself re-writing a few (precious few, mind you) of Canzano's sentences, too. I am saddened to learn of your illness. May the Lord bless you and continue to keep you in the palm of His hand. And thank you, John, for a human interest story that helps make Canzano, well, Canzano.
How lucky I am to have very few health issues and a husband and circle of friends who share my life with me. I hope I will always find the positive side of this life I am given. The effort is worth it. Happy holidays, John, and thanks for continuing to show there's good in this world.
John- At some age we all start to wonder about our legacy. What impact have we had on this crazy world. You just gave Paul a legacy moment....and you also gave one to John Canzano.
Another great story. Thanks for telling us about Paul.
Regarding making something tangible. I go to a lot of live performances. Mostly music, but some theater. And while some art has permanence, e.g. sculpture, much of it is ethereal. It exists in the moment, leaving nothing tangible behind. But trust me, I've seen and heard things that are at least as permanent as the beating of my heart.
Some writing is art, of course. Much of it is not. What you do I would consider craft. Functional in nature, but like woodworking and other crafts, often merging beauty with function in a way that renders any distinction between art and craft meaningless.
Merry Christmas, John. Great story. I will be 83 in January. Grateful for good health, but very aware of my unavoidable mortality. Age has a way of making one more thankful for a loving family, dear friends (although 3 of my best passed this year) and gifted writers like you. Thank you.
I’m catching up with at age 80. Living on borrowed time and I appreciate things a lot more than I used to.
My daughter must be cutting onions in the kitchen.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Love this, Greg!
I think you meant eight GRANDchildren in the paragraph that starts with "His wife Sandi..."
Did you leave that little easter egg for Paul?
This is your best story ever, John!!
Maybe it's because I can better relate to Paul's situation. My wife has stage 4 breast cancer....it's in her lungs and brain. Life is precious and, at this stage in our lives, we know our time is short and we want to live life to its fullest.
Merry Christmas to all!!
Man, I am sorry. Words are to small at this time. Hugs to both.
Thank you, Andrew!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
My wife survived stage 4 lymphoma. Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline state. A simple thing like baking soda with water works wonders. The more alkaline you can make your body, the more cancer will melt away. Just a suggestion, but I encourage you to read up on it and look into alternative treatments.
Merry Christmas, enjoy your time with your family and I pray for a full recovery!
Heartwarming story about Paul and Sandi. A perfect, albeit tearful, read for Christmas morning.
I already had wet eyes after getting a text from my dad (86) saying that mom (85 and with Parkinson’s) doesn’t want to get in the car and travel to Salem today because of the wet weather. She has become very anxious about being in the car when there’s any chance of inclement weather, including a few sprinkles. I’ll make the 30 mile car ride to their house tomorrow morning to bring Christmas dinner and presents to them.
It’s ironic that Paul has been penning his obituary, as I’ve been talking to my parents about drafting the very same thing! It’s best to let them tell their story as opposed to me. It’s on our new year’s list of things to do, right after finding someone to come to my parent’s house to help my mom with some daily needs, and give dad some needed respite.
Merry Christmas to all🎄
Merry Christmas 🎄 you are a good daughter & I am sure your parents appreciate you ❤️
In the "Small World" department, I graduated from the Oregon School of Journalism a year ahead of you, Paul. I bet we took some classes together and both felt the pressure from Dean Hulteng's reporting class when we had to interview a celeb (the dean playing roles), write a story and drop it into his desk basket before the end of class when he unceremoniously picked it up and left the room. Miss the deadline, no grade. Remember? AND, we performed everything on typewriters. Jeez. Talk about o-l-d. Like you, Paul, I jumped into the military upon graduation, followed by a newspaper career. I suspect our paths crossed several times, maybe through the ONPA. Shoot, I even find myself re-writing a few (precious few, mind you) of Canzano's sentences, too. I am saddened to learn of your illness. May the Lord bless you and continue to keep you in the palm of His hand. And thank you, John, for a human interest story that helps make Canzano, well, Canzano.
Thank you John for another heart warming yet sad story.
Brilliant and touching. Very human story that puts a lot of things into perspective. One of several reasons I gift myself a subscription.
Can't thank you enough for this one, John. Best Christmas present I got this year!
John. Thank you. Just thank you. The human interest stories you find and share with us are touching and appreciated.
Merry Christmas to you and your entire family.
Let go and let God! ❤️🥹
Lovely story about someone we would all be luck to know.
Thank you!
How lucky I am to have very few health issues and a husband and circle of friends who share my life with me. I hope I will always find the positive side of this life I am given. The effort is worth it. Happy holidays, John, and thanks for continuing to show there's good in this world.
John- At some age we all start to wonder about our legacy. What impact have we had on this crazy world. You just gave Paul a legacy moment....and you also gave one to John Canzano.
Merry Christmas
Another great story. Thanks for telling us about Paul.
Regarding making something tangible. I go to a lot of live performances. Mostly music, but some theater. And while some art has permanence, e.g. sculpture, much of it is ethereal. It exists in the moment, leaving nothing tangible behind. But trust me, I've seen and heard things that are at least as permanent as the beating of my heart.
Some writing is art, of course. Much of it is not. What you do I would consider craft. Functional in nature, but like woodworking and other crafts, often merging beauty with function in a way that renders any distinction between art and craft meaningless.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all of you here!
Merry Christmas, John. Thanks for your focus.