tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post8435980106448482995..comments2024-01-06T10:36:04.084-05:00Comments on A Commonplace Blog: Choosing life in the face of deathD. G. Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659136455045567825noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-26391343930283867112014-08-17T16:05:03.421-04:002014-08-17T16:05:03.421-04:00This blog is a treasure, as is this entry. Thank y...This blog is a treasure, as is this entry. Thank you for continuing to write. <br /><br />I had many "professors," but only a handful of them were teachers. Thank you for teaching me and so many others. Courtneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-69590159291304938512014-08-11T21:51:54.836-04:002014-08-11T21:51:54.836-04:00For once I find that words escape me. It is hard t...For once I find that words escape me. It is hard to find the "right" things to say to someone who is dying. So, instead <br />I will tell you what you have given me. I consider myself truly fortunate to have been able to find myself in your classes at OSU. I will miss your classes, your energy, your spirited talks and your sense of humor. Not only did you inspire me to find the passion for literature I thought I lost, but helped me to find strength and determination through my own debilitating health issues. "I might be crippled but I'm not an invalid."<br />OSU will not be the same without you..not for me. As I read through your older blog posts, again and again, I find that I will not be the same either.<br /><br />Thank you, for all you have given.Emylee-Noel Gusslernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-27842957498542604902014-07-24T23:28:07.218-04:002014-07-24T23:28:07.218-04:00"And after all, who knows but that you might ..."And after all, who knows but that you might be the one, by your kindness and faith, to give us the strength to choose life in the face of death?"<br /><br />I've never met you, never will. In the way you've written about your dying, I'm more alive and my life is richer. Thank-you. Judithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00515313368190919011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-54886422095078722662014-07-22T21:05:40.081-04:002014-07-22T21:05:40.081-04:00There has always been so much to learn from your p...There has always been so much to learn from your postings here and elsewhere. And in this latest piece, more than ever. I will remember this post, including the experience of reading it, for a very long time, and I'm sure it will guide me. Susan Messerhttp://www.susanmesser.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-8330320696055274262014-07-22T17:37:35.864-04:002014-07-22T17:37:35.864-04:00I've been reading your blog for several years....I've been reading your blog for several years. Last Summer I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and assumed that I had only months left. Through my journey, you have been a model to me of how to confront a fatal illness—with intelligence, honesty and faith (similar to the words of De Vries). As it has turned out, I have done surprising well, and have a good chance of living years more (maybe many years). You continue to be teach and inspire me.Robert Glazierhttp://www.caringbridge.org/visit/robertglazier/journalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-39888142485137331182014-07-22T14:34:34.252-04:002014-07-22T14:34:34.252-04:00You have always been a wonderful teacher, and your...You have always been a wonderful teacher, and your students can attest to that absolute fact. Now, however, you have transcended the classroom. You have taught all of us something that we would never discover in a classroom: life is everything. Thank you.R.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13220814349193561823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458341.post-27276427398285087962014-07-22T12:44:23.339-04:002014-07-22T12:44:23.339-04:00Reading this I am put in mind of Peter De Vries. I...Reading this I am put in mind of Peter De Vries. In <i>The Blood of the Lamb</i>, the protagonist’s dying daughter leaves a note for him, discovered posthumously, in which she quotes one of his own essays back to him (there’s some missing context here, of course, but bear with): “Man has only his own two feet to stand on, his own human trinity to see him through: Reason, Courage, and Grace. And the first plus the second equals the third.”Rand Careagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04993454654652802173noreply@blogger.com