Another Day at IU Medical
This morning Dad will have another MRI so they can see where to do the Biopsy. The Biopsy is scheduled for 2:00 today and we will always hope for a miracle. You never know with Dad. He is in a class of his own. We think he will go home tomorrow and we know he is thrilled at the thought of that. Faith, hope and Love is keeping us all together and keeping us strong. All of your comments have lifted our spirits and it shows us that our Father has touched many lives.
Thank you and we love you all!
Mindy,
I just heard the news. Please let your dad know that he is an inspiration. We are all sending our kindest thoughts and positive energy.
With love and compassion,
Kevin
This is the first time I’d heard that Cliff is ill. I can’t believe it. The man’s a legend!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I bet the Cliff’s learning loads through this. That would just be typical of him!
I was giving the news of my Uncle’s condition to a friend of mine. Telling them the information-the emergency room, the ambulance trip to another hospital, tests, test results and finally diagnosis-brain cancer-that was not too hard. It was harder and more important to me to convey the importance of what it all meant to me. My Uncle Cliff, my Dad’s little brother, my Grandmother’s baby boy. Wow. But oh- so much more.
We Hazelbakers are a special group. We are close, much closer than many families that I know. We have always been close, as long as I can remember. I have learned that everything I have in me, good and bad, I can find mirrored in the eyes of these people-my family. We each are different, different views, beliefs, and different pasts, roads that got us to where we are in our lives, but we are accepting, loving, giving.
When Grandpa died over twelve years ago it was a huge loss to our family. A link missing in our chain. We keep his spirit alive though, we each carry our own little piece with us-never forgetting. We stand around that tree every Christmas and he stands there with us hand in hand and he sings loudly with us.
Tonight I am struck again with the realization that we each will follow in some crazy order. It is where we are headed when we are born. I am learning that everything in life is constructed by society and as I begin to peel off the layers I find that what is underneath has always been there- already written on my heart. I am awake and I am thankful that it has been this family to influence every bit of reality that I create for myself.
I think about my Uncle tonight and I hope for him to have quiet thoughts. I wish for him to feel peace as the sun falls gently over the edge of the horizon, seeing the beauty of the trees as they are pasted against the pale pink sky. I can’t possibly imagine the amount of energy that must be vibrating through this Earth by our family’s love for just one link in our chain.
Angie Emerick
April 29, 2009
To all my boldgrace friends and everyone who has commented. With the help of my grandson he is helping so that I can speak with you. First let me say that all your comments mean so much to me, and lift my spirit to heights unknown. I don’t consider this a dying process, I consider it a birthing process. In every new birth there is labor and there is pain, there are moments of quiet there are times where you leave behind the old placenta of this life, and you move on to the bright light that is next. I am so excited, not one bit afraid. It is a time i have been looking to since I have been a child, and i promise everyone of you if there is any way of getting back at you and letting you know I will sury try and show my signs.
With all my love,
Clifford
Angie what you wrote was beautiful.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I feel in my heart that like Cliff said, there is no fear for him. The Hazelbakers are a rare and blessed family. I have never seen the strength and support they carry for each other in any other family and I know together there is nothing they cannot face. If you need some extra strength though, please know I am here for you guys. I love you!
Mindy-
On this day of your life, dear friend, I believe God wants you to know…
…that sorrow makes us all children again,
destroys all differences of intellect.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said that, and he was right.
A good cry can be wonderful sometimes, and sadness
is nothing more than love announced. Sadness and Unhappiness
are not the same thing, and it is good to remember that.
So if you’re sad…be glad. It says something about you.
And there are worse things. And there is this:
sadness cleanses the heart.
Ang,
I love you so very much. What you wrote was beautiful.
I just wanted to let you all know I can’t stop thinking of all of you. MINDY know that if there is ANYTHING at all that you need, ANYTHING you can call and I’ll be there in a second!!
Much love,
Brandi Austin
my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God eluded me. I sought my brother and I found all three.
My hand is on your heart little brother , my love is in my hand…
Stay strong Ciffy
You all make me so proud and grateful to be a Hazelbaker. I love you all and reading your beautiful words makes me want to come give all of you a hug!
UPDATE: The surgical nurse just came out and told us he is doing very well. The procedure should be over around 5:30. We’ll post more news as it becomes available.
Dad has glioblastoma. The plan now is to take him back home to Richmond to be with his family and his dogs.
Cliff, Doug called me last night and gave me the news. I am truely sorry this has happened to you. Well now the fight begins!! We have a lady in our congregation that just went through what you are beginning to go through. She has beat it!!! She is in therapy and is making great strides in her recovery. You can to. Cliff we are praying for you and your family that this will go away. We pray that the hand of God will comfort you and heal you. All of my sisters and me will continue our prayers and I will stay in touch with Doug to check out on how you are doing. Keep the faith brother we will not forget you. Dave
Cliff, I just wanted you to know that I love you am praying for you and Nancy and all of your family.
Your Cousin,Leanne
Cliff,
I don’t have a way with words as you do but I just needed to let you know how much you mean to me. I have loved you since the day you were born. I couldnit wait for your visits to Dv so I could take care of you. You were very special. I haven’t given up hope that you will recover. I still believe in miracles. I believe your faith and attitude will get you through this. I love you. Judy
Brothers laugh and giggle, they wrestle and wiggle, then they
fight in the tent of there bed covers, they learn to conquer fear in the woods that is near and of all the childish things brothers learn, they learn to love, with that they share it with there wives and with there children,and the cycle begins again….
Hey grandpa, your still at the hospital still recovering and your supposed to come back tomorrow..I just want you to know that you truely are my Hero. You are such an inspiration to me..The doctors basically tell you that you are staring death in the eyes within a year and yet you stay composed and are not scared one bit. I have learned so much from you in the past 18 years and I know there will be longer than a year with you. You are a fighter and you can conquer anything with your faith and belief. You have touched so many lives by just being loving and kind. Remember what you always told me since i can remember? Learn to Love Love to Learn that meant so much to me that i got it tattooed on me so that i would never ever forget. I love you so much and I know we will have many years left with you..
Your Grandson,
Josh
In the height of woodstock, in the mist of the love generation, Cliffs first album he ever bought was the best of Nat King Cole , sorry bro had to tell the world
ya gotta love him
cliff’s word for windshield wiper, till he was like 12 was winshiper, if someone can delete this before he reads it i would appreciate it…not
Cliff introduced me to the love of my life.. CINDY
Thanks for sharing Doug. Its good to know you’re not letting up on him. I know he’ll appreciate that.
Someone once said, it may have been Gandy or Sacrates or maybe the guy i get coffee from in the morning, that brothers are like hands and feet, i my be missing a knuckle or two but i know there right.
This will be my last post, when i was i little boy i was always sick , my older brother andy would sleep in my bed with his hand on my heart, cause he was afraid i would die, that’s the brothers love that i share with you cliffy
Sorry , im not done , he couldn’t say his own name either , he called himself , LISHY, till he was 9, don’t tell him i told u,,,
sleep well little brother
…… learn to love, love to learn and the cycle begins , from the mouth of babes
My Mother would like to say this:
“ONE LIFETIME IS NOT ENOUGH FOR US”
The scriptures tell us that we “judge” angels in heaven. We oversee angels to be exact. I have been telling families at the my hospice funerals, that your loved ones will continue to bless your lives in their new jobs……..supervising your guardian angels. Now that sounds like something God would arrange for us.
Cliff, you have motivated and inspired thousands, but your “work’ is just beginning. What a gracious God we have.
CLiff and Family….I am hoping you guys remember me….this is Jim McCutchen. Janis just informed me of your diagnosis Cliff…First of all, I am totally in prayer for you,Nancy and the children…..secondly, for full recovery….thirdly for his lovely grace to give you all kinds of peace and joy even in this tough trying time. CLiff, I wish I could spend some time with you…..YOu are a grace man!!!
In Jesus….Jim McCutchen…..Ps….you can reach me at JimMacFL45@aol.com
Hi Nancy, Cliff…Sending you Bruce this morning, Put him to work;! Really Ive got Dog duty(we take turns) so he can come visit. I know you would ask if you needed something, but let me encourage you to pick up the phone anytime, for Any(little) thing. Group hugs from us all, I know Father has this leg of the journey well in hand…wishes, hopes and dreams unspoken…J
Hi Cliff,
Just learned of your sickness. You were a pleasure to work with at Alcoa, we had many good times to gether. Thank you for all your help whith my younger daughter. I still remember your first days at Alcoa, you were so skinny and you didn’t look like you were old enough to drive let a lone be married. Want you to know I’m praying for you. Keep that cute little smile on your face. You have all of us, plus the greatest man ever on your side (GOD). Thank you for being a part of my life. I’m here for you and your family if needed just let me know, Ill be there. Love you.
Mary Jane
mm. 10x ))