Stretch has expanded my view:

[Dennis S]

I think this is true for all of us, but there are some people whose name on a post draws my immediate attention. Stretch is one of those people. For example, I love his ability to inject humor into situations where you wouldn?t expect it. And for my inner ear, everything Stretch writes comes through with the voice of Jean Luc Picard. I hope I needn?t explain why.

Stretch-I have read what you have written, but my dial-up connection is so slow and unreliable that I had never seen your work until I spent a week in civilization, where a hi-speed connection made your web-site spring to life. It isn?t like I have been living under a rock, but I have concentrated so much of my attention on landscape photography that I haven?t paid any attention to the eloquent faces of the amazing people that surround me. When I saw your photos, I dearly wanted to expand my own horizons. When I am carrying my camera I am going to pay more attention to the people around me. I am not trying to compare myself to Stretch-just trying to say that seeing excellence should be instructive, and I am making an effort to learn.

This is the first time I have taken a picture simply because the face tells such a story. Even though I know this man well, and love him dearly, I think it would be a mistake to add any details. If the face tells a story, let it be told without words. And thanks you Stretch, for teaching someone you have never met.

 

[hensylee]

Dennis, you are getting so good, you'll be asked to go into 'the business'. I love this picture and if I can get myself to it, I would like to sketch this man. The picture says so much. This man has experienced so much in his life. It shows. Just look at the wrinkles in his brow.

And Stretch gets everyone's attention. I always read his posts with interest.

 

[Karlynn]

Dennis, I agree. I've spent time in Stretch's web site and feel honored that a photographer of his caliber is in our "family". I'd sure like to afford him when the time comes for our daughter to get married. I'm sure the wedding photo aspect of his work is more of a "job" to him than the other aspects, but even they are photo journalism.

Now as far as your friend in the photo - his face does say he has a lot of stories and experiences to tell. Nice first try.

 

[StretchL]

Goodness Gracious...

Goodness Gracious...

I'm humbled.

I don't know what else to say except, "Thank you."

It's so interesting the way we are blessed in this life, by giving... and doing so even when we don't realize we are doing it.

Just this morning, while lying in bed before we got up, Noni and I were talking about myupcoming surgery, among other things. I was relating to her how a couple of "post-oppers" from this board, Sylvia and Robbie, have taken the time, at my request, to call my 84 year old mother in Asheville, NC and try to assuage some of her (mostly irrational) anxiety.

These folks have been able to share with my mom the realities of contemporary VR surgery, and in doing so dispel a number of myths she has lived with for 43 years (since I was diagnosed), and reassure her that it isn't necessarily as bad as she imagines. (And she does imagine that it's BAD... Like... that the surgeons have to actually remove the heart from the body, work on it in in a tray or something, then reimplant it! )

I can't tell you how much these two gestures have meant to me, along with the fact that, based on the many inspiring stories I've read here, I can help my mom look toward the reality rather than her nightmares. Really, one of my biggest concerns about my surgery has been how my mom will deal with it.

I can't imagine what these last few months would have been like, and the next few would be like, if it weren't for all of you in this community. Each of you, whether I've communicated directly with you or not, each of you has made his journey more enlightened, less mysterious, less stressful, and, frankly, much more fun that I could have ever anticipated.

I have each of you to thank for the fact that I found Dr. Stelzer and the Ross Procedure, that I was able to share my heart data with some of the top surgeons in the country and get their opinions, and that I know moment to moment that there is a place where I can go to find if not the *answers* to my questions, then certainly a wide and informed variety of opinions.

All of you who've walked this path before and who are walking it now know exactly what I'm talking about. And you know that words can't express the gratitude I feel as I move toward my surgery.

Dennis, thank you again for your kind words. And thank you for sharing the photograph of your friend; the longer I look at it the more I see in his face. I'm very glad you shared it. And thank you for allowing my work to touch you.

God bless you all.

 

[Marguerite53]

WE HAVE THE NICEST PEOPLE HERE!!!!

You two are wonderful. I think most of us can say "ditto" to the best of your words here on this thread. Thank you both for being such expressive men!! That the two of you have creative souls and exceptional eyes is abundantly clear to those of us who are watching and listening. Dennis....I am glad that Stretch has expanded your horizons but quite honestly, for you, I think you should give more credit to your granddaughter. You are obviously being reawakened to see through the eyes of a child. She is certainly a little muse for you. She is allowing the poet in you to arise.....it's a very good thing! There is poetry in you.

I must admit, I had to google Jean Luc Picard. I'm sure he has quite the voice (I vaguely remember....not a Trekkie). I feel more of a Mark Twain person coming out of Stretch.....the story teller....hm..

But now that you've injected a Star Trek image all I can see when I look at Stretch's avatar is ....... to boldy go where no man has gone..... and then imagine that the boldness is the wearing of Bob's shirt!!!!!

Just yesterday I had to finish settling with the anesthesiologist.....insurance had been balking at a final $49 charge for who knows why (7 months!! ). I especially wanted this guy paid right.....he had been wonderful to me! I remember him telling me cow jokes as soon as I told him I was going bovine. He had me laughing all the way into the OR. Then he just said, "okay, sweetheart, here we go" and I was out. Well, anyway, I briefly expressed my appreciation of his humor to the bookkeeper saying, "anyone who can keep you laughing while he's wheeling you in to have yourself cracked open for heart surgery is certainly okay in my book!" In a larger sense, that is what we are best at here.... building confidence, keeping things emotionally manageable, helping each other to relax about the things that are grating us around the edge the most.

Great job, people! All this wonderful extra humanity is just icing on the cake of life, ain't it!!

Thanks again, you two!

Marguerite

 

[StretchL]

I must admit, I had to google Jean Luc Picard. I'm sure he has quite the voice (I vaguely remember....not a Trekkie). I feel more of a Mark Twain person coming out of Stretch.....the story teller....hm..

Um... Marguerite... you'll notice that the one thing I have in common with Capt. Picard, and not with Mr. Twain, is the same hairstyle...

That's such a great story you shared about your anesthesiologist...

Do you remember what was going through your mind when he told you, "Here we go..."?

 

[Karlynn]

that I know moment to moment that there is a place where I can go to find if not the *answers* to my questions, then certainly a wide and informed variety of opinions.

Have to say this made me chuckle - we certainly have our wide variety!

I, for one, am looking forward to your story of your successful Ross procedure. Your dear Mom will be in my prayers, and you and Noni too of course.

BTW - Capt. Picard is hot.

 

[Marguerite53]

... Marguerite...
That's such a great story you shared about your anesthesiologist...

Do you remember what was going through your mind when he told you, "Here we go..."?

I was still laughing from his joke. I was very relaxed. Since he was behind me I remember stretching my head back abit to look at him and try to wink, but the scene just disappeared as I kind of blacked out.

I'm thinking that since they had me pulled aside in a hallway kind of place just after prep (said goodbye to husband and daughter in prep, got wheeled lying down through several hallways and then parked).....that is where the anesthesiologist came up to me and introduced himself.......and then left me alone for we think about 30 minutes (nice and dozed off and loopy). Then when he wheeled me into the OR I was pretty awake (you know, pretty stoned!! but awake) and remember feeling the cold burst on my skin as we slammed the doors open with my guerney....all the while he was talking and laughing and joking with me.

At that point you really just let go. At least I did. Whatever, man.....there you are, you know? It's all good!!

Marguerite

 

[pipersmith]

Thank you for sharing - Dennis and Stretch.

I would like to echo the thoughts of Dennis - Stretch - you really are amazing. I would also like to add, Dennis, I know there are many , like me, that always look forward to reading your posts as well, and seeing your beautiful pictures.

There are so many people here that have helped me too, without even realizing - a kind word, support, information, and always a light-hearted chuckle. I remember all of you in my prayers - as I know you all do as well.
I hope that you realize too Dennis - the impact your insightful and soulful words have made on a great many of us in this family.

Thank you - heartfelt - to both of you - and all of you - for being here always. I always enjoy reading and seeing the gifts that you share!!!