Updates to Green Braclet

Photos of Jessica's initial Ithaca experience can be seen by clicking on the below photo:

Jess @ Ithaca!

Yet more photos of Jess' Ithaca experience can be seen by clicking on the below photo:

Ithaca is Gorges

Green Bracelet

"So what does the green bracelet stand for?"

This is a question I have been asked many times since I have worn my DONATE LIFE bracelet every single day since John's wake. I wear it when I dress up, dress down, in the shower, in the pool, during a game, and when I sleep. I wear it as a reminder of the ultimate gift John was able to give to so many others. I wear it with pride for my big brother.

Nonetheless, just like most things in life, this one simple piece of green plastic gives me conflicting emotions. I am happy and proud of my brother's gift to numerous other human beings but I am sad that it was given at the ultimate sacrifice -- the fact that others are given years to spend with the ones they love but only because we all have to wait a lifetime to see John again. However, life is amazing.

As many of you know, I have recently started my life as a graduate student in Ithaca, New York. The first few days of class were full of ice breakers and story sharing in order to get to know my peers. One classmate asked me what my green bracelet stood for and when she found out, she showed me her right wrist that wore the exact same bracelet. She said proudly and thankfully that her father just received a lung transplant within the last year and she was so grateful that her father, who was an otherwise healthy man in his forties with a rare lung condition, was a successful transplant. Although he is still in the recovery phase, he has been able to enjoy life with his family again.

Although I did not explain to her John's story at that time, we had a chance to hang out the following night. I was able to explain to her and others who were listening all about John's tale of tragedy and delight. I was able to explain his passion for his family, his work, and his life. But the best part of all, I got to listen more about the impact that John, and everyone who donates organs to others, has on the organ recipients and those who love them. It is one thing to read in a letter about the the receiving patients and their appreciation; but it is much more rewarding to actually sit down and talk to a fellow female of the same age who experienced the actual joy and thrill of the life donation.

If life was not remarkable enough, the fellow student also applied to Springfield College, my other choice of graduate school. Although I was thinking it, she remarked that it must have been fate that we would meet at graduate school. So I end this surprising tale with one of my favorite quotes: "You may not end up where you thought you were going to be, but you always end up where you are meant to be."

More Running With John

Click here and here to see local press coverage of running with John.

Running With John

Of the many goals of this year, one of the boldest was the aspiration of John, Mike and Dad to together run the Marine Corps Marathon this November in Washington, DC. In preparation of this audacious goal, John, Mike and Dad had set out on a plan which included the running of a number of races between April and October 2007 in order to get into shape for the November marathon. Included was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge 10K in April and the Chaptico Classic 10K in August 2007 (Chaptico is a small village about 10 miles from where John's Mom & Dad live). It was, of course, not to be. Nonetheless, Mike and Dad have continued on in their own way. Mike perseveres in his goal to complete the marathon this November although Dad has conceded to reality and age and will not run this November

The Chaptico Classic 10K was held this weekend and pictures can be seen by clicking on the below photo:

Running With John

Of note, John and Dad ran the 10K and Jes participated in the 3 mile walk. The course was a figure eight, which is why you see photos of the runners Mike and Dad in the middle of this album. Mike finished first in his age category. It was a brutal day from the perspective of temperature and humidity (one of the hottest of the summer). Nonetheless, all experienced the fullness of the moment, to include John who, without a doubt, was there in spirit.

The first objective of the collective plan was to run the Bay Bridge 10K in April. Alas, that was not to be for a variety of reasons to include the fact that in that on race day, the race was canceled due to gale force winds on the Bay. Nonetheless, photos from that day can be seen by clicking on the below photo:

Running With John 2

Easy Rider

Continuing the sense of adventure that she and John shared, Alex took to the course a few weeks ago to learn how to ride a motorcycle. While she was able to maintain the bike upright (for the most part) without the benefit of training wheels, if you look close enough, I think you can see John riding on her shoulder.

Warmth and Comfort

To celebrate her upcoming birthday, the attainment of her recent permanent resident status, and as a symbol of our love, John's Mom & Dad presented Alex with a "work in progress" -- a quilt made, in part, from swatches of John's clothes. John's Mom and Jes cut out hearts and stars from some of John's clothes and then affixed them to pieces of quilt. With the assistance of her friend Teresa, who is an experienced quilt maker, John's Mom then sewed the various pieces together. After a little more effort, the "work in progress" will be passed off to a local Amish woman who will finish the process by adding batting material and a backing. Together with memories of John, we hope that this quilt gives Alex warmth and comfort. To see what the quilt looks like, click on the photo below.

Alex's Quilt

Touch of the Green

One of the many milestones that John and Alex were looking forward to this year was Alex becoming PERMANENT, a permanent resident that is. Although having lived in this country most of her life, Alex had never made it through all the bureaucratic hurdles to get her "Green Card." It's an arduous, time-consuming process, and for the last year of his life, John held Alex's hand through the sometimes frustrating delays. Although not anticipated for some months to come, Alex received her Green Card in the mail this past week. Loving all things Irish, we're certain that John's touch of the green continued to help shepherd Alex to attainment of this exciting milestone. Next time you toast John with a Guinness, be sure to offer a congratulatory toast to Alex as well. It's a significant accomplishment for both of them!

Corporal Repose

Dormant to look and touch
Withering under the relentless rays of heat and light
The once verdant expanses covers dreams and accomplishments
Serving as pretense to perpetual attention.

Yet an oasis of hope emerges
Nurtured by a mixture of joy and tears
Standing in defiance of tribulation
Yet another symbol of the gift of eternal love.