I was incredibly saddened by Eric Dane’s passing this week due to ALS complications.
I didn’t follow much of his work, but I knew him from Grey’s Anatomy and of course the devastating disease we both share. He was diagnosed last April, a month after my symptoms first began… before I received my own diagnosis two months later.
His journey unfolded in the public eye.
Mine unfolded in my own community, first in the quiet, sacred spaces alone with Grace last March until I shared it with family and friends last summer ❤️
Still, we all had a front-row seat to his fight.
And I’m grateful.
Grateful for the awareness he created.
Grateful that his courage put a spotlight on a disease that so many of us are battling more privately.
The other night, I told Grace I wanted to watch “Pride of the Yankees” — the story of the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig… the first time I ever heard the letters ALS decades ago. His words still echo: “I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” I feel the exact same way even in my darkest moments… who would not be with the people in my life especially my wife and now my baby girl?
My sister sent me a message this morning that gave me deep solace: “Everyone’s journey is different and unpredictable. It’s both the great fear and great hope, right? I believe in your journey.”
(Best sister in the world ❤️)
Last night I read this devotional out loud with Grace, Lizzy, and my mom — who is here with us this week:
“Wait on the Lord with confidence.
Patience is hard, especially when you are praying for something that feels urgent or when you are stuck in a season you did not choose. We want answers now, doors opened now, healing now. But God does not rush, and that is actually good news. While we are worrying, He is working. While we are waiting, He is arranging things we cannot see. Delays are not denials, they are often preparation. God sees the full picture, the beginning and the end, and He knows exactly when and how to move. Your job is not to control the outcome, it is to trust the One who controls it. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep doing the next right thing. In time, you will look back and realize that the waiting season was where your faith grew the strongest.”
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7
Meanwhile — yesterday, PT and OT at Shirley Ryan took a lot out of me but also gave me something back.
I rode a motorized bike for 10 minutes straight. The motor only turns if it senses zero exertion from me though it takes me maximum effort. The moment I push or pull — even slightly — it stops assisting… which happened seven times.
There’s a moment in the video where you see tears in my eyes. That’s pain. Those are the seconds I am physically pushing and pulling the handles myself. My hands are strapped into gloves because the pain of curling my fingers around the bars is intense.
And yet…
I moved that bike on my own for a total 41 seconds out of 10 minutes.
Forty-one seconds, about five seconds at a time… it doesn’t seem like much.
I am proud of that.
So I will continue to live the rest of my days with dignity.
Like Lou Gehrig — choosing gratitude.
Telling people I love them.
Accepting help.
Recognizing the angels God has sent into our lives.
Believing there is purpose even here.
Everyone’s journey is different.
And I believe in mine.
Thank you Eric Dane.
RIP
https://share.icloud.com/photos/036DONeYq1b9veexpodvZ3qVw
Secret of My SucCecil 