Andy Stephenson Medical Update 7/7/2005 - 9 PM CDT

[benburch]

Andy Stephenson's family have asked me to release this statement;

"At this hour, Andy is resting comfortably with his family at his side."

http://www.AndyThanksYou.com/

[proud patriot]

1. Sending Strength

Thanks Ben

[Sydnie]

2. Hope you are on the mend at last Andy

Thanks Ben for the update. :grouphug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Thanks, Ben...

nt

[knowbody0]

4. thanks for posting

get strong Andy

[enigmatic]

5. We love you Andy

:hug:

[helderheid]

125. yes we do

[karlrschneider]

6. Uh, that phrasing is a little scary...

Actually very scary. I sure hope it doesn't mean what it often does...
Andy, you have to get over this crap! We need you!

[MissB]

9. Actually, it isn't half as scary

as the threads about him earlier (which were pulled after his family requested privacy).

[BurtWorm]

10. I got the same feeling.

I also hope it doesn't mean what it usually means. But I do hope he is resting and is comfortable, and I'm glad his family is with him.

[karlrschneider]

15. We need for him to know we aren't giving up on him and he can't give up

on himself either!

[EFerrari]

75. Karl, we are now into the realm of managing, not fighting.

I'm so sorry to be the messenger.

Andy is fighting the good fight. No one could have done more. But, there are rough times ahead.

And I will never ever forget your kindness.

:grouphug:

[jab105]

76. I'm crying...I'll never forget what this community did a few months ago...

for such a special friend...

Hoping for peace and calm, surrounded by love Andy...

[Pithy Cherub]

80. Peace & Kindness to Andy & everyone

who go out of their way with kind words and good deeds for Andy and his family! :grouphug:

[benburch]

107. Thanks for posting that.

I was constrained from saying more than I said.

[UrbScotty]

13. That's what I was thinking.

Pope John Paul's last days came to mind.

[BattyDem]

30. I thought the same thing. Damn ...

Andy, please get better! We're all pulling for you. :hug:

[Tsiyu]

7. Thanks, ben

Hope he is getting stronger and beats this nasty illness. He is very special indeed.

:hug:

[Bozita]

8. Thank you, Ben.

Praying for a good man and his friends.

[blm]

11. Thankyou Ben.

.

[roguevalley]

12. for him, his friends and family, I will pray for you. thank you for the

update.

[NVMojo]

14. Healing to you, Andy! Peace!!!

[i miss america]

16. God bless you Andy

[WilliamPitt]

17. Mourning is forbidden

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

As virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls, to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
"The breath goes now," and some say, "No:"

So let us melt, and make no noise,
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;
'Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.

Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears;
Men reckon what it did, and meant;
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers' love
(Whose soul is sense) cannot admit
Absence, because it doth remove
Those things which elemented it.

But we by a love so much refin'd,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assured of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.

Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat.

If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if the' other do.

And though it in the centre sit,
Yet when the other far doth roam,
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to me, who must
Like th' other foot, obliquely run;
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end, where I begun.

- John Donne

[lala_rawraw]

111. Something

And death shall have no dominion.
Dead mean naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.

And death shall have no dominion.
Under the windings of the sea
They lying long shall not die windily;
Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;
Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
And the unicorn evils run them through;
Split all ends up they shan't crack;
And death shall have no dominion.

And death shall have no dominion.
No more may gulls cry at their ears
Or waves break loud on the seashores;
Where blew a flower may a flower no more
Lift its head to the blows of the rain;
Through they be mad and dead as nails,
Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
And death shall have no dominion.
-Dylan Thomas

[katinmn]

113. lala

:hug:

[MissB]

18. Andy, you are in my thoughts

:hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

20. Hang in there; I don't know you but am thinking of you.

[BeHereNow]

19. Thank you Ben-

I am comforted to know that Andy is surrounded
by his loved ones and that he is in peace and comfort.
Such a beautiful person deserves all the love and support
we can provide in this time.
In person and in prayer.
Love to you,
BHN

[Cassandra]

21. Andy, get better...

now...please! :hug:

[Botany]

22. Andy .....

..... i sent you $25.00 I will expect you to pay me it back in person ......
10 years from now ...... got that?

[Jack Rabbit]

23. Hopes and parayers

Douglas fir grove from the website of the Ministry of Froests and Range, British Columbia

[In_The_Wind]

24. love to you Andy

((((((((( :hug: )))))))))

[Swamp Rat]

25. Sending you Prana Andy

:hug:

[lildreamer316]

26. Love and strength.Love mostly. n/t

[alittlelark]

27. I am happy to hear he is resting comfortably.

:cry:

[goodboy]

28. On Friendship: To my friend Andy...(photo)

Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran

<>

edited to include smaller picture

[hiley]

37. goodboy

your post is beautiful and full of love.
Andy we love you
hiley

[goodboy]

44. back at you, Hiley.

:hug: :hug:

[blm]

39. Thankyou for that, goodboy.

Just.... thankyou.

[goodboy]

45. you're welcome...(nt)

[katinmn]

57. That's beautiful.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts through that piece. :hug:

[goodboy]

67. the people who came through for Andy are beautiful. What we accomplished

made our souls beautiful.

[faithnotgreed]

137. right on goodboy. thank you dearly for seeking this

[fooj]

189. You represent all that is good in this world, goodboy!

An authentic heart and soul...just like our friend, Andy. He has given us such priceless gifts. Community. Humanity. Love. Respect. Truth. We are truly blessed. :grouphug:

Peace.

[AmBlue]

29. Still praying for you, Andy

Please get better..... pretty please???

[graywarrior]

31. Hang tough, dude. We're here for you.

[im10ashus]

32. We continue our vigil.

[StaggerLee]

33. Andy has touched so many in such a short period of time

I don't think that is lost on anyone here.

It is comforting to know that his family is with him.

All strength and prayers to you Andy.

:hug:

[troubleinwinter]

34. All my love and good thoughts

to Andy, Ted, Andy's family and all of his friends and loved-ones.

[understandinglife]

35. Dear Andy, you know my wife and I are thinking of you constantly.

Peace, my friend.

[EFerrari]

36. for Andy

THE PASTURE
I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;
I'll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I shan't be gone long. -- You come too.
I'm going out to fetch the little calf
That's standing by the mother. It's so young,
It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I shan't be gone long. -- You come too.

Robert Frost

[Botany]

41. Keep this kicked 24/7 ......

..... for Andy! please

[EFerrari]

61. Yes, what else would we do?

I know you're not asking us to kick this thread and you would never ask us to do it 24/7. And certainly, we shouldn't attend to it with hearts & souls. Not that.

Thank you, Botany.

:) :grouphug:

[im10ashus]

85. Oh man.

I love Robert Frost.

[EFerrari]

182. He had a lot to say,

Try to listen to him read sometime. It will make you happy.

:hi:

[Tommymac]

38. Peace, and strength, my friend who I have never met.

May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness —
the children, the aged, the unprotected —
be guarded by beneficial celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

- Buddhist Prayer for Peace

[greatauntoftriplets]

40. Love to Andy.....

:hug:

:loveya:

[Garbo 2004]

42. Andy & his family are in my prayers. n/t

[peekaloo]

43. Come on Andy!

Damn it, pull through!

[KerryReallyWon]

46. We may lose a hero tonight...

one of our own...

[goodboy]

48. Where there's life, there's hope. Continue to hope please....

[Ladyhawk]

47. Oh Andy, please get better.

We're all behind you.

[BooScout]

49. Peace and love to Andy and his loved ones.

[mongo]

50. Lots of hope and love to Andy for a speedy recovery

and thanks to you Ben, for keeping us updated.

[bobbieinok]

51. payers , love, admiration, respect ....and thank you for all your work for

the US

[thinkingwoman]

52. Dear Andy

you are loved by people who have never even met you.

Rest easy. Be at peace. Be well.

[katinmn]

53. Thanks, Ben. Bless you, Andy.

:grouphug: Hugs for all of DU.:grouphug:

[Janice325]

54. Love to Andy and his family

Thank you ben for keeping us posted.

[johnnie]

55. My thoughts are with Andy, his family and friends

I can only hope for the best outcome. I don't know what to say. To all his friends here at DU, my thoughts are with you.

[Individualist]

56. Tell Andy he's very special

and that we're there with him in spirit.

[Catherine Vincent]

58. Yes, get some rest Andy.

We'll be waiting for you!
:loveya:

[BamaBecky]

59. Goodness....this all sounds so serious.......praying for you Andy...

I missed the other posts....have been gone all day getting ready for the storm........

Bama

:grouphug:

[EFerrari]

71. Take good care of you. We'll be here.

Thank you for checking in, Becky. :hug:

[bigluckyfeet]

159. Just Said a Special Prayer For You Andy

God Bless!

[Sannum]

60. We love you, Andy.

I don't think you can even begin to realise how much love and respect that you have all around the country, and even the world. You have fought for us, we have stood behind you. Tonight, you fight for yourself and we continue stand behind you with all of our love and support. You are our hero.

We all love you so much.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

62. A prayer

Giver of life and health, Comfort and relieve your servant Andy and give the power of healing to those who minister to his needs, that he for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in his weakness and have confidence in your loving care.

(adapted from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)

[EFerrari]

65. Oh lord. I can barely read this. I think I need some of those

Unitarian jihadis.

Please protect Andy with the Affable Caress of Your Howitzer of Love.

Because it would make him laugh.

:loveya: ANDY :loveya:

[goodboy]

69. Amen (nt)

[DeepModem Mom]

109. Amen. nt

[Flying Dream Blues]

63. Love, peace and healing to you, Andy!

Thanks for being a hero to us all. We are with you tonight!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

[Bouncy Ball]

64. This thread made me cry.

I hope he's going to be ok!!! I haven't participated much in these threads, but I've read every single update, every single post on him!

Please get better Andy! :hug:

And hugs to his family and friends.

[cry baby]

66. kick with love...

for Andy

[LeahD]

68. Love to Andy, his family and friends.

[progmom]

70. Andy - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

You have meant to much to us.

[proud2BlibKansan]

72. Thanks Ben

Hang in there Andy. Hang tough.

:grouphug:

[EC]

73. Love and hoping for the best... n/t

[Amaya]

74. Peace to Andy and his family

[helderheid]

77. Ben thanks for this

Please send him my love and thank him too for being the torchbearer - he is my evote fraud inspiration as I know he is to so many. I will be meditating on him and sending him healing energy.

[wovenpaint]

78. Sending a prayer your way

and many more for you and your family....sending healing thoughts, too!

:hug:

[OzarkDem]

79. We're with you in spirit, Andy

You and your family are not alone, we're all right there with you.

Prayers for strength, for healing and for peace.

[merh]

81. What I Did For Love

What I Did For Love

Kiss today goodbye,
The sweetness and the sorrow.
Wish me luck, the same to you.
But I can't regret
What I did for love, what I did for love.
Look my eyes are dry.
The gift was ours to borrow.
It's as if we always knew,
And I won't forget what I did for love,
What I did for love.

Gone,
Love is never gone.
As we travel on,
Love's what we'll remember.
Kiss today goodbye,
And point me t'ward tomorrow.
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for
Love

What I did for
Love

What I did for...

Love
Love is never gone
As we travel one
Love's what we'll remember
Kiss today goodbye.

And point me t'ward tomorrow.

Point me t'ward tomorrow
We did what we had to do.
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for love.
What I did for love.

What I did for love

Love


From the musical A Chorus Line

:loveya: Andy :loveya:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

82. Sending my love to Andy, Termite and his family

[Lady Effingbroke]

83. Peace and love to Andy and his family.

:hug:

[Kadie]

84. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy and his family.

[blue neen]

86. Strength and peace to you, Andy.

You are such an inspiration to us all. :grouphug:

[helderheid]

87. I've lit you a candle online and will now light mine offline

All of you reading this, please take a minute to quiet yourselves and send Andy loving thoughts and healing thoughts - please picture what is making him ill melting away and his body healing.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/view.cfm?id=742443&p=3390&l=ENG&s=f&cid=742443

[BattyDem]

94. Thank you so much for this link!

I just lit a candle for Andy. :-)

[grace0418]

103. Lovely site.

I lit one too.

[cry baby]

117. me, too

:cry:

[Individualist]

96. Very nice

I just went to the site and lit a candle for Andy.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/mycandle.cfm?id=742458#

[AlwaysDemocrat]

97. I lit a candle there too

Andy and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[goodboy]

105. Here's my candle:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm

[lildreamer316]

119. Cande lit n/t

[proud patriot]

121. I just lit a candle

Thanks for the link

[Tess49]

123. I lit a candle for Andy. Thanks for leading us to this site.

[medeak]

138. lovely link

candle lit

[blue northern]

155. Andy, you are so loved here.

[xmas74]

164. Done.

I lit two candles just now-one for Andy and one for my uncle who suffered a possible stroke on the way to work this morning.

Thank you for the site.

[Ladyhawk]

184. Thanks. I lit a candle.

I don't know what else to do or say.

Andy, I give you what strength I have.

[grace0418]

88. I'm thinking of you Andy.

You are surrounded with love.

xo

[helderheid]

89. kick

[VelmaD]

90. I just want to say thank you to everyone...

who has posted on this thread and others like it. It means the world to me to know that you have Andy in your thoughts and prayers and I know it means a lot to him too. Thank you all, you have no idea how much it helps. :grouphug:

[alittlelark]

92. sigh............

:grouphug: :cry: :grouphug:

[troubleinwinter]

100. My thanks too...

for all of the loving messages and thoughts.

[understandinglife]

91. We are all with you Andy; we always have been.

Peace, my friend.

[kayleybeth]

93. Sending prayers and strength

for Andy and his family.
:grouphug:

[linazelle]

151. And I am as well. nt

[earthboundmisfit]

95. Andy - you're the spirit of DU. We love you.

Our hearts are with you, friend.

[benburch]

98. Meditation XVII - John Donne

PERCHANCE he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know not that. The church is Catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all. When she baptizes a child, that action concerns me; for that child is thereby connected to that body which is my head too, and ingrafted into that body whereof I am a member. And when she buries a man, that action concerns me: all mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another. As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come, so this bell calls us all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness. There was a contention as far as a suit (in which both piety and dignity, religion and estimation, were mingled), which of the religious orders should ring to prayers first in the morning; and it was determined, that they should ring first that rose earliest. If we understand aright the dignity of this bell that tolls for our evening prayer, we would be glad to make it ours by rising early, in that application, that it might be ours as well as his, whose indeed it is. The bell doth toll for him that thinks it doth; and though it intermit again, yet from that minute that that occasion wrought upon him, he is united to God. Who casts not up his eye to the sun when it rises? but who takes off his eye from a comet when that breaks out? Who bends not his ear to any bell which upon any occasion rings? but who can remove it from that bell which is passing a piece of himself out of this world?

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee. Neither can we call this a begging of misery, or a borrowing of misery, as though we were not miserable enough of ourselves, but must fetch in more from the next house, in taking upon us the misery of our neighbours. Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did, for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it. No man hath affliction enough that is not matured and ripened by and made fit for God by that affliction. If a man carry treasure in bullion, or in a wedge of gold, and have none coined into current money, his treasure will not defray him as he travels. Tribulation is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it, except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it. Another man may be sick too, and sick to death, and this affliction may lie in his bowels, as gold in a mine, and be of no use to him; but this bell, that tells me of his affliction, digs out and applies that gold to me: if by this consideration of another's danger I take mine own into contemplation, and so secure myself, by making my recourse to my God, who is our only security.

[all.of.me]

99. thinking of you, andy

i did not see the other thread, but i hope he is ok. prayers and good energy to you, andy!

[in_cog_ni_to]

101. We love you, Andy!

My thoughts and prayers to Andy and his family. :hug:

[earth mom]

102. Sending Prayers, Peace and Strength to you Andy....

:grouphug:

[hedda_foil]

104. We are with you, Andy. We will always be with you.

Hold Fast To Dreams
by The Unknown Poet

Hold fast your dreams,
they shelter you through lonely nights,
gently they become the pillow,
that puts destination in your sights.

Hold tight the memories,
the heart ach that burns,
for the one who wins,
is the one who remembers and learns.

Nurture the moments,
handle with care,
for destiny states,
for each heart there`s a pair.

Cast off the anger,
and its deep rooted seed,
remember t'was anger ,
that caused your heart to bleed,

Snuggle each memory,
a warm blanket held tight,
bringing you vision,
guidance, sunlight.

Push away despair, nurture the hope,
so impossible it seems,
but the only way out,
is to hold fast to dreams.

[CoffeeCat]

106. Thinking of you Andy...

...and sending you loads of sparkly light and glowy, peaceful thoughts.

[doublethink]

108. Prayers Andy ........

You are a big part of not only this site, but our world. Get well, rest, keep the faith, and Peace. :)

[GardeningGal]

110. We love you Andy

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

[faithnotgreed]

112. so many thoughts and a special prayer andy

[demodonkey]

114. Andy, we will will not drop the ball... we will fight for our Democracy.

You are a true Patriot, and you know how much I love you my little brother...

MB

[katinmn]

115. verified paper ballots and health care for all!

NGU

[faithnotgreed]

118. big love kick

[flyarm]

116. sweet sweet friend..be well my friend...

Robert Louis Stevenson

Fear Not, Dear Friend, But Freely Live Your Days


Fear not, dear friend, but freely live your days
Though lesser lives should suffer. Such am I,
A lesser life, that what is his of sky
Gladly would give for you, and what of praise.
Step, without trouble, down the sunlit ways.
We that have touched your raiment, are made whole
From all the selfish cankers of man's soul,
And we would see you happy, dear, or die.
Therefore be brave, and therefore, dear, be free;
Try all things resolutely, till the best,
Out of all lesser betters, you shall find;
And we, who have learned greatness from you, we,
Your lovers, with a still, contented mind,
See you well anchored in some port of rest.

[merh]

127. fly

:hug:

[suffragette]

120. Sending prayers of strength, hope and health.

:hug:

[Redstone]

122. Go easy, Andy.

Go easy.

Redstone

[helderheid]

124. Something I need to say to you my friend

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm

Andy, I want you to survive and I am sending you healing to help you to. However, my dear friend, if you are ready to go, let me assure you - your cause will carry on. Don't worry for a moment about that. You, our torchbearer, have shown us the way. We will go forth and expose the evote fraud IN YOUR NAME. Andy, we all must go and though I don't want you to, just know that when you do, you will live forever in your work - in your cause - because we will be living you in every step we take to make elections fair. God bless you Andy. How honored I am to have shared an email or two with you.

My candle:

For Andy Stephenson http://www.andythanksyou.com/ God bless you and thank you for fighting for fair elections. I love you and send you healing energy and love

— from United States

[merh]

142. That is wonderful.

:hug: Thank you. :hug:

:loveya: Andy :loveya:

[Gemini Cat]

126. Andy:

When people tell me there are no American heroes, I tell them about you. You are a hero and a patriot!

Peace and be well, Andy!

:hug:

[gardenista]

128. Wishing Andy peace and comfort right now.

Keep on fighting Andy, we are all behind you.

Please keep fighting.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

129. I'm sad...

I don't know Andy but I have of course followed his story and his struggle, and there was one posted picture of him that made just instantly fall in love with him...I forget which it was, but he has the most open expression and beautiful smile.

I just hope he's not suffering too much right now and that he knows how many people are pulling for him.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

130. Sending loving thoughts to you Andy and to all those who hold you dear.

[Must_B_Free]

131. Hang in there, god_bush_n_cheney!

I hope like hell that you can pull it out. It's happened before. I'm not ready to give up.

[AlienGirl]

132. Andy...my thoughts are with you...

:hug:

[stepnw1f]

133. Thank You Andy

You are an inspiration to the newbies. Bless you!

[sojourner]

134. Loving thoughts and hope for healing accompany this post...

I've never had the pleasure of meeting you personally Andy, but associating with you here in this forum, and others, was a privelage.

The world is a richer place for having held a soul as true as yours - for however brief a moment. Hopefully that moment will stretch out a bit longer and we'll rally round the cause together once again.

Peace.

edit: typo

[AnotherMother4Peace]

135. A candle burns here for you, Andy & healing thoughts for you

[Debbi801]

136. thanks Ben and thanks DU...

for everything each of us did to help. Andy really touched me and i'm honored that i got to spend time w/ him in Maryland.

:hug:
debbi

[expatriate]

139. I'm sorry I have missed the threads that were deleted

Peace to you, Andy. And thank you.

[WhoDoYouTrust]

140. Been rooting for Andy for a long time.

Not gonna stop now.

:loveya:

[medeak]

141. what a journey...

The Journey ©
Irene McIsaac
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
2004
We do not travel it alone
Nor do we know where it will take us
And to truly experience it
We must put our trust
In those who will be our guides.

We board the train full of anticipation
Not knowing where we will alight
Or what awaits us at each stop.
With faith, we hold the hands that welcome us
And let them lead us down the winding roads.

Each destination sets the stage and scenery
Where the curtain rises to reveal and tell the story
Of those who touch our lives,
Those who steal our hearts
And those who capture our love.

As the train travels farther afield
And fellow passengers depart one by one
We bid them adieu, sad to see them go
And we are left wondering
When and where we will meet again.

So much to see, so much to do
So much yet to be fulfilled.
So many blessings
So much to be thankful for
So many dreams to be realized.

Suddenly, before we know it
The wheels start turning faster,
The once long track grows shorter
And, as our train approaches the terminus,
We reflect and ask ourselves...

Did we appreciate those we met along the way?
Did we give a helping hand when needed?
Did we learn from our mistakes?
Did we care enough to make it matter?
Did we notice the beauty around us?

Did we accomplish all we hoped for?
Were many words left unspoken?
Now there is no turning back,
We must be satisfied with who we are
And accept the consequences of our deeds.

Did we choose it?
Was it chosen for us?
Did we live it to the fullest?
Would we travel the same roads again?
In this journey of Life!

[Avalon Sparks]

143. Just wanted to say....

Thinking of you tonight Andy, and sending hopes and prayers your way.
You mean so much to all of us and to this country.

[Bluerthanblue]

144. i see you

being wrapped in arms of love- so much love, and all are whispering in your ears, peace, comfort and love.

You are so loved- it spills out on all of us.
Tender mercies surround you, comfort, and fill you with peace.

from a friend who never touched you, but has been so touched BY and through you-

em

[BeHereNow]

146. That is so beautiful and a perfect tribute

to the beauty of Andy's soul.
Thank You EM.
Andy has touched so many of us,
He is a beautiful flame that will burn in our hearts forever.
Whether here, or from the other side, Andy's light
will continue to illuminate the hearts of all who have been touched
by his beautiful soul and being.

BHN

[EFerrari]

152. Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.

O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

[question everything]

176. Thinking of you, Andy

and kick

[mzmolly]

150. That's wonderful.

Thank you.

[crispini]

145. You are in my prayers, Andy.

Sending love.... :loveya:

[OhNoTheyDidNot]

147. I'm begging you Andy - please please please get better

[Janice325]

148. Another candle lit for Andy.

[mzmolly]

149. Andy, you are a special person. I pray for your continued healing.

Even some of the conservatives who slandered you are praying for you now.

[tblue37]

153. In my thoughts

and prayers, Andy.

[lavenderdiva]

154. thank you for this update benburch...

Andy, I hope you can feel the love and hugs that we are all sending you... You and your family are in my prayers, and have been for a long time. The first time I 'met' you here on DU, you were scared and posted, and I prayed for you then. You posted back and said that it really helped. Many, many of us here are holding you close in our hearts and in our prayers. You are so precious to us here, and to so many throughout this country. We love you Andy!! :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Demonaut]

156. Hang in Andy, your work ain't over yet.

sending good vibes your way

[KT2000]

157. Dear Andy, you are in our

thoughts and our hearts. Whether it was the the voting, your campaign or the fundraising, you have given us higher mountains to climb. Thank you for that. You made us better people.
Peace and love to you -
Kathy

[satya]

158. Andy, you have touched so many lives. Sending love and gratitude and

lighting a candle for you.

Buddhist Prayer for Peace

May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.

May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.

May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending one another.

May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wildernesses--
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

[redacted]

160. My Pancreatitis Treatment

I understand the gravity of the situation, but I sent this to Ben over PM with the hope that it might help. Thought I'd post it here as well.

-----------

Ben: IÕve been recovering from a moderate to severe case of acute pancreatitis caused by a drug reaction since an 18-day hospitalization in April. I wasnÕt alware of the severity of AndyÕs situation until a few hours ago, I was very lucky to receive some of the best care in the country and just wanted to quickly share with you the treatments that helped me, in the hope that this information might somehow be useful to AndyÕs family or physicians.

Here are the most important points.

I was given the powerful antibiotic cocktail Rocepin followed by Imipenem/cilastatin. My understanding was that this was not well known or often used, but extremely effective for infections in sterile areas of the abdomen.

For acute pain management I was treated with a combination of MS Contin and Vicodin. These medications allowed me to have fairly good mental acuity while still controlling the pain to good degree. Pain nurses were effectively able to manage breakthrough pain with injections of Dilaudid on an as needed basis.

IÕd be happy to pass on any additional information or contacts that might be helpful.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy.

-redacted

[EFerrari]

161. Thank you, redacted.

:grouphug:

[redacted]

191. Thanks sfexpat2000

Received a reply from Ben a short while ago, and just sent him web links and technical info about the IV antibiotics I was treated with.

[prairierose]

162. I lit a candle for Andy ....

& I send thoughts of strength, healing and peace to him and his family.

:grouphug:

[yvr girl]

163. Andy, strength and peace

:grouphug: to you and yours.

[dogonarug]

165. Andy's song...

You once told me you had written a song, "paper trails" sung to the tune of "happy trails" Figures, that you would write a song about voting issues...LOL...Someday, when you find the time, I hope that we can record that song as you wished. As always, the doors to the studio are open to you and my thoughts are with you tonight.




O8)

[demodonkey]

169. Paper Trails To You

Some Trails are Happy Trails
Some Trails not so fun
It's the way you use the Trail that counts
Rigging Vote Machines is FUN

Paper Trails to You,
So we can steal your vote.

Paper Trails to You,
We'll do it by remote.

Cryptography's hypocrisy's it's secret,
What we really want 's a paper ballot.

Paper Trails to you,
So you'll think you won.

--- Andy Stephenson

[EFerrari]

175. LOL!

:rofl:

Bartender, a big hug for my friend here.

[demodonkey]

180. Taught to me by 'da man himself!

:P

[helderheid]

196. Ben, please post that song Andy wrote on his site.

It will make everyone smile while they are wiping their tears.

Rest in peace, my friend. You are so loved.

[hlthe2b]

166. Andy, we want to fight for you, to battle the infection and the

cancer that threatens to take you away from us. We are selfish. We want you here with us. But, my friend, most of all we want you to be at peace.

You are in our hearts and we will treasure whatever time you are able to share with us. But, I hope and pray that can occur with you here, healing, and prepared to spend many many years with us. Love to you and your family and friends. We are here for you.

[Stinky The Clown]

167. A sweet and gentle song for a wonderful man

who worked toward making this a ......

(WHAT A) WONDERFUL WORLD
sung by Louis Armstrong (imagine his wonderful happy voice as you read these words) .......

(George Weiss / Bob Thiele)

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh yeah

That's for you, Andy .... what you work so hard to bring us all ..... a **more** wonderful world ......

[EFerrari]

172. Yes! A mo' wonderful world.

Thank you. :hug:

[Bozita]

177. my very favorite tune ... sung by a real legend

It's been on my hard drive for years.

[Raksha]

168. Love and strength to you, Andy...

Here's my candle:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/mycandle.cfm?id=742458#

[merh]

170. ~

:hug:

[Janice325]

171. My eyes are really starting to tear up

All of these posts are so poignant and beautiful. I think everyone is staying up with Andy tonight/this morning, and hoping for him to be with us much, much longer.

[EFerrari]

173. Well, Janice, can't dance.

Welcome to DU. We're usually a lot more bickery than this. :hi:

[Janice325]

181. Thanks.

I know. :hi: back atcha.
Kicking for Andy.

[bettyellen]

174. i can't say a thing that hasn't already been said.

and you already know i love you.
i wish i could be there to hold your hand.
b

[Horse with no Name]

178. Thoughts and prayers to all of his family and friends

who have struggled through this with Andy and hopes for the best possible outcome.

Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child
Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child

If I can walk on water
And calm a restless sea
I've done a thousand things you've never done

And I'm weary watchin'
While you struggle on your own
Call my name, I'll come

Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child
Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child

I give vision to the blind
And I can raise the dead
I've seen the darker side of Hell
And I returned
And I see these sleepless nights
And I count every tear you cry
I know some lessons hurt to learn

Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child
Lay down your burden, I will carry you
I will carry you, my child, my child


Amy Grant

[ninkasi]

179. Dear, gentle friend...

To Andy, the best of the best...

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The soul that rises with us, our life's star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar; Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

So it may be that what Andy goes to is another kind of birth, and here, or in another existence, he will be with us, and dear to us. May you heal, sweet Andy, I am sending many, many loving thoughts to you and your family tonight.

[AmBlue]

183. With love, for Andy...

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists, that roll and rise!
Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!


Long have I known a glory in it all,
But never knew I this;
Here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart, -- Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year;
My soul is all but out of me, -- let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.

-God's World, by Edna St. Vincent Millay

[housewolf]

185. No words...

just sending love and light
in the deepest trust

[Mnemosyne]

186. My prayers to you Andy.

I pray that you are not suffering much.
I pray for your loved ones to find comfort as they are by your side.
My heart is with you.
Vicki

[Hissyspit]

187. Comfort to Andy, his family, and his extended family. Hang in there...

everyone.

[Dem2theMax]

188. The true measure of a man...his friends.

Andy, I hope someone is reading these posts to you. I hope you can feel all the love, hope, healing light and strength that is being sent to you. We all love you and respect you so very much. And please know, :hug: , you are now being surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of arms, holding you close to each and every one of us.
We will NEVER let go of you Andy. And we will NEVER give up your fight. So you do what you have to do, whatever choice you make my friend, whether it be time to go or time to fight some more, you have our support and our love.

Andy, it's true. The real measure of a man is who his friends are - you may feel blessed to have so many friends and caring, concerned fellow DU'ers that you've never even met. But it is we who are blessed to know you Andy. Sending so much more love than you could imagine. Peace be with you friend. Love, Renee (Dem2theMax)

[expatriate]

190. From The Wizard Of Oz

"Remember, my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."

If that is so, and I believe it is, Andy - you have a great heart.

Go well.

[Crunchy Frog]

192. Candle lit.

Don't know what else to say.:cry:

[donheld]

193. Your pain is over

Your soul is at rest. Peace be unto you.

[Botany]

194. One more kick for Andy .......

Blessing and prayers on his spirt, family, and friends.

[soleft]

195. Andy, good luck on your continued journey

We will miss you here as we toil on in ours.

[Nothing Without Hope]

197. Resting now - we must carry on the fight now. He showed us how.

And he's leaving it in our hands.

Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.
-–Tecumseh

[ooglymoogly]

198. wishing you the best andy

hope you will be bounding around the bloggesphere soon.