Wednesday, January 11, 2006

A sad new start to the new year

It was 2 weeks ago today that I buried my wife and best friend of 14 years. http://www.mem.com/display/biography.asp?ID=1155253 Mona was the most indescribeable person I have ever met and will probably ever know. Her life is a testament to her faith and her joy for life. She passed away Christmas night due to complications from her Marfan Syndrome www.marfan.org . The ER doctor said that it was probably a catastrophic aneurism or a failed heart valve. She had survived a dissecting aortic aneurism (95% mortality rate) when she was 24 years old. She has had 5 major surgeries since to repair aneurisms along her aorta. She never complained nor did she ever tell folks about her condition unless they were family or close friends. She spent her time helping others . . . working in the NICU while she could work. Afterwards, she volunteered at the hospital one day a week and continued working in NICU. She also worked with our church's respite program. She was always looking for opportunities to serve others. In fact, Christmas Eve evening, the night before she passed away, we went down to the local shelter and helped serve dinner to the homeless. I thank God for having the opportunity to know this wonderful person and I count myself blessed that she loved me and agreed to be my wife. If you care to do anything, please make a memorial donation to the National Marfan Foundation in Mona Hamlin's name. Thank you.

I'll start blogging my running later.

5 comments:

Amy said...

Jim,

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you must be going through. Please know that you will be in my prayers.

Sincerely,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Very nice...bro

Anonymous said...

Your wonderfully written post would do any wife justice! I'm sorry for your loss but I'm so glad to hear how happy the two of you were together. That's what counts the most. :-)

Anonymous said...

Great work!
[url=http://yxyqppvp.com/jghz/hwtz.html]My homepage[/url] | [url=http://axyicyst.com/pnkd/atjb.html]Cool site[/url]

Anonymous said...

Thank you!
http://yxyqppvp.com/jghz/hwtz.html | http://tgzgazam.com/okua/erjc.html