Good morning Laurie,

Hope and memories are things we cannot lose, cannot be taken away from us, and truly keep us going. I applaud that Leroy's friends are still there for you, for they are truly friends to keep. You are helping them deal the with the loss of their friend.

Have a good weekend.

1-2-3 Lifting.

Sent by Sue Chap | 8:22 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie, you are so right! It is about living. Neil fought his cancer every step of the way. Even that last week, he did not give up hope. Now it is up to us to keep that hope alive, to keep living, to keep the Leroy's, Neil's, Burge's and the so many others alive with our memories.
We fought our battles right along with Leroy. We supported one another along the way and because of Leroy, we became a family. Thank you for allowing us to share those memories with you.
Love, hugs and continued prayers....

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 8:29 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie, you are lucky to have such wonderful friends that are helping you right now. I am sure they too are missing Leroy very much. We here in this community also miss him. But we are also very fortunate to have you. I have appreciated so much your continueing to stay with us.

Laurie, I hope you will have best weekend possible. We are all still out here lifting!!!

Sent by dorothy in oregon | 8:41 AM ET | 09-12-2008

You are so lucky!

Sent by Liz L. | 9:15 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie,

How awesome to have such good friends! Even though we have never met, your friends online are thinking about you every day, keeping you in their prayers and reading your blog to make sure you are OK. Thanks for continuing to show up - what you are doing for the people that are "left behind" is as important as what Leroy did for the cancer community.

Sent by Jan | 9:15 AM ET | 09-12-2008

And he always will. Rock on Leroy!

Sent by Donna Bennett | 9:17 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Hi Laurie,

I'm looking forward to Sunday. What a wonderful thing to do. After hearing the C diagnosis, life does seem to change and I think for the better. If only I knew then what I know now. Priorities change swiftly and family and friends become the most important relationship aspect of life. How wonderful. Your life is blessed.

Sent by Kathy B. | 9:22 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Friends always mean alot. But - after a loved one passes away - they mean even more. At least, that's what I experienced. Talk to them, cry to them, share and share some more. They'll listen. They'll walk with you on this difficult journey. Hugs to you, Laurie. 1-2-3-everyone lift!

Sent by Linnea | 9:30 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie, I am glad to hear that friends of Leroy and yours are taking care of you. It is an extension and continuation of their love for Leroy. It's important not to lose connections to Leroy, through his and your friends. Hang onto those connections and cultivate them.

Best Wishes on Saturday.

Sent by Marilyn | 9:41 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Yesterday I went in to have a lump remomed from under my Jaw, the doctors had told me it was more than likely a lipoma(benign) whichthey're pretty sure it was. I was still scared S******S. It's funny all I thought about was Leroy leading up to my surgery. I am a two year cancer survivor, and I read Leroy on a daily basis. And you're right he did bring hope, But he's still bringing hope to guys like me, and giving us all courage, don't kid yourself Laurie, Leroy hasn't gone anywhere. One mor thing I really had no idea what an accomplised jounalist he was until after his death, I only knew him through his blogs. You deserve a good weekend Laurie go out and have it and remember you have millions in your boat with you.

Sent by Tom from Tucson | 9:47 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Your last sentence is SO TRUE! Because that is where they live now, isn't it...What is hopeful about the healing process is that eventually,in my experience, we can actually think of our loved ones without wanting to scream and shout...Without the overpowering sadness that can envelop one...often in the beginning, and less so later on...

Sent by Sandra Yudilevich | 9:49 AM ET | 09-12-2008

And still lifting. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad you are surrounded by love.

Sent by Laura | 9:51 AM ET | 09-12-2008

I'm so glad that Leroy's good friends are there for you and that you talk about Leroy and keep his memory alive!! It just wouldn't be right to do otherwise I don't think!
Sending love to you today Laurie...Linda

Sent by Linda Lee | 9:52 AM ET | 09-12-2008

I have teared up more times reading your few comments than I ever did Leory's. I think its cos living with cancer we all relate to each other and understand the fear, but suddenly reading the other side from a caregivers point of view, and how hard it is to lose a loved one - makes it more real that if I get another reoccurance thats the road my family & friends would have to travel too. It just makes me more sad knowing they would have the heartbreak you are going though now and my heart goes out to you totally for your loss.

Just such a shitty disease, and I wish a cure would be found quickly :}

Sent by Jill Curtis | 10:27 AM ET | 09-12-2008

I'm heartened, but not surprised, that you have such a large group of friends to help you get through this terrible time. Take care.

Sent by Gyla Fowler | 10:38 AM ET | 09-12-2008

I'm heartened, but not surprised, that you have such a large group of friends to help you get through this terrible time. Take care.

Sent by Gyla Fowler | 10:38 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Dear Laurie,
I am so glad you have friends who are with you and will help celebrate Leroy's life on Sunday. Thanks for allowing us to share it, too. I like what Sandra said about the healing process eventually taking us to a place "without the overpowering sadness".
Charlotte in Rural Ridge, PA

Sent by Charlotte Kewish | 10:46 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Dear Laurie,
It's no surprise that you are surrounded by good friends and that they are still rallied around you. And, you're right - there is nothing like that feeling of being enveloped. Next best thing to a big hug from Leroy, unless I miss my guess, because that's basically what it is.

Even now, two years later, that's how it feels to me when we talk about Mom. Or when I wear her favorite blouse - especially then.

Still lifting and thanking you again and always.

Sent by Judie in CT | 10:47 AM ET | 09-12-2008

In some ways, as long as there are memories to share, our loved ones who died are still alive. I'm so glad you have those friends to let you cry and share stories with. And THANK YOU for sharing some of your Leroy stories with those of us who only knew him through this blog but miss him too.

Sent by N.R. | 10:51 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Dear Laurie,
Sending you much love and gentle hugs.........still lifting.

Prayers to all.

Sent by sasha | 11:21 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie, Good Friends, Family, and an excellent "Life Giver" make all the difference. They energize you for the fight. They energize you now to change your focus, back to yourself. Healing from these kinds of losses is difficult. Takes lots of time, but also never really goes away. Leroy was a large presence, allow his strength to help you now. There is a light at the end of the Tunnel; the light gets a little closer everyday. Have a nice weekend, Thoughts, Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 11:30 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie: I'll try my best to be here Sunday. If not, will listen later. You will be in my thoughts either way.

Laurie Hirth: I didn't see my post thanking you for the song. May be I just missed it, but at any rate, it is a wonderful, heart warming song. Thanks for sharing. I'm passing it on to Burge's sisters.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki in Kansas | 11:39 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Oh Laurie -- what a beautiful post, THAT'S what I loved about Leroy as I slowly got to know him through his posts and listening to his voice -- his HOPE and that he saw the fight with the "Beast" as his challenge every day" -- pushing every day to beat those odds" Who wouldn't want to have had a friend like "The Big Guy"!

"Living in Memories..." A friend called me yesterday when she had found out my two friends had died and she said living in memories was good for me AND good for the ones lost. Good for me because living in the memories helps to redefine who I am. And good for those that died in that when you relive a memory or share a beautiful thought with your passed love one in mind it helps them in the world beyond death. My friend said they actually know this and it heartens them. The deceased know when they are being thought of and it helps them and your relationship with them, then, takes on a new dimension; one that is more than just memories. I like this...it is comforting and sounds intuitively right to me. All the best for a meaningful celebration of Leroy on Sunday. I hope you have many laughs and tears as you remember/bring to larger thatn life "The Big Guy" we all came to know and love here in cyberspace. We will all be there in heart and spirit. With Love, Graham from Sag Harbor.

Sent by Graham G. Hawks | 11:57 AM ET | 09-12-2008

Dear Laurie,

I am so glad that you have those great friends to keep you going and share memories and stories of Leroy. I look forward to hearing about Sunday's celebration of Leroy's life. Take care of yourself. Prayers as always.

Karen

Sent by Karen | 12:05 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie, What a wonderful and generous gesture to include us in the memorial. Even if I am not able to listen in, I will put aside a special time to be there in spirit. Thank you so much for the opportunity. It's funny how you can feel that you know someone, never having met them. It brings me great joy to know that you will be surrounded by everyone that loved Leroy and although I'm sure many tears will be spread, I'm also sure that there will be laughter. (And probably lots of it) Leroy just seemed like such an incredible person and as I've said before, you were both blessed to have each other. Gone in body but never in spirit, until you meet again.

Sent by Jeanne Stevens | 12:18 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Living in our memories..
My mother's family believed in telling family stories...and my children still tell the one about my grandfather's uncle who, in 1888, adopted and raised my orphaned grandfather and his brother (ages 6 and 8)although he was poor, a widower and had two teenagers of his own. John McCarthy does still live on.
And I think LeRoy will too.

Sent by Tara | 12:21 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Hi Laurie
You are lucky to have such good friends and family. They are very important at this time, this is when you know who your real friends are. Lean on them, they miss him almost as much as you do, and, like you, want to talk about him and remember their times together with him.

To Tom in Tucson, man I hope you get a good result from your biopsy.
Peace to all today

Sent by fay in Gilbert AZ | 12:29 PM ET | 09-12-2008

I love the vision of "the big guy" sitting in his big leather chair, laughing and talking and enjoying and living and loving, with you and that gang of unbelievably loyal friends gathered together.

With wishes for magic and wonder and sweetness and great love to you, Leroy and all loved ones gathered together on Sunday ~

Sent by Kim Forester | 12:32 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie

Leory is indeed still living in OUR memories as well.. and even more so.... Leory will live on in our actions and attitudes!!

Leroy changed so many.. he inspired and motivated thousands of us and through all our actions his influence and presense will be felt for a long time to come!

Laurie lean on those very dear friends, allow them to support you and help you through this transition

We are all with you

Sent by Ron Bye (NH) | 12:41 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie,
Having followied Leroy's blog for some time, one feels one knew him personally. We even are starting to know you.
I wonder if you would mind posting some photos of your Siever's clan. It would bring a greater sense of reality to all of us.

Sent by Robert Brower | 12:43 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Dear Laurie, How wonderful to know that Leroy did not give up hope but pushed each day to survive. Was it the same for you? Or was it more difficult? Take care and keep living.

Sent by Martha C. | 1:01 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie, as the years go on I am even more grateful for those friends who knew and remember my husband. It's been nearly 19 years since he died from Hodgkins Lymphoma, but I am always grateful when a friend starts a sentence with, "Remember that time that Philip ...." I always smile!

Sent by annie | 1:22 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie: Your blogs have become a very important part of my day. I do so hope that you're getting something out of writing them and will continue to do so for the unforseen future.

Sent by Robert Sheehan | 1:35 PM ET | 09-12-2008

He will always live in your memories as my husband lives in mine!!!!!

Sent by Deb from Michigan | 2:07 PM ET | 09-12-2008

And in all our memories, too. He did so much for us.

Sent by Karen | 3:56 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Dear Laurie,

Thank G-d for our friends, what would we do without them? You will always have Leroy in your memories and there will always be Leroy stories; and, he knows that YOU ARE ANGRY AND MISSING HIM LIKE H ELL because he is not there to join in the fun. Take care, Laurie, and we all love you and are there for you also.
Jan

Sent by JANICE GOLDBERG WHITE | 4:06 PM ET | 09-12-2008

One of the things I loved most about Leroy was that he seemed to find that spark of hope, over and over, even in the darkest times. It didn't really seem that he was in denial -- just that his natural optimism could not be dimmed for long.
He gave so many of us hope and courage!
And laughing over "Leroy stories" with others who knew and loved him is a way of keeping his wonderful spirit alive.

Sent by Doris | 6:42 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Nikki,
It was there...thank you and I am thrilled you found comfort in those words. I swear, every time I hear it on the radio or at home, it is Neil talking to me! I cherish those moments...
Much love, Laurie

Sent by Laurie Hirth | 7:06 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Laurie,
Thanks for allowing us to continue to hear "Leroy" stories, and to tell our own "Leon", "Burge", "Pat", "John",
"Neil", "David", "Terry" stories. They are so alive to us.
Graham, I so hope that your friend's belief is true. I, for one, choose to believe that Leon knows how much I love and miss him, and that he hears me when I talk to him. Anyone think that I've lost it??
Jane

Sent by Jane in AR | 8:45 PM ET | 09-12-2008

Jane: Not at all. Although I have never, ever felt Terry's presence around me, I still think there's more to life than living and dying. Otherwise, it's just all a cruel joke, isn't it?

I think some people are very simply completely DONE here and move on, never to return to us with their presence. And that's OK. They don't hurt any more, and we have the memories.

Sent by Bruce | 11:46 AM ET | 09-13-2008

Leroy's thoughts on life love and hope have forged a major change with in myself. As a person who has been over coming depression his message of hope had found a home. His message of love has made me try to become closer to my own family. Leroy's message of life hit home. That is to say I have learned to try and enjoy my life more. I only knew Leroy from his storie's but found a friend in him just the same.
Our world will not shine as bright but our lives have been made richer because of Leroy. May God hold you in his hands and may you feel the love from those that he touched.

Sent by Mark Camper | 4:22 PM ET | 09-13-2008