October 06, 2012

David Emerson

Kansas City Hospice House, Room #6, Friday, October 5, 2012, 2:15 PM

As I sit at my husband's bedside, I contemplate who the man David Emerson is. The man that I have shared half my life with. A man who frequently completed my sentences and I his. We often laughed at our ability to read each other's minds. Always on the same wavelength. It is a wonderful gift to have a connection with someone like that in your lifetime.

So who was David Emerson? He was a kind, patient, generous man, never judgemental or pretentious. He worked hard for his accomplishments and was proud of them. He loved sports, both as a participant, and as a fan. He loved to travel. He loved a wide variety of music and often found comfort through his interpretations. He loved technology. He loved the change of seasons. First and foremost, he loved his family and friends.

He was a man of faith. The greatest testament to his faith was the example he set as a husband, father, son, nephew, brother, uncle, great uncle, friend and confidante to many. Another amazing example of David's faith was the way he chose to accept his advanced prostate cancer diagnosis. He turned to God and tried to understand the purpose of this circumstance. He valiently fought not only his personal battle, but chose to pursue the battle on behalf of men fighting the disease, as well as all men who had the potential to be at risk. He was passionate about sharing his knowledge and the raw emotions of his personal experience.

Through the blog, David was able to reach out to the many touched by prostate cancer all over the world. He always appreciated the  comments he received from his posts. He made good friends through this medium as well. David was an inspiration, a hero, a kind, loving, genuine spirit. He created a legacy that his family and friends take great pride in. The world is a better place for having had David Emerson a part of it. He will be greatly missed. God bless you David.

****************************************************************************

A Memorial Mass is planned for Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 2:00 PM at
St. Michael the Archangel Church, 14201 Nall Avenue Leawood, KS 66223
A reception to celebrate David's life will immediately follow in Fr. Porter Hall.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I sit here reading Davids Blog to catch up on things.....I have tears streaming down my cheeks finding out that he has passed....I am deeply saddened. My most sincere and heartfelt sympathy for your loss and your family and friends loss of David ♥ The world has suffered a great loss too. My thoughts and prayers are with you.....Most sincere, Jackie

Cherie Schaaf said...

My heart goes out to you and your family. My husband lost his battle with prostate cancer in late August and for much of the past year it seemed that his disease symptoms paralleled those of David's. I want you to know how inspired we both were by David - his selfless courage and willingness to share this journey, so that others dealing with this knew they were not alone. He leaves behind an incredible legacy of hope.

Anonymous said...

Peace and to you, Mary. And Brad, too. So sorry for your loss. I was deeply saddened that my friend died but he lives on in my heart, in our hearts in the PCa world, and in spirit.

Tony & Ruth Crispino

Anonymous said...

It's with a profound sadness that we learned of David's passing. Yes, Mary, what an amazing man you shared with all of us! In ways he may not have understood his life made an impact on others. In his musings one could find such connection with this struggle - the fear, resolve, weakness, strength and love came through in every post.
Our sincerest condolences to you and your wonderful son. May God give you peace.
Thank you,
Don & Susan
Your Florida Friends

Anonymous said...

Mary and Brad , I am very sorry for your great loss.I am saddened to hear of Davids passing,
sincerely,
Dan Jory

Mark Hernandez said...

Mary and Brad, I first met Brad 14 years ago when we were neighbors and he asked for help planting a tree in the backyard. I knew from that point on that David was a special person. I have always been amazed by his strength and passion in everything he did in life. Amy and I have seen too many people lately in our lives suffer through this horrible thing called "Cancer", but I am starting to believe that as horrible of a disease it is. It is also something that is teaching us all a lesson in life. I know that I am trying to live my life with the same strength and love that those like David have because of them. I was also once mad/sad at why God would do something like this to us! However, I am starting to understand it in a little different manner. I feel that God sent David and the others to us as Angels to make our lives better and more complete, and now it is time for those Angels to be in heaven with the other Angels. I can only hope that one day I too am an Angel in heaven with my friends and family whom are already there. I believe it all starts here on earth and David has helped me understand that, so I can be an Angel one day in Heaven like him!!!

Titus 2 Thandi said...

My sincere and heartfelt condolences, Mrs Emerson. No-one would have wished this on him and your family.Praying that somehow you find comfort through the pain and loneliness...

Unknown said...

Having met and known David during his Rockhurst MBA years, we have lost a really "good one". His blog of positive faith while battling for so long was a constant source of positive thoughts for me.

God be with David's family.

Gary Beggs

Marylanders said...

How true... the world at large and our own little world is indeed a better place because of David. Thank you for sharing him and his journey with us all.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. I still have the e-mail where David asked me to be involved with last year's calender shoot. I'm October. And I think I'll remember this month for a long, long time. Thanks to you and David for waking me up to make other men aware of the value of early testing, and to get the word out. God bless you and Bradley.

Bob in Belton

Jack Lowe said...

This is such a loss of a great person, he has touched so many lives across his, and in such a positive way. Our world will not be the same without him, but in some respects our world was never the same by knowing him. His energy was contagious, and desire to help and inform was something that touched the lives of all he met. The world is better for having David in it, but the world is sadder for having him leave us all to soon. Our thoughts and prayers can't begin to touch the impact he made on so many of our lives. We think heartily and thankfully of his family during this time, and pray that his energy will continue to drive others to new places, and desires.

Thanks so much for sharing David with us over the years.

Jack Lowe
Past President
Kansas City Flying Disc Club

Anonymous said...

God Bless you and your family. You have been in my prayers for quite a while and will continue to be. David was such a blessing to so many who heard his message and he had a significant impact on everyones life.

Wendy said...

I am so sorry to read about David's passing, Mary. I stumbled upon his blog a few years ago after my own husband died from a brain tumor. He was truly an inspiration to anyone dealing with suffering or a terrible disease. I know at a time like this, words are mostly meaningless. Please know you and your family are in my prayers. Wendy Diez

Anonymous said...

The world has lost a great and kind man.david was an inspiration to so many .....I am so sorry for your loss

Anonymous said...

Dear Mary,

I came across David's blog a few months ago when I was diagnosed with cancer and was doing research. I read his posts because they gave me strength. My father died of prostete cancer and I know what you are going through. I cried when i read your last post. I am writing this because I want you to know he probably helped many people like me. My thoughts will be with you for a long time.

Anonymous said...

My heart and prayers are with you Mary and your son Brad. David was truly an inspiration to me and my husband as we battled this disease. God bless you for sharing him with us.

Rose Klein

Anonymous said...

Dear Mary,

thank you for your post. I appreciate that, in your hour of need, you still thought to share your feelings with us all,

That same thought for others that so characterized David - and so endeared him to us all. I never had the opportunity to meet David but studied his writings and feel that I knew him like a brother. And, like one does from a brother, I learned so much. Not just the details of ca but how to draw that daily strength needed to carry on -for that Kathryn and I will always be grateful.

His passing leaves me so sad. He has but passed through a doorway through which we will all pass and I look forward to meeting him in another place.

God Bless him and you, Mary, and Brad.

I prayed for you all when he was alive and be assured you will continue to be in my prayers as long as I live.

Love and Prayers from across the pond,

Melvyn

Anonymous said...

Dear Mary, Today with a heavy heart I read about David's passing, he has been in my thoughts and prayers, I started emailing David when my brother,Jim was dx at the age of 47, and passed 14 months later last year, my heart breaks for you, David touched so many lives, he wrote about him, when I sent him the Starfish story ,my brother would passed to his teachers and students who made a difference, david too, was that starfish that made a difference, in so many people's life, God BLESS you and Brad, he will be missed , may God hold him , in the Palm of his Hand.
Thinking of you,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

To Mrs. Emerson and family, So sorry to hear of David's passing. I just wanted to let you know that i have closely followed this blog for the past five years. My dad passed away two years ago with prostate cancer and before that I had followed closely to David's long journey with the Big C. Your husband had offered me hopes and guidance through my dad's battle with cancer. Eventhough i lost my dad to cancer but through David i learned to not give up. I don't usually leave comment on blog but I wanted you to know how much your husband had helped me and many other families that have to battle with cancer. With deepest condolences to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I feel for your loss, I too have lost my dad and uncle from cancer prostate and colon. I pray for the strength of the family with the loss.

Prayers...

Royce A Ratterman said...

A poem I wrote that I hope brings some comfort.

I Lost My Friend


My friend passed through,
Death's dark, cold door.
I loved my friend,
Who was no more.

Those times together,
Remembered well.
Our heart's full depths,
Life's experiences to tell.

Your home, your family,
You shared with me,
Quiet, peaceful times,
To rest ... care-free.

My heart's deep sadness,
I'd lost my friend,
Gone . . . beyond,
Beyond Life's end.

Your loved one's anguish,
Their sorrow, their pain,
It crushed my soul,
Tears fell like rain.

The grief was all that I could bear,
We were such friends - the two of us.
I bid them, 'Roll the stone away.'
'Come forth! Come Forth! O' Lazarus!'

John 11:25-26


"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth
And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!" - Job 19:25-27
English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Anonymous said...

Jackie said exactly how we feel. David was an inspiration to us when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 prostrate cancer 6 years ago. We will miss him even though we only knew him through reading his blog. You and your family are in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
My dad is also diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He is taking chemo now. Can you please let me know what treatments your husband went through. You can write me on nyc201277@yahoo.com. Thank you very much.

oliviya said...

Hi everyone! my heart goes out to everyone who has suffered a loss! We in Sydney, are lucky to have a group of Urological Surgeons who specialize in Da Vinci Robotic Surgery in Sydney! so people in need please contact them.

A Literary Anthology said...

It is hard to believe it has been 2 years ago that this was posted.

May God continue to comfort you.

Coding Tutorials said...

Thanks for sharing your story with us. You are an inspiration to others. People should understand that cancer is not invincible and they can fight against cancer with all their might and inner strength and win against it, just like you.

Ivan said...

Six years have passed, but we didn't forget David and his battle.

Anonymous said...

I rememeber reading this blog. David was a brave man and this blog has helped many others.

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