This blog has been established for those of you who love and care about my brother, Dennis M. Rich. Dennis battled sarcoma for over two years. His strength and courage is truly inspiring. This is a piece of his story.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Rich Runs
These pics are from the 2007 Boston Marathon. Thanks Rhonda for sending them in!
What an amazing day, it's almost a year already! I don't think any of us, including Dennis thought he would be gone just a few months later. Not to sound corny but, count your blessings and try to enjoy each other. I always knew I had a great family but I really appreciate each one of them now.
Such a memorable day. Jimmy ran that marathon like it was just another run but, we all know how difficult and trying it was, truly amazing. What record time, it was like Jimmy had run marathon's all his life, such a natural.
We are all so greatful that we were part of that day, it's something I will never forget and I wouldn't of missed it for the world. I am so glad I had shared that time with Jimmy and Dennis.
We miss you Dennis. You and Jimmy are truly amazing.
Dennis and Jimmy had such a strong tight bond. There is nothing they would not do for one another. Their loyalty toward one another was truly remakable- Both upstanding men! I bet Jimmy's heart is so heavy with pain and always will be. It's bad enough to lose your brother, but he also lost his best friend. My thoughts are with you Jimmy- knowing how much you hurt. Dennis loved you and is definitely looking down at you as proud as ever for always watching out for him, sticking by his side, sharing his thoughts and most importantly, being his friend. What an amazing brother you were to Dennis.
Jimmy, I can't even imagine the depth of your pain. Us 5 girls are as close as sisters get, even closer I think, but we are 5...you and Dennis had just eachother. You two were one in the same. I am so proud to be your sister and to see you keep it together for Ma&Dad, all of us, Kathy & your boys, Jodi & the girls. We know how broken you are and that hurts us all so much. I'm so thankful that you are finding the strength, the courage and the desire to remain an upbeat, positive, focused person, despite such deep sorrow. You know that's what Dennis wants and we all know how much you love your kids~so much that you would never shortchange them. They have a great Dad and we have a great brother, son and uncle. We all are so proud of you and we love you so much.
As I think of the Marathon coming up, of course I am thinking of Dennis and Jimmy - and Jane's comments about joking. I told this story at Jodi and Dennis house after the funeral and we all got a much needed good laugh - because it was typical Dennis. When Dennis told me why Jimmy was running the Marathon, he mentioned that he needed help to get an official Marathon number, which I guess were hard to come by. I called some of my contacts at City Hall who were glad to help. I emailed Dennis and told him to forward me Jimmy's "personal info". Of course Dennis did not miss the chance for a good joke. He emailed me back and bulleted for me Jimmy's full name, address, date of birth, etc. On the last line, he also included the bullet "Jock Size - Extra Small". Having not read the email Dennis sent me, I just forwarded it along to the Mayor's Office who submitted it to the BAA Marathon Committee. I did not realize the extent of the "personal info" that was even in there until I got an email back saying that it might have included much more "personal info" than was needed. Classic Dennis!
Well said Kelli.....Though it can be said for a lot of siblings- the closeness etc, nobody truly knows the heartache of losing that lifelong sibling/best friend that you grew up with side by side, day by day until you are knee deep in the experience. I can definitely speak from experience. We are all lucky to have strong sibling bonds and even luckier that most can still speak of them. Jimmy can only speak of his memories. He is probably lost without his sidekick. Their childhood was amazing and one was never seen without the other. Even into their adulthood- It stayed strong. Chatting on the phone, hanging out, playing sports together, and just being so trusting of one another and going into business together.....most of this speaks for itself. Two AMAZING men.
What Jimmy did to honor his brother was remarkable. When he first announced in June 2006 that he was going to do this- I remember thinking to myself - Is he joking (Jimmy and Dennis were always joking with each other so I thought it might be a joke). Then he started training and Jodi would give me updates of how he was running through the cold winter. How he would run from his house to their house or all the way to Topsfield to his parents. I was so impressed with his determination but knowing how close they were it should not have surprised me. I know from stories that when Jimmy was in the hospital years back- Dennis was there for him. The relationship they had is just what I have with Jodi. More than a sister, a best friend, a person who just gets you without even having to explain anything you do. I used to laugh when there would be a football game on and Dennis was at my house..Jimmy would call him or vice versa after every play. Jodi and I have done the same thing for years only with the Grammys or Academy Awards. They would be on and at every single commercial we would be on the phone. Dennis used to watch the shows with her and after a few years he would start calling during commercials making his own hysterically funny comments. I guess where I am going with this is that Jimmy and Dennis had an incredible bond that I really can relate to. I can already see the bond Alana, Elise & Mia have with each other and it is so comforting to watch. Dennis wanted his girls to be close and they are. You & Jodi have set great examples for them. Missing you more Den Love Jane
Jane, I agree 100% with everything you have said and I am so touched by what you wrote. I feel extremely lucky to have a sister like you. You are so much more than just a sister. You were there for me and the girls and Dennis through all the good and bad times. I have never met two brothers as close as Dennis and Jimmy and think it is so important that my girls are just as close. I can already see the bond they have and I know that was so important to Dennis. Seeing the bond we have how could my girls not be close? I can still hear Dennis and Jimmy and you and me on our cell phones talking at every commercial break. They were usually watching a football game and us as you said probably some Grammy or Academy award show. Dennis of course would end up getting into the mix and commenting on our shows. He always had the best and funniest comments. Missing Dennis these days is unbearable. I never thought you could miss someone as much as I miss him. I don't believe in much these days but I hope there is a hereafter and maybe will all be together again. Wouldn't that be great. Love and miss you so much Dennis, Jodi oxox
9 comments:
What an amazing day, it's almost a year already! I don't think any of us, including Dennis thought he would be gone just a few months later. Not to sound corny but, count your blessings and try to enjoy each other. I always knew I had a great family but I really appreciate each one of them now.
You are so welcome, I wish I had more.
Such a memorable day. Jimmy ran that marathon like it was just another run but, we all know how difficult and trying it was, truly amazing. What record time, it was like Jimmy had run marathon's all his life, such a natural.
We are all so greatful that we were part of that day, it's something I will never forget and I wouldn't of missed it for the world. I am so glad I had shared that time with Jimmy and Dennis.
We miss you Dennis. You and Jimmy are truly amazing.
Love Rhonda (cousin)
Dennis and Jimmy had such a strong tight bond. There is nothing they would not do for one another. Their loyalty toward one another was truly remakable- Both upstanding men! I bet Jimmy's heart is so heavy with pain and always will be. It's bad enough to lose your brother, but he also lost his best friend. My thoughts are with you Jimmy- knowing how much you hurt. Dennis loved you and is definitely looking down at you as proud as ever for always watching out for him, sticking by his side, sharing his thoughts and most importantly, being his friend. What an amazing brother you were to Dennis.
Jimmy, I can't even imagine the depth of your pain. Us 5 girls are as close as sisters get, even closer I think, but we are 5...you and Dennis had just eachother. You two were one in the same.
I am so proud to be your sister and to see you keep it together for Ma&Dad, all of us, Kathy & your boys, Jodi & the girls. We know how broken you are and that hurts us all so much. I'm so thankful that you are finding the strength, the courage and the desire to remain an upbeat, positive, focused person, despite such deep sorrow. You know that's what Dennis wants and we all know how much you love your kids~so much that you would never shortchange them. They have a great Dad and we have a great brother, son and uncle. We all are so proud of you and we love you so much.
Kelli
xoxo
Jimmy will always continue to have Dennis' back and Dennis' best interest at heart....a lifetime promise.
As I think of the Marathon coming up, of course I am thinking of Dennis and Jimmy - and Jane's comments about joking. I told this story at Jodi and Dennis house after the funeral and we all got a much needed good laugh - because it was typical Dennis. When Dennis told me why Jimmy was running the Marathon, he mentioned that he needed help to get an official Marathon number, which I guess were hard to come by. I called some of my contacts at City Hall who were glad to help. I emailed Dennis and told him to forward me Jimmy's "personal info". Of course Dennis did not miss the chance for a good joke. He emailed me back and bulleted for me Jimmy's full name, address, date of birth, etc. On the last line, he also included the bullet "Jock Size - Extra Small". Having not read the email Dennis sent me, I just forwarded it along to the Mayor's Office who submitted it to the BAA Marathon Committee. I did not realize the extent of the "personal info" that was even in there until I got an email back saying that it might have included much more "personal info" than was needed. Classic Dennis!
Well said Kelli.....Though it can be said for a lot of siblings- the closeness etc, nobody truly knows the heartache of losing that lifelong sibling/best friend that you grew up with side by side, day by day until you are knee deep in the experience. I can definitely speak from experience. We are all lucky to have strong sibling bonds and even luckier that most can still speak of them. Jimmy can only speak of his memories. He is probably lost without his sidekick. Their childhood was amazing and one was never seen without the other. Even into their adulthood- It stayed strong. Chatting on the phone, hanging out, playing sports together, and just being so trusting of one another and going into business together.....most of this speaks for itself. Two AMAZING men.
What Jimmy did to honor his brother was remarkable. When he first announced in June 2006 that he was going to do this- I remember thinking to myself - Is he joking (Jimmy and Dennis were always joking with each other so I thought it might be a joke). Then he started training and Jodi would give me updates of how he was running through the cold winter. How he would run from his house to their house or all the way to Topsfield to his parents. I was so impressed with his determination but knowing how close they were it should not have surprised me. I know from stories that when Jimmy was in the hospital years back- Dennis was there for him. The relationship they had is just what I have with Jodi. More than a sister, a best friend, a person who just gets you without even having to explain anything you do. I used to laugh when there would be a football game on and Dennis was at my house..Jimmy would call him or vice versa after every play. Jodi and I have done the same thing for years only with the Grammys or Academy Awards. They would be on and at every single commercial we would be on the phone. Dennis used to watch the shows with her and after a few years he would start calling during commercials making his own hysterically funny comments. I guess where I am going with this is that
Jimmy and Dennis had an incredible bond that I really can relate to. I can already see the bond Alana, Elise & Mia have with each other and it is so comforting to watch.
Dennis wanted his girls to be close and they are.
You & Jodi have set great examples for them.
Missing you more Den
Love Jane
Jane, I agree 100% with everything you have said and I am so touched by what you wrote. I feel extremely lucky to have a sister like you. You are so much more than just a sister. You were there for me and the girls and Dennis through all the good and bad times. I have never met two brothers as close as Dennis and Jimmy and think it is so important that my girls are just as close. I can already see the bond they have and I know that was so important to Dennis. Seeing the bond we have how could my girls not be close? I can still hear Dennis and Jimmy and you and me on our cell phones talking at every commercial break. They were usually watching a football game and us as you said probably some Grammy or Academy award show. Dennis of course would end up getting into the mix and commenting on our shows. He always had the best and funniest comments. Missing Dennis these days is unbearable. I never thought you could miss someone as much as I miss him. I don't believe in much these days but I hope there is a hereafter and maybe will all be together again. Wouldn't that be great. Love and miss you so much Dennis, Jodi oxox
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