Keeping you in my thoughts. We met for the first time at the first Idaho Fish In.
Jeff
on the Wallawalla and beyond.
John
All the very best.
For friends and family may your memory be for a blessing.
That’s GrayGhost on the right everyone.
Geez Gray, i was upset but as i read along i realized your bravery and grace as some have mentioned. How long will you be in that area, just the 23rd and 24th? Sending you a pm too. Seed House Tavern sounds good.
George
GrayGhost don’t you dare just give up … I dont know you Sir but I have read some of your posts and you seem like a Kind and careing person.
My best wishes and prayers go to you and yours from west Texas.
Keep your positive emotions in check and you will for sure feel better.
i’d say be cool but you are cool! travel light and far and rest at the end of the journey.
Ray,
We have never met, but I feel I know GreyGhost a little from FAOL and Westfly. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ray,
It saddens me that it has come to this. I am still holding out that our prayers will work. I hope you have the best of times on your fishing trip. Peace!
Ray, this is a true story and I hope it brings you some comfort.
I drowned in 1971. I was involved in a challenge with another guy to see who could swim the furthest underwater in our apartment complex’s swimming pool. I did one length, got as far back as the rope dividing the shallow end from the deep end, grabbed the rope, stood up and took a deep breath.
I was suddenly in a deep and dark space, floating towards a diffuse far away light. Puffs of pastel colors came out like muted fireworks in the space around me. Strange, but beautiful and comforting “music” played. I was totally at peace and comfortable. It was a very pleasant experience! I was looking forward to arriving wherever I was going on this strange trip.
Then I started to be annoyed as my journey began to be interrupted and I was pulled back from that light. I really wanted to see the source of the light and to continue.
Then I came to, spitting and coughing up water as my underwater race opponent pumped water out and oxygen in as I lay on the concrete by the side of the pool.
I later learned that you will pass out if you totally deplete all oxygen in your body and then take a deep breath. And I heard how, when the bystanders saw me stand up and take a deep breath and then fall face down and floating in the water, they initially thought I was joking. It took some time for them to realize I wasn’t.
A few years later I read about another person’s near-death experience and it was so close to mine that it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I have no idea if I was truly floating through space towards a better place or if this is just what the brain displays to you as you die. I do know, though, that I have never feared death since that day.
Enjoy the heck of every day you have left. Tell your loved ones how much you love them and let them do the same to you. Cherish good memories. Take pride in the good things you have done. Do not fear death!
Ray,
Safe journey over the next few weeks and beyond. We will miss you.
jed
Prayers for you and your family
This message took me so aback when I first opened this morning, I couldn’t even begin to respond. I don’t know that I’m much better now.
Ray, I’m so sorry to hear of your cancers ugly advance. I want to thank you for all the years of news on the fishing end, great advise, and general loving kindness you have given us. We’ve all grown through you. Hit that bucket list, and hit it hard! My love and prayers are with you. Gods loving arms are around you. Peace.
Ray,
I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, we’ll all get to meet up again some day and swap lies and flies on a very special stream.
Scott
Ray,
Unfortunately I’ve not known you too well on this board but hearing sad news like this is incredibly reaching. I can’t tell you how sad I feel for you.
Know this, I wish all the peace and tranquility in the days you have left with us. I’m not a praying man Ray but I have a faith that you’ll be well taken care of and in loving peace. This is just the beginning.
Bless you and I hope you have the most wonderful time out on this upcoming fishing trip. Stand tall, Ray. Stand tall.
Jeremy.
I am very sorry to hear this news. Willkeep you in our prayers.
Rick
What an odd blessing it must seem, to write the final pages with full knowledge that your post script will be penned in the fading light of your last candle. Carpe diem my friend, the lilies will not wait.
Please, take my mother fishing when you get there…God Bless you.
God bless you and your family. The wings of angels will take you home.
It’s always hard to say good-bye. Sometimes even so long is hard. We pass this way but once and during our sojourn we touch the lives of others in ways that we may not even realize. From the numerous posts here you have touched the lives of many people in very positive ways. The Ladyfisher and I keep you in our prayers, and pray that you know the One who saves when this fragile thing we call life comes to an end. May God grant you an extension of days and when He calls you may you leave this earth and find eternal peace with Him.
The Chronicler and The Ladyfisher
God bless you Ray. See you on the other side some day.
Jim