A Dream Vacation, Shaped by a Devastating Diagnosis

I think I began crying at the first sentence. My father died of brain cancer almost 15 years ago. He was an evangelical Christian and believed that he would be healed, so he never faced his mortality. I wish I had been bold enough to ask him to share what he wanted me to know about him, about life, but I was a coward. Your children are so fortunate. I can tell how much you love them and they will forever be grateful for your honesty about your illness and for sharing yourself with them. Wishing you and yours love and peace, and more dusks.

Beautiful...love to you and your family.

I have no doubt whatsoever that with such a paternal example, Mr. Stathopulos' children will honor the example of such a Stoic, yet joyful father every day of their lives.

Every ALS patient I encounter is positive for an infection with Borrelia Burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) when properly tested (not CDC). CDC testing erroneously excludes this diagnosis and is NOT valid. This infection can cured with appropriate antibiotics resulting in stabilizing the manifestations of ALS. ALS = Neuroborreliosis Neuroborreliosis = ALS BTY - Lou Gehrig had a home in Lyme,Ct. He enjoyed outdoor gardening - Tick exposure !!!

Peter, A simply wonderful expression of life. A long way from the hockey rinks of our youth. You’ve a beautiful family. I think your kids are as proud of you as you are of them...

ALS is known as LOU GEHRIG'S disease. Prior to playing baseball for the NY Yankees Lou Gehrig played baseball for the Hartford Senators in Hartford, Ct.- 50 miles from Lyme, Ct. Lou Gehrig liked the area so much he purchased a home in Lyme, Ct. Aside from playing baseball Lou Gehrig's favorite activity was outdoor gardening at his home in Lyme,Ct. Lou Gehrig died of an infection with Borrelia Burgdorferi, Lyme Disease, a Tick Borne Disease. Every ALS victim MUST be properly tested (not CDC) for Borrelia (Lyme Disease). Once the infection is confirmed - treatment with appropriate antibiotics will extinguish the infection and cure the "ALS".

Peter, this piece led me to the one in which you wrote about the Monestary. You have a way with words. I’ve been to Greece and Athens - years ago with my three children - and you conjured up all of it so well. Thank you for choosing to share your experience (and thanks to your children for their willingness, too). I especially appreciate your candor because my husband (also from Minnesota) is living with terminal cancer. Having travelled this road with him, I find it refreshing how factually you’ve embraced your diagnosis. That false hope you mentioned in your other piece is such a Siren; good for you for turning away and living so fully while you can. I hope your transition, when it does come, is a peaceful one. In the meantime, I’ll be following you — I’m curious how you’re going to write that ending.

Thank you for sharing this beautifully written love letter to your children. They are blessed to have you, as indeed you are equally blessed. We, strangers to all of you, are deeply grateful that you have shared such a poignant memory with us.

Thank you Peter, wish I could give you a big hug.The most important legacy for parents is not wealth,a name on the face of a building ,not even being President.It's instilling in our children the values that you so nobly espouse.My father was a simple,kind man of modest means.My son is raising two wonderful and responsible daughters.My daughter is a dedicated special education teacher .Rest assured,your children will make you proud.This from an 82 year old grandfather

blessings on you for a lovely essay. I lived in Athens for a brief magical time with my father and mother many many years ago, and the streets will always be haunted with their happy memories. Thank you so much for bringing so much back.

Peter, I had an Uncle who had ALS. He was the most loving wonderful beloved man I have ever know. Somehow I think reading the essay and comments there is a common thread in the kindness, thoughtfulness of lives well lived in those with this experience in common. Can you maybe get into the trial in Boston at MGH ? Sounds promising. God bless you. Thank you for sharing this with me.

Yasu, Peter! Nice story, and I loved how you described Athens, complete with flowers spilling from cracked planters, etc. I feel that travel (esp to other countries/cultures) is one of the best gifts one can give to their children. Signed, an honorary Greek in Astoria ;-)

Thank you SO much, Peter. You have given a precious gift to your children for the rest of their lives, and to all of us, too!

You brought tears to my eyes, Peter. Such a beautiful piece. I too have children- a son (8) and a daughter (4). "My hopes are all for them, my love for them, my joy of watching them is what makes me want to live longer on this earth." - I know exactly what you mean. I wish you well.

You made me cry, Peter, you made me cry! I wish you, your children, entire family and friends, well. My wish is for you to write another article of "survival" in five years... I wish you well!

Peter, check out Grateful- the Jenni Berebitsky story . Best wishes to you and your family: https://vimeo.com/274881288

Godspeed my man...

Peter I too was diagnosed with ALS six months ago at the age of fifty five, coincidentally I have three children as well my eldest is twenty six and my twins are twenty two. My first inclination when I found out back in May was to go “home” to Greece. I’m so glad you and you’re beautiful children went. Your words brought back memories of my trip with my kids to the same spot ten years ago. I hope your journey and mine continue be filled with joyous times with our loved ones. Καλό ταξίδι.

Job well done on raising great kids and showing them the meaning of life.

That we could all only live as though we had two years left, after all some of us have far less (or of course more) but we don't know it. Thank you Peter for reminding me to live today.

Sunrise, sunset...thank you, Peter Stathopoulos, for your paean to your children and to your life, for telling us of your diagnosis of ALS and "A Dream Vacation". The dream of Athens yesterday (Socrates, stumbling!), today and tomorrow suffuses your words. We smile and weep as we read of your life. And feel the joy of your children who will accompany you only partway on your penultimate journey.

Mr. Stathopoulos, sipping my morning coffee in foggy, chilly Eugene, Oregon, your beautifully descriptive writing brought me with you to Athens. I can only imagine the joy you gave your children during your Grecian journey together. God's peace be with you and them as you travel onward.

Peace be with you, this day, and always...

What a beautiful piece. Peter, have you been tested for Lyme disease? The symptoms can mimic ALS.

My father also died of Lou Gehrig's disease. He not only showed me so much about living, he died with such courage and dignity, his footsteps away from this life are the path I hope to follow, though I doubt I could ever find the strength and grace I witnessed in him every step of the way. I slept on a couch next to the wood stove in the room where he slept for the last month of his life. That time is more precious to me than I could have ever imagined and I now wish I could have known then how much it would mean to me. You are giving your children a gift they will cherish forever. My thoughts are with you and your family.

What a wonderful, atmospheric and tragic piece. Thank you, thank you. We will all follow you into the sunset.

That's tough news. I'm sorry you have to go through this. It is so obvious how much you love your children.

Mr. Stathopoulos, a wonderful moment in time with your family shared with us. Very best wishes to you and your children.

I’m very thankful that you and your children had this marvelous experience, together. Be assured, they will treasure it their entire lives. Best wishes.

Thank you, Mr. Stathopolis.

There is nothing more important than being a good parent. You should find great comfort in being what sounds like a great father.

One of my brothers is seventy eight, and has had ALS for seven years - he can still walk, but generally uses a wheelchair, and uses an iPad to "speak", but has a wonderfully meaningful life with his more than lovely wife. He has always been the most gracious person on earth, and that spirt continues to dominate his life.

My husband told our two daughters-ages 27 and 18 years before Christmas of 2015, that he had ALS. How can it be possible to prepare for a terminal disease, when, also as a father, you want to protect your children-your legacy and let them know that their lives will still be filled with love, joy, hope and purpose? I now believe that a heroes journey is possible. Be honest and open with your children, let them be a part of your experiences and embrace every nanosecond that you can -with abundant love for them and for yourself. We feel lucky today- my husband is still working and still driving all over New England. Our, NEW normal routine feels oddly comfortable. He has been part of a clinical trial at MGH for years, where he was the first person to receive a monthly therapy- via a lumbar puncture -to turn off the SOD1 gene which causes his ALS. The team at MGH gives us the boundless hope and knowledge that they are more confident today about the availability of new treatments and drugs to slow or reverse the progression of ALS. Participating several days each month in this clinical trial, is his lasting gift of love-to our daughters. Thank you Peter, for your courage to write this loving and difficult essay. It has moved me deeply. Today, I am sending to you and your family-a warm embrace and hope from another traveler in this ALS journey.

A profoundly moving story, and the best example of how life-long memories are made.

Thank you for this, Mr. Stathopolous. (Hope I spelled that right.) I hope your children have learned much from you, including dignity, humanity and love. I also hope that they realize what an awesome dad they have.

At 80, and blessed with good health, I find myself often frustrated with a set of preferences granted to my only 8 years old granddaughter by her mother - my daughter. Spending time with my G.D. has become next to last on the scale, notwithstanding how rewarding it always turns out for both of us. It is the generation of 'the protective upbringing', as Simon Sinek has called. Always keep your child happy by granting her wish. Lots of extracurriculars, lots of friends and 'sleepovers'. G. parents come last. What memories will she has built into her personality by the time I am gone? Unlike Peter, and at 80, I do not raise the issue of my short longevity. Do not "Put my Foot Down". Should I ? ("Knowing the Question, is Like Having Half of an Answer".)

Mr. Stahopoulos took steps to overlook his progressive disease and change it into a positive learning experience for his children to remember, rather than dwell on the negative. Self-pity, gloom and doom can be all consuming, but the author chose to leave all negativity behind while bequeathing precious memories. Hopefully, some others facing similar circumstances can benefit from the author's experience, if they're willing and able, and focus on creating enjoyable memories for their loved ones to remember - while there's still time.

Peter Stahopoulos, you've found beauty, wisdom, purpose, humor, and joy within your own Greek tragedy. Thank you so very much for this heartfelt, articulate essay, a reminder to live every day as fully as possible while we are still in this theater we call life.

Took me back. Put me there and then so much more. You wrote beautifully. I feel you will live longer than you think and even if the days dont mount up to an many, many more tn presumed ot what I wish, your spirit and soul have already lived far beyond what so many of us would gladly want if we only knew how and what to live for. Onwards.

Thank you so much. All who are privileged to read your beautiful essay wish you and your beautiful children the very best. They are lucky to know their Greek heritage.

I had a huge knot in my throat reading this. It still hurts writing this, Peter. You love your kids and they love you back, and they will continue to love you throughout their lives. It will get deeper and richer with each year. How do I know this? I'm the child of my beloved father who is 93 and an ocean separates us for the last 30 years since I live in another country from the one I was born in. Nothing can separate us and that's a fact! I tell him daily how much I love him and how grateful I am to him for all he gave me in life. He spent time with me this summer with my own children. Just to hold his hand and feel him near me meant the world to both of us. A dear friend of mine who was much, much older had ALS. I had written her hundreds of letters during our long and beautiful friendship. Her husband told me that she asked him to read them all to her from the very first one to the very last. Longer than War and Peace! What's the Nobel Prize next to that? Knowing that those letters gave her so much joy and comfort and her heart lived in those lines until the end. There's not one day that passes that she's not here with me inside my heart and soul. Love is just like that. It lives on forevermore. A heart like yours will be carried within them always. You are in them and that's the greatest blessing of being a parent and the greatest joy in love as well. Love to all of you!

Your smile says it all. May you find continued peace and joy in and with your children as you begin your next chapter.

As someone who has lost a brother to ALS, I am fully aware how the small moments, the new curse words and new perspectives are the inevitable and indelible legacy of the missing. They make us laugh and cry and recall what may have seemed a throw-away exchange or uneventful time. They change us. And you have changed your children, just as they have changed you. The Greek ideal of balance as we explore the endless questions. I admire you and trust your children will look back and do the same no matter how uncool you are.

Peter Stathopoulos has taught his children, John, Maria, and Nikos, the best Greek lessons of humanism, rationalism, and idealism. He models for them the balance of yearning for the ideal while being grounded in what is human: live life fully while we can. No city is better positioned than Athens in its marble Parthenon dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena, to show the beauty of harmony, surrounded by the Aegean Sea, Poseidon’s gift to the Greeks. Ultimately, we are all riding the waves to the crimson sunset when our time has come. Enjoy the ride.

I have known several contemporaries who have been snatched away cruelly in their 40s and 50s while their children were just emerging into the big world. Thank you for capturing your experience so beautifully. Having kept close with a couple of the children left behind, I can say that their departed parent's legacy has continued to shape and inspire them through each and every phase of development and maturation. Love to you and your family.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and heartfelt story with us. I wish you comfort and peace on your next journey.