Thursday, October 9, 2008

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Healing Begins, Prayers Sent


This is a picture of the Tamarack pine in our front yard. We hung the flags last weekend to continue sending prayers in Ray's name.

The celebration of Ray's life is beginning to take shape. We will meet at Sangha Cafe & Market in Takoma Park, MD, near our home. Ray loved to attend jazz concerts at this non-traditional venue, known to many in the WPFW listening area. We will have live music, a spiritual send-off for Ray, and light refreshments. The party begins at 6 PM on Saturday, September 23rd.

Be sure to check out the Washington Post Obituary from Sunday Aug 13. It is a great article, with a picture of Ray on the front page of the Metro section, with the full article on page C9. Wow... what a guy!

Friday, August 4, 2006

Mission Accomplished








We want to thank you for all of your prayers and love that have been directed toward Ray during this difficult diagnosis. It is our belief that those prayers were the wind that kept Ray afloat and able to fulfill our goal: to live life fully and embrace the journey. Wednesday morning, August 2nd, he was on the radio, came home, met Tieku who brought him one of the locks of his hair that traveled to Ghana, enjoyed the day fully, and began his lift-off preparation around 7 PM. Then 24 hours later with very little pain and discomfort, our dream came true: death came in like a gentle wave and Ray rode it out smiling, knowing there was a spot in the circle of warriors waiting for him on the other side. He wanted me to remind you that if you need him or his wisdom, it is now more accessible to you.

The celebration of Ray's life is being planned for Saturday, September 23rd, 11 AM, close to home. Details will be forthcoming.

Love, light and laughter, Noe

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Update August 2nd


Ray is currently resting surrounded by loving friends.  He has been having some trouble breathing since last night.  Noerena asks that everyone send prayers and thoughts for his peaceful transition.

Monday, July 17, 2006

July 17 update

Good news! Mr. Whitfield has continued to exceed all expectations and break timeline records, and his quality of life is great! As evident in the attached pictures, Ray has continued to practice his lifelong avocation of photography. It is truly a team effort: Noe designs the garden (with help from Sylvia and Matt!) and Ray takes the pictures with the help of Chelsea's tripod.  (Thanks, everyone!)

N.B. Don't miss this Thursday's live broadcast of Ray's one-hour criminal justice special: Crossroads: Where Criminal and Social Justice Meet.  WPFW.org 11 AM, July 20th.

Ray was well enough last week to journey into Maryland with sister-in-law Sandy and Noe at the outdoor cafe with a European feel right here in Silver Spring!

Noe and Ray thank Helen, our dear friend and chronicler, for the ongoing updates.

Sunday, July 2, 2006

July 1st Update

The past few weeks have been full of visits from friends and family, including a "spontaneous" open-house where 65 people came to get and give hugs to Ray. We are considering installing a revolving door on the front so that people don't bump into each other as they come and go!

 

We celebrated Ray’s final radiation treatment. Staff at the hospital were particularly happy because the journey for our Urban Warrior has been smooth sailing … he continues to break expectations as he walks through this experience displaying very few side effects. The man is truly a warrior and all of us who are watching this closely continue to use the word miracle to describe his ability to remain positive and fully active in his personal and professional worlds.

 

One of the attached pictures is Ray at our favorite radio station, WPFW 89.3 FM, one of the Pacifica Stations. The station is member owned and in DC, covers current events and plays powerful music including what we call American Classical Music: Jazz.

Ray has been producing public interest shows for WPFW for over twenty five years, his first series was called INSIDE OUT, a prison reform talk show format for inmates to call in to the station.

 

Recently he developed and produced CrossRoads: Where Criminal and Social Justice Meet, an hour long public interest monthly series focusing on issues of public safety and justice.

 

Thanks for your continued love, support and positive vibrations.  Keep 'em coming!

Love, Noe

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Progressions

As we enjoy this full moon Sunday, we are filled with gratitude and love for the emails, letters, support, cards and good wishes from those who know and love Ray. Chemo treatments have ended and we are halfway through the radiation cycle, which seems to be working well.  It has its yin and yangs, as Ray says. 

Above, enjoy our pictures of the progression from fully locked to trimmed and streamlined as a product of our hair-cutting ceremony.  As some would expect, after Noerena cut Ray's locks, his favorite phrase was: "Turnabout is fair play!"  And Ray got busy with the scissors.

The Welcome Revolving Door has friends coming and going, as we spend time laughing, crying, and honoring the amazing journey this warrior is traveling. Talking about the many things of interest to us and very little about the disease which we can do nothing about, except give our prayers and thoughts. This week Abby was in from Florida to inspire us with a re-newed commitment to eat well and walk long!

This week we had the opportunity to attend a performance by Patty Reese (pattyreese.com) at Out of the Way Cafe in Maryland.  Our friend Patty rocked us through the evening and specially dedicated "At Last My Love Has Come Along" for us.