Lavin

Life's Journeys

1997, he became a Hospice
volunteer. He brings a unique
understanding and compassion
to others struggling with loss,
particularly to men.
"My job," he explains,"is to
acknowledge hoW tough it is to
endure caregiving, dying and
grieving." These visits, in turn,
often lead to more poetry, such
as a recent commentary about
86-year-old Abe:

"You might ask how I could
know so much

writing became a journal, focusing
on three periods in the times
ahead — caregiving, saying good-
bye, and grieving and hope.
The writings — some in prose
but most in verse — express his
reactions during Patty's illness
and death. There are pages of
despair and pages of hope. But
Ron is never maudlin, just grate-
ful that writing about these diffi-
cult times relieved his pain.
One poem, "Pretty Lady," is a
tribute to Nancy Griffith, one of
our home health aides. Ron
wrote: "Nancy called my Patty,
`Pretty Lady,' and that I will never
forget." In his poem, Ron calls
Nancy an angel for reminding
Patty that her beauty and dignity
endured despite her weakened
body.
Indeed, even after Patty's death,
Ron did not forget Hospice of
Michigan. Instead, in November

about a man I have just
recently met.

I can tell you quite simply
that he is the center of
so much good

That it takes no time at all

For another to see it and
marvel at it."

We at Hospice marvel at that
same good within Ron Gries.
Inspired by these words by Elie
Wiesel," Whoever survives a test,
whatever it may be, must tell the
story. That is his duty," he pub-
lished his book, Through Death
to Life. All proceeds from the book
are directed to cancer research
and Hospice of Michigan. Ron's
book is available through
Amazon.com .
For more information about
our Jewish Hospice Program,
please call Bobbie Blitz at 248-
253-2580, ext. 4543.

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Sports

A message from Dottie Deremo,
President/CEO, Hospice of Michigan

Celebrating life at the end of the journey

ii 114 eal men don't cry."
This belief has waned in
recent years; films such as
"Brian's Song" remind us that the
strongest of men express their
grief with tears. Men no longer .
feel they must hide behind a
facade of stoicism.
At Hospice of Michigan, we
have also seen men become gen-
tle, patient, sensitive caregivers
of the terminally ill. Often they
are surprised at the new and dif-
ferent strengths they find within
themselves.
No one has been more articu-
late about this transition than
Ron Gries, one of our most
dedicated volunteers. Ron has
become an invaluable resource
for our Oakland team and has
acquired a spirituality that
transcends individual faiths.
When Ron's beloved wife, Patty,
was diagnosed with cancer in
1983, he embarked on a journey
of discovery. For a time, Patty's
cancer had been in remission,
and the couple had made plans
for a retirement home in North
Carolina. But in 1993, they learned
that treacherous lymph nodes
had spread the cancer.
Soon after this setback, Ron
enrolled in a community educa-
tion creative writing course. He
He found putting his thoughts on
paper brought comfort. In 1995,
he retired from a 37-year career
with Goodyear Tire Co. to become
Patty's full-time caregiver. The

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283(X) Orchard Lake Rd.
Suite 101
1/ i Milo N. of 12 Mile Rd.
800.914-3524

Troy
1917 East 13te: Beaver Rd.
At. John R. Rd.
Next to Start )t icks Aix'
248.619-0264

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North 48 Mile Rd.
Next to the Novi Hilton
888.437-8243

BB Basketball
Season Starts

The 27th season of the B'nai B'rith
Basketball League begins the second
week of January.
Games will be held Sunday mornings
at Walled Lake Central High School.
Players must join or be B'nai B'rith
members. Interested players or teams
can call Marty Melton,(248) 921-1539.

Bowling Scores

B'nai B'rith Morgenthau L'Chayim/Zeiger-
Gross
Dec. 17: Steve Hoberman 277/640; Bill
Zucker 214-225/623; Larry Harwin 202-
232/617; Brian Cohen 215/607; Carl Berlin
222-203/605; Bernie Goodstein 211-200;
Lally Garfinkle 237; Sandy Pearlman 224;
Ross Benchik 221; Mark Warshaw 219; Barry
Glazer 214; Jim Boschan 212; Gary Bistrow
210; Allen Klegon 208.
Dec. 10: Larry Harwin 243/628; Jerry Broida
215-216/621; Bill Yaker 202-213/606; Ross
Benchik 221/601; Don Morton 207-224; Bill
Zucker 210-201; Sandy Freeman 224-200;
Steve Hoberman 246; Bernie Goodstein 243;
Brian Cohen 230; Jeff Zamler 221; Larry
Garfinkle 212; Mary Wain 208; Dennis
Sobol 204; Mark Bialick 203; Rob Pliskow
203; Al Yendick 200.

B'nai B'rith Downtown-Fox
Dec. 18: David Little 227/617; Bob Weiss
220-213/603; Kevin Elbinger 231-201;
David Kolb 217-205; Mark Feinberg 236;
David Lazarus 232; Larry Schlussel 223; Steve
Kay 213; Larry Kaplan 213; Ron Jacobs 211;
Barry Kaufman 210; Sy Zate 203; Murray
Shanbaum 202; Neal Drilich 200; David
Shanbaum 200.
Dec. 11: David Kolb 223-223-214/660;
David Koloff 242-236/658; Steve Kaye 237-
214/649; Gary Siegel 235-200/600; David
Little 233-201; Mark Feinberg 221-205;
Randy Smith 214-205; Neal Drilich 242;
David Lazarus 225; David Shanbaum 224;
Larry Schlussel 215; David Elbinger 205; Jack
Geer 204; Kevin Elbinger 204; Larry*Kaplan
204; Larry Frommer 201; Jason Shain 200.

B'nai B'rith Pisgah
Dec. 13: Wayne Lusky 257-250-211/718;
Allen Zuppke 235-246-234/715; Keith
Kingston 279-216/692; Andy Rubin 216-
268/668; Mitch Finkel 206-258-205/667;
Mitch Lefton 233-220-212/665; Steve Lusky
223-235-201/659; Ryan Lash 214-255/657;
Steve Elkus 208-249/651; Bryan Levine 226-
218-202/646; Jerry Lash 204-259/644; Lyle
Schaefer 213-221-204/638; Shel Baskin 224-
224/629; Al Blatnikoff 253/629; Seth
Gorback 222-221/619; Mort Friedman 211-
243/612; /Sy Guttman 202-213/606; Barry
Fishman 215-215/603; Bill Zavier 222; Larry
Schechter 207; Greg Schultz 203; Mark
Rosen 256; Shel Rakotz 225; Yale Weiner
227; Jerry Gurwin 248; Barry Bean 216; Bob
Mitchel 226; Rod Brown 220; Al Mudryk
247; Scott Liefer 225-213; Jeff Eisenberg 228;
Aron Weberman 219; Gary Plasko 206.

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