Thinking of Rich on His Birthday…

All I Know*

When the singer’s gone
Let the song go on
It’s a fine line between the darkness and the dawn
They say in the darkest night
There’s a light beyond

But the ending always comes at last
Endings always come too fast
They come too fast, but they pass too slow
I love you, and that’s all I know

For Rich With Love

* Lyrics by Jimmy Webb / Vocals Art Garfunkel

Memorial Day Thought…

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

~ From a headstone in Ireland

The Mackney Warriors Blog Lives On!

While Rich’s journey may have ended, his mission has not. Per Rich’s request, I will continue to keep The Mackney Warriors blog up and active with news, research and interesting tidbits that may just be of benefit to us all.

Everyone’s continued participation on the blog with comments, stories and fond memories of Rich are most definitely welcome today, tomorrow and always. Rich will always stay alive in our collective hearts, and our entire family — my father, siblings, cousins, childhood neighbors and friends — will continue to look forward to learning from all of you of your favorite and heartwarming memories of Rich here on the blog.

Thank you everyone for helping to make The Mackney Warriors blog such a special place to all of us — and especially to Rich.

With sincere gratitude,

Liz Mackney

A Reflection of Rich’s Inner Strength…

While this famous poem is well known by many, it took on a new meaning to me during Rich’s illness. The words are a true reflection of Rich’s focused determination, incredible inner strength, and unwavering spirit.

He truly was the captain of his soul.

I dedicate this to him with love.

Forever his sister,

~ Liz

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley
1849 – 1903
Gloucester, England

The Richard Mackney Scholarship Fund…

At 4:00 pm this Saturday, April 24, 2010 we will be celebrating the life of Richard Stanley Mackney.  Rich attended the Thunderbird School of Global Management and they have graciously honored us by hosting us at the Pub at Thunderbird. A few of Rich’s friends and colleagues will be speaking on his behalf and our family invites anyone who would like to share a favorite memory or anecdote to do so.

Thunderbird has made it easier for anyone wishing to make a donation to the Rich Mackney Scholarship Fund by accepting donations directly (by mail) and offering a tax receipt (also by mail).

Checks can be made payable to:

Thunderbird, School of Global Management

(with “Richard Mackney” in the memo section)

Mailing Address:

Thunderbird, School of Global Management

1 Global Place

Glendale, AZ 85306

Or online at:

https://secure.thunderbird.edu/give.aspx

(Please write “Richard Mackney Scholarship Fund” in the additional instructions section)

Thank you all for the letters, cards and all the kind words that you have shared with our family.

With sincere appreciation,

The Mackney Family

Share Your Favorite Memory…

All of you who have followed Rich’s journey here on the blog come from far and wide. I’ve come to realize that each of you became a part of Rich’s life at different points in time over the years. That got me thinking about the diverse memories we all must have of Rich, long before ALS touched his life.

If you have a funny or fond memory of Rich that you’d like to share here on the blog, please do. I know Rich would be touched and it would mean the world to our family to read about those special times.

On behalf of the entire Mackney family, thank you for the support you have shown all of us during this difficult time and most importantly for having been a part of Rich’s life. He valued each and every one of you.

Thank you,
~ Liz

A Son Shares His Thoughts…

Family and Friends,

It is with a heavy heart and mixed emotion that I must announce the passing of my father, Richard Mackney, last evening.  Sadness, for our loss. Rage for what was taken. Relief, for a conclusion to his suffering.  Happiness for the time I did get.  Pride, in getting to see the best side of our family and friends for going out of their way to do everything possible to help.

My father asked me to pass along to everyone the great appreciation our family has for all that everyone has done to help our family both personally and in our fundraising efforts. We could not have come as far as we did without it. Every gesture, however large or small seeming, helped in making my father as comfortable as possible during his two year battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).  The past two weeks were especially unkind to my father but we were connected to Hospice of the Valley and they have been absolutely phenomenal in lending comfort and support.

Per my father’s request, he had no desire, no need, no want for a funeral or a heavy service. In lieu of that, we will be holding a service at Thunder Bird (my father’s school). The people that came out to my father’s fundraisers and the celebratory tone that was struck there meant the world to him. Granted, this will be an inherently more somber occasion but my dad would rather be celebrated. As of yet, the date has not been worked out but I will be sure to let everyone know.

You may call the house and speak with myself or Lindsey but we would also ask your understanding that we would prefer no unannounced drop-by visits.  I am happy to field any questions and you may email me directly, but please bear with me if my correspondence is less than timely.

Forever Rich Mackney’s son,
Keith

Day after musings…

In the earlier part of a boy’s life, “Dad” is likened to “Superhero.”  Playground conversations can segue into ‘my dad can beat up your dad’ as, in his mind, each boy’s father is the strongest man in the world.  Well, at over two hundred pounds, towering at six foot four inches and with my height being closer to the ground, my dad was.  Biggest, strongest man in the world.  Ever.  Knew everything.  Answer any question.  Fix anything himself.  Powerful stare.  And I mean powerful.  One look from him and I would start confessing things.  Even if I wasn’t up to mischief I would just start giving details about whatever I was doing until I was granted reprieve from the stare.

Next part is different.  I’m thirteen. Dad doesn’t know anything and rides me all the time.  Seems to have a personal stake in embarrassing me in front of my friends.  Constantly dishing out a ridiculous amount of chores and responsibility around the house.  It’s Saturday and I have the right to sleep in as late as I want  because, well… I just do.  Not this Saturday.  This Saturday is 6:00 am carpet shampooing followed by landscaping all day.  Dad.  Son.  Butting heads.  Disdain.  Friction.  In his presence, I no longer find comfort.

I’m eighteen.  I’m free.

I’m older. Past being a kid.  Don’t feel like an adult yet.  Dad’s smart.  Pretty smart, actually.  Not knowing anything applies to me, now.  Dad knows a lot.  I have a lot of life questions again and I need help with stuff.  He doesn’t have the answer to everything but the answers he does have come from life experience.  No rhetoric.  Wisdom from experience.  It’s valuable.  Another thing, everything that used to drive me crazy, all the chores, all the lessons I didn’t care about before… well, I didn’t realize it at the time but dad was giving me skill sets.  I know how to work hard and will never starve because of it.  I can change a tire.  I can do laundry.  I can stay calm during an emergency.  And importantly, I can figure out how to figure things out.

Dad’s sick.  Diagnosed. I have grown to the size of my father and it helps me take care of him. I now have a finite timeline with my father.  We have a lot of conversations.  Life, triumph, fear, responsibility, love and family.  These memories are for me.  Our words are exchanged as equals but I’m back to looking at him wide-eyed.  My dad could never lift a tank.  He was never able to fly.  To my knowledge, no x-ray vision.  But after watching him go through what he went through and taking care of his family while fighting this God awful disease with the force he did…

I’m back to being a kid.  My dad is a super hero.

And if I may… he could probably beat up your dad.

In Loving Memory…

Our Beloved Rich

In Loving Memory of my brother Rich, who was called to heaven last night. You fought the good fight and showed us all tremendous strength and courage. I know you are at peace now. I love you today, tomorrow and always.

Thank you to everyone who has shown their support to Rich, Ilana, Keith and Lindsey, as well as to our entire family during these last 16 months. My entire family will be forever grateful for your kindness, thoughtfulness and dedication.

Rich loved you all.

With sincere gratitude,

Liz Mackney