The Ring and the Scar

It's hard to fathom a move from the operating room to the altar in just six short weeks, but it happened and I am grateful to all who assisted beginning with my friends, family and former fiancee for shining their love on me as bright as the Aztec sun.

From a man who could not eat, drink, or walk, to one who twirled his bride and danced around the hall with gin and tonic safely in hand, I commend my lead counsel in the war on Crohn's Disease, Dr. Barry Jaffin, for his patience, sagacity and his showing up at the hospital each morning to check that the right bags were hooked to my arm.

I must thank Dr. Randolph Steinhagen for carving me more delicately than my father does a turkey on Thanksgiving and for bringing the character of Gregory House alive, albeit with more compassion. Kudos to his extraordinary team at Mt. Sinai Medical Center who slept less than I did on the eve of my wedding and to the wonderful nurses for the sights, sounds and smells they endure each day without pause.

I have to thank my colleague, Paul S., for making me laugh when it was hard to laugh with the following inscription in a Get Well card: Hmmm ... Which is more painful - your own wedding or being in the hospital? You will soon find out!

I thank Father Francis Hoffman at Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside, Connecticut, for keeping things cool in critical moments and those who participated in our ceremony for hitting all the marks. You made Claire proud!

To all who attended the wedding, battling the rain and traffic on 95 -- the red sky and impromptu version of The Gambler was for you. Thank you for your generosity, particularly my best man, Ralph, who broke out the worm and, unfortunately, broke his toe. And ...

For Jacqueline Marie

To wed my love,
a chance a bliss
whose odds are fixed
in every kiss

Life and love
held hand in hand,
sparkling in
each wedding band

The shimmering Sound
could not divide,
Family and friends stand
by our side

Worked proved an easy
place to fall in love,
Forever grateful
to the Lord above

- D.W. Dowling