Oh boy….this is a really tough one!

Today is the 4th of July, the celebration of America’s birthday.

The 4th of July was a very important, BIG holiday in my family. Ever since I can remember, every year we had a big, all-day-long holiday celebration with friends and family.

* Getting up early to decorate the house
inside and out,
* A parade in the morning with coffee
and Dunkin’ Donuts,
* A big BBQ in the afternoon with my
Dad always manning the grill, and
* Fireworks in the evening

Always so much fun, never realizing at the time how precious and treasured those days were.

Never could I ever have imagined that soon those days would only be memories.

Missing those days so, so very much. What I wouldn’t give … for just one more time.

Jody loved the 4th of July. The barbecues with family and friends; hot dogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grill; corn on the cob; homemade potato salad; fresh watermelon dribbling down our chins. But, Jody’s favorite thing had to be the 4th of July fireworks display on the East River.

Getting from our home on the west side of northern Manhattan to the east side of midtown Manhattan was always an adventure. A trip on the subway followed by a ride on the crosstown bus was a challenge for someone using a wheelchair, but Jody looked upon it like a commander leading his troops (me) into battle.

We knew there was an area reserved for physically challenged spectators; we headed that way. We found the entry point where the police officers on duty greeted us and led us to the viewing area like visiting dignitaries. Jody basked in the attention. Much to my amazement, we were situated right at the railing at the edge of the water — an unobstructed view.

While we waited for the sun to set and the show to begin, Jody, ever outgoing, chatted up all the others waiting with us in expectation. He always had a natural connection with others who struggled against obstacles that most people couldn’t understand. His natural rapport created a new cast of acquaintances.

Finally, the fireworks show started. I loved to watch Jody’s face as each mortar exploded high above the river. The wide grin on his face, the oohs and aahs, the laugh when a delayed boom caught him by surprise. He watch mesmerized, enraptured by the rainbow of colors overhead. After the grand finale, he whooped and hollered and clapped along with the other spectators. Then, he turned to me and jokingly said: “Home, James.” We fought our way through the crowds and eventually reached home both grateful to have shared another wonderful memory.

Dear Dr. Volodymyr,

You have no idea how much I wish I could tell you this in person. But here we are, and it has been three years since you left us. We are still extremely saddened and our hearts are still broken, while I find myself thinking of you often. How can I not? You were such a healing presence in my and my husband’s life for so many years. Approximately 20 years.

I think about you not only for the amazing healing you have blessed us with, but also for the holistic education you had always instilled in us. Whenever I hear about free radicals, the gut microbiome, detoxification, etc., I always think back to when you were teaching us about this, many years ago. The medical world has finally caught up to you. I always knew you were ahead of your time and current days prove this to be true.

Your tireless dedication to move beyond the symptom and get to the root cause of the dis-ease, has made a world of difference in our healing over the years. This has also taught us that this is actual healing, not what the current medical world practices. I can literally see you now, shaking your head up and down while saying “yes,” as you had done so many times in the past.

You have left such a lasting impression on us with all of your medical knowledge and education. We continue to practice today what you have taught us long ago. We will never forget and always be grateful to you, for all the healing you have given us, as well as everything you have taught us.

You have always gone above and beyond. Not only for us but for all of your patients, as we have witnessed many, many times. We are truly saddened that so much more healing and learning will no longer be experienced, now that you are gone.

Your work here is done now and you are with all the Angels above. You are missed much, much more than you know. You will be forever in our hearts.

Rest in eternal peace, Dr. Volodymyr.

Love always,
Tracey & Frank

We’d go out for a drive to Cliff’s, your favorite homemade ice cream place, Dad. You loved it so much and always looked forward to going there.

You always ordered the same — your favorite ice cream sundae. Hard vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a cherry.

Then it was back to your room to watch TV and reminisce about your past.

What I wouldn’t give. If only … just one more time.

Literally right now, I am sitting here at the hospital waiting for my husband to complete his 2 MRI’s.

ALL the memories and thoughts, ALL of them:

* the drive here
* the parking
* the delicious smell of chocolate from M&M Mars
*. the entrance
*. the cafe
*. the hallway
*. the elevator, etc …

of my Dad are flooding back to me. You see, just over 3 years ago I was bringing my Dad here for his radiation treatments 5 days a week for 6 weeks; until fu***n COVID killed him! He was doing just fine!!

What I wouldn’t give to bring him here again and be with him just one more time.