March 2016 Update

Dearest Steve: I'm sending you calming thoughts and much love, Sherryl

Thinking of you, Wings. Lots of love from Burke and Emily.

Betsy, Ann and Marion, I am so sorry that Steve is going through a rough period. I hope that it is a temporary setback. I'm at the SPH many hours in the day. If we can provide a comfortable place to get away from the hospital for a while or a place to make calls or bring you anything, please let me or Andy Olshan know. My thoughts are with you all and with Steve. Barbara Rimer (text 919-265-7315)

Dear Wing Family... My thoughts and prayers are with you all.... stay strong and may God Bless Steve at this difficult time... Much love, Myra Dotson

Steve, Betsy, Ann, and Marion, Tight Tight HUGS, and lots of LOVE. This shall pass, too, and Steve will feel stronger soon. Sending you all warm thoughts and energy to keep pushing through. Lots and lots of Love, Shabbar and Rebecca

Dear Wings, Sending you much light and love during this difficult time.

So glad to see you at Barbara Lorie's 90th birthday party, Steve and Betsy. Jerry and I are wishing you all strength and love now.

Well,THAT SUCKS! Please forgive my irreverence. My heartfelt thoughts are with all of you as I try to visualize relief for Steve from his symptoms. I had to go look at all your photos again and noticed some new ones of nature and spring. I have one I want to send you from the road, taken while in Louisiana several weeks ago -- a rare (to me) swamp lily of some kind near my campsite deep in the bayou west of NOLA. I don't know how to send it here, but will email or text to Betsy. Love, Jo

Dear Steve and family, so sorry for this set back..we are sending you all our love and support to each of you, envisoning you Steve feeling better and coming home soon. Big hugs, Kim and Lewie

Both of us were delighted to see y'all at the Roadhouse for Barbara's 90th with ZamBamBooGee. We hold you in our hearts during this difficult time. Steve, I hope we get to play music together soon. Love, Joey Howell and Lisa Neal

I interviewed one of your students yesterday, Steve - Mike Fliss. When he mentioned during the interview that he had 'worked with Dr. Steve Wing' I interrupted him and asked that he send along all sorts of good wishes. He's another lucky student who gets to observe and learn from you. He has the equity and social justice bug. And to Betsy and girls and grandbabies, you are a rock solid team. This is not fun right now. Together you can stay focused on what is right in front of you and draw from each other's strength and wisdom. Lots of love from Washington state. We are thinking about you constantly.

You are all in our hearts everyday.

Steve, There are a whole bunch of us in Baltimore sending love and good vibes as you push through this. You're an inspiration to so many people from how you take on abusive industries and fight for the less privileged to how you battle this terrible disease. Keep fighting for all of us! Lance

Dear Steve, What a bummer! Part of the adventure of Life, I guess. May all the positive thoughts being sent your way be the wind beneath you Wings, and may you again fly higher than eagles. Love, hugs, and prayers - Mary w Charles Graf

Please let us know if there's anything y'all need help with! We are just through the woods so anything day or night. I'm sending our love and good vibes

Steve and I think of you every day and have such gratitude for your inspiration, upon which we draw every single day in our work on waste reform. We wish there was something we could do to ease what you are going through -- keep strong and feel all the positive energy that is pulsing toward you from all of us. Nancy (in Bedford).

Dear Betsy, Ann, and Marion - Very sorry about these developments. Steve was a special guest in my class just 6 weeks ago, and he seemed to be fine and his usual lucid self (I have a video of the class and can send you the link if you'd like it; I also have a video interview with him published in YouTube). Steve, whom I've known since he entered the Epidemiology Department, is always on my mind and in my heart. I hope that he and you are able to pull through this latest setback and get back to an enjoyable state. Good luck, and do let me know if I can help in any way. (Is Steve receiving visitors? At UNC-H?) Vic Schoenbach, go.unc.edu/vjs

We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers, hope you have a speedy recovery from this set back and join us on the band stand soon, Miss and love you much Dave

Dearest Steve and family, this is upsetting news. We are pulling strong for you, and the whole family. Making wishes under African stars for you. Love, Hailey and Zach

Dear Steve, News of your setback saddens me, and I wish you the very best as your medical team works on the optimal treatment plan and your support team of family and friends sends our love, admiration, and respect. We were very sorry not to have you able to join us Tuesday and Wednesday for the CLF Roundtable, and all present spoke warmly of you. Bob

Dear Wings.... Steve, Betsy, Ann, Marion, We are sending you such Love and Light, We hold You in our Hearts and Mind every day... Steve missed connecting w/ You at Barbara's party, i saw you briefly while i was still on stage.. Love, Scotty and Diane

So sorry to hear about the setback, it's hard to fight through the barriers of treatment. I enjoyed seeing you and hearing the stories about growing up in New Orleans. My thoughts are with you and I look forward to seeing you again love Naila

Dear Steve and Betsy, Ann and Marion, Our love and thoughts are with you all in this difficult time. We hope you feel much better soon, Steve. We wish you moments of joy and peace during your hospital stay, and a speedy return home. It was so good to see you, Steve and Betsy, at Barbara's 90th party. You all have such beautiful hearts. May they stay wide open in love, in your precious time together. We're there in love with you. Cynthia & Ken

Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion - - you are in my thoughts. Sending love and healing rhythms for Steve. Craig

So hard to hear this news - my heart is with all of you right now, and hope Steve gets home from the hospital very soon.

Dear Steve and family: How challenging this all is! May you be blessed with the stamina to overcome what must be a horribly distressing bump in the road and may you see a return to stable health soon. I am teaching in Taiwan at present and, in a few days, in Vietnam. Social justice is the essence of the message. You remain a great source of inspiration for such lectures! Thinking of you, one and all! With my very best wishes from the Far East! Colin Soskolne

Steve, my friend, my thoughts are with you and your family. I can't wait till you're back on the piano bench with the Stompers where you belong--it's not the same without you! In the meantime, best wishes, and hope you're home soon.

Steve, Betsy, Ann, and Marion - Sending good thoughts and hugs your way. Steve, I hope you feel better and can come home soon. Much love to you all.

Ah, darnit. I am so sorry to hear this news, Steve and Betsy. Sending love. Cat Warren

Steve and the whole Wing family: My family and I send you positive energy and well wishes for strength and improvement. Steve, your name comes up in conversations regularly as a person who inspires; I was recently telling folks how you won the ISEE Research Integrity award and how well deserved it was. Hang in there. Marie O'Neill

Dear Steve and family, I am sending you warm hugs and lots of prayers. Please let us know if you need anything-- food, a baby to snuggle, or anything else that might cheer you. Steve, I hope you will be able to go home soon and be surrounded by your loving family again. You continue to inspire me as I prepare to present about childhood lead poisoning at our Health Equity series at NC DPH. One of your students, Nat MacNell, is letting me borrow his slide on slavery in NC, which overlaps (not surprisingly) with all of the other maps of health issues including lead.

Hi Steve, I just heard about your hospitalization from Vic. I know you are a fighter. Please keep fighting for your family. Natasha and I will continue to pray for you. We are looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks during our visit to UNC. Take care, Sacoby

Betsy and Family: Please know that you all remain in my thoughts and in my prayers. ....and also know that Mom had you all close to her heart and in her prayers, as well. We both are sending healing thoughts your way.

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion - We are deeply sorry that Steve is in such discomfort. No matter how challenging this gets, strength and hope are always within reach. "Stay strong," Steve has been fond of saying to those in distress. We wish the same for all of you. If Steve is at UNC hospitals, you (Betsy and girls) may like to walk the labyrinth, if you haven't already. It can be a very grounding, centering and faith-promoting experience. All our love and prayers are with you! Amy, Chad, Sylvie and Vivian

Dear family, We are sending you much love, walking with you and hugging you tight. Chad Anat Noa Ella and the elder Shaws

Dear Steve, Betsy and Family: my thoughts and prayers are with you as you are going through this rough time. I pray that the best may be done for Steve and that you all may endure these days with hope and peace of mind.

Betsy and Marion: Thanks for the message. I want news about Steve even when it's not as good as I'd like. Give Steve my warm regards from Boulder. I think of him often. Strength and grace, LeRoy

Hi Steve & Family: Prayers and best wishes from Virginia. Rob, the folks at VIMS and the Menagerie at home.

Steve, Sending you all good wishes and holding you in my thoughts and heart. Stand fast. Fondly, Jo Overbey

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion, we are surrounding you all in love, light and healing energy. Keeping you in our thoughts and hearts always and wishing the very best. Steve, hopefully you get exactly what you need to come home, get rest and get well! Gentle hugs to you. Love to you all. Verne and Susan

Sending love and healing thoughts your way! Danielle and Nick

Dear Steve and Betsey and beloved family, I wish and pray for your return to good health. Keep fighting this thing! Lewie Caraganis

Dearest Steve, Betsy, Ann, Marion, we're all sending love, prayers and hugs to all of you at this tough time and pledge any kind of help you might need...we love you all- Jan, Ben and Skyler

Much love to Steve and all the Wings. Thinking of you and sending good vibes. Hang in there. Best, Karen Strazza

Dear Steve and family members: I'm sorry to hear you're in the hospital yet happy to have an update. I'm glad you've got several people working as a team to figure out your treatment. I'd love to come hear you play music in coming weeks, when you have more strength and energy. If you play in Raleigh, or Durham, or central North Carolina, I am coming out there to hear you no matter what. In the meantime, I'm sending my love, my respect, my positive energy, and my gratitude. You inspire me by doing what you do in the everyday things.

Steve- more prayers coming your way from the other Carolina. May the Prince of Peace give you renewed peace as you pass through yet another temporary storm. This too shall pass. Erik Svendsen, now at MUSC in Charleston, SC

I am one of Steve's administrative assistants in the Epid office. Steve is such a wonderful person, always smiling and we share family stories and laugh often about things. He is constantly in my thoughts and prayers and I hope things get better for him and the family.

Dear Betsy, Marion, and Ann (as well as the GRAND babies!): Stay strong and please keep us updated because Steve has been such a big part of our lives and understanding of environmental and social justice today. I know this is a rough time for Steve to endure now and just as hard on all of you--BUT know that there is a world of love, energy, and light coming your way always. Sty'U (Cherokee language) for STAY STRONG! Much love. Nancy Holt

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion, I am so sad at hearing this news but grateful to know it. I send you all love and best wishes. In my experience, this roller coaster can go from moments of intense pain and suffering to moments of joy and compassion, dragging us willy-nilly through the full range of emotions completely without our consent. I don't know you very well at all as a family, but everything I hear and everything I read from people who do know you makes it very clear to me that you are a loving and strong family who will manage to be there for each other through it all, even when you're feeling differently at any given moment. My family, in your circumstances, took some considerable time to realize that "strength" included being willing to cry and need comforting. I wish an easier journey for your family.

Hi Steve--Keep up the courage and max your life quality. We miss you, man, and your zest of a feisty well-being! Lots of love, John Anderson

Steve - sorry to read about this setback, and I'm hoping that a new month will be bringing better health to go with the arrival of spring, a season I miss so much from those days in Chapel Hill - sitting on the church steps across from the NCNB building (am I dating myself?) and eating Chinese takeout from the restaurant 4-5-6 (aka 15). Hey to Betsy and the girls from Roz and myself, will let you know when I'm coming back to town. David

Steve and family, Much love, thoughts and prayers. Rest and recoop away from all the environmental injustice. We are carrying on while you take as much rest as needed. Bless, Jenn Abram

Steve, my warmest thoughts go out to you and your family. Peace, Liam

Dear Steve, Betsy, and family – thinking of you always. I know you will pull through this and hope you are able to return home soon. Thanks, as always, for the updates – Steve, there is a community rooting for you across the world. Maya

Dear Steve, You are in our thoughts a prayers at this difficult time. We send you, Betsy, Ann and Marion positive energy to help you through this ordeal. Much love to all of you!!!

Dear Steve ~ Sending you strength and pulling for you here in San Francisco. You are an inspiration to so many of us. Hoping you are home soon. Warmest ~ Sarah

Steve, When I picture you, I picture you radiant. You give off such good juju. I can only hope that that amazing love energy that you emit, comes back towards you now 10-fold, and there are bright moments understanding how loved and respected you are......and how many people care about your well being. Cathy