Skip Gillham

[Denny]

Skip still pulling for your recovery and sending prayers along with my blessings to you and your family as well. I once told you some time back during your recovery that I had a prayer type of a poem that I would send to you. Well, I have found the prayer and poem and it goes something like this.

"Hang in There, when you're bearly getting by, and you have a beastly day, when life is hard to bear and it rubs you the wrong way. Just turn your eyes to heaven and pause and say a prayer that God will lift you up and help you to Hang In There."

Hope that this prayer and poem will help you and your family in your recovery process. As the prayer and poem says Skip to just "Hang in there!" Take it slow and easy Skip and listen to what that A Team of Doctors, nurses and therapists tell you along with your family and don't be in too big a rush to get back to your writings and work. We here at boatnerd are a family and also we are very patient people. In time we know and trust that you will beat this and one day be back on here again sharing your stories and writings with us and maybe even write some new books also.
Looking forward someday Skip to seeing more your stories so get well soon and I'll keep on praying for you and your recovery.

[Paul A]

Still pulling for you every day Skip. Hang in and get well!

[egd944]

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes for a quick recovery.

[intermodalres]

Sending you prayers and healing thoughts.

[Skip G]

Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement. After 10 sessions of radiation, with evident improvement in the level of pain, I return to more chemotherapy on Feb. 5. I trust we can again avoid infection and blood clots and all the ugly side effects and that the "bad guys" can be hunted down and destroyed.

[Guest]

I would just like to convey my appreciation for the hours of enjoyment your newspaper articles and books have brought into my life since the early 1980s. Your writings certainly helped cement my love for the boats and their histories. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[KHenry]

I have exchanged several letters and emails with Skip over the past couple of years, and I too have greatly enjoyed and continue to appreciate all of his books and the hard work that has gone into each one of them. I am greatly appreciative of the efforts that he has gone to in order to help preserve so much history of the Great Lakes shipping industry. His books really help to bring alive so many boats that many of us have only known through pictures.

I hope you continue to rest up and recover Skip, as we are all hoping the absolute best for you. I hope your recovery goes well and that you are taking everything one step at a time. I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Rob W]

Well hang in there!! I wanted to say I caught a break and got your Kinsman book on a whim by stopping at the Inn at Lock 7 right as you were taking orders for the reprint. Me and Wlbblw (Brian in Bflo) were talking about how good of a book it is, and all your books for that matter. Glad to hear you are home. Rest up!


Rob W

[Guest]

Home but battling fatigue.
Thanks
Skip G

[Rob W]

How are you feeling Skip?


Rob W

[Skip G]

Thank you all once again for you kind comments. You folks have been a real encouragement. I am honored to have you as friends.
Skip

[Mac Mackay]

I've "known" Skip for nigh onto 50 years now, though I think we've only actually met face to face twice. We have exchanged letters and photos beyond count. I consider him to be a true friend, whose generosity is legendary. His faith is also an inspiration, and I know it will carry him through whatever he has endure. His family will be a tremendous support too.
However it is us, his many friends, who may only know him through exchange of letters or from his books that can really support him too by adding our comments here and sending our best wishes in whatever form we are comfortable with.
I will call mine prayers. We are all on your team Skip.

[run8]

Over the years I have purchased just about every book that Skip has authored or co-authored. Why, just read one of his books and you will find out that's for sure. Each and everyone is absolutely terrific.

That being said I was truly saddened to hear you are in the hospital Skip but I truly do wish you all the best. You will beat this demon down and put it in its place as that is the type of guy you are.

Sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Eric

[Denny]

I echo Paul A and his comments Skip and it does indeed sound like you have a very good and excellent team. It sounds like the A team for you which is great news and very encouraging and also promising as well. Sorry to say though I am not good on my bible quotes but, if I am correct I believe John 3:16 goes something like "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, strength and soul!" If I am off on that quote, I deeply apologize to anyone but I think I am fairly close on that one I hope. God Bless you Skip in your recovery and prayers are still being sent your way as well. As I side note, "To whom, where and how can us boatnerds send Get Well cards to you?" I am sure that many will agree and echo my comments "Let's get the ball rolling boatnerds now and start sending our dear friend Skip some get well and thinking of you cards." Keep on hanging in there Skip as I have a prayer saying for you that I will save and keep for another time on here for you.

[Paul A]

Skip,
Sounds like you have a good team to take care of you. Be strong and you have my prayers and thoughts for quick recovery!

[Jon Paul]

To my friend Skip and your family take heart;

"Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:31

I pray my brother that God's word will guide you as I know in faith it will!

[Denny]

Skip I have purchased and ordered many books from you in the past and I want to send along my best wishes to you and also my prayers to you and your family as well. I have many of your books in my collection and have enjoyed all of them that I have and hope that your recovery is a success and that someday you will be back and writing your books again soon. Sending you my prayers and well wishes and God's Blessings for a speedy recovery. Have faith and trust Skip that God will help you get through this and will lead you onward in your steps toward better health. We boatnerds here are praying for you and pulling for you. Remember that the power of prayer is awesome! We all wish including myself to thank you for all of your contributions here to boatnerd and of your writings in your books. We are so blessed and fortunate to have someone like yourself explain and tell us the history of our passion as far as the Great Lakes/Seaway ships their history and of the history of their respected companies. Without people like you, we would have no one to tell their stories. Thank You Skip again for all you do for us. God Bless you and your family. 3 Long and 2 Short get well soon!

[Skip G]

Thank you, thank you. thank you for your kind works, thoughts and prayers.
I went to see my Doc. last Tuesday for a regular appointment and check up with only the clothes on my back. He took one look at this cane carrying, wheelchair bound patient and said I am admitting you immediately even though there are no beds. I spent the day and night in a variety on hospital locations being hidden away until a room became available and watched by some mighty wonderful people. I actually got a room the next day due thanks to the brilliant creativity of my Doc. What a marvelous man. Many scans and x-rays later led to getting me a day-pass for today to come home. I have to return tonight and start radiation on Monday and then either surgery, but more likely chemotherapy, for who knows how long. I should be able to come home during most of this.
The fight is long from over, I intend to to have more stories and I thank you all for your help by encouraging me and praying for me, my family and my "dream team" of medical personnel.
From the bottom of my heart.
Sg

[tugboathunter]

I've never met Skip, but I admire his work as an author and historian and wish him a speedy recovery and the best of health!

[Guest]

Skip, I do thank you for your friendship of some thirty-five years, and for your faith in Jesus Christ! May He guide, comfort, and be with you and your family!
I also thank you for helping me to co-author the book, "The Kinsman Lines" with you.
Dick Wicklund