Categories: The Longest Journey
Published by South of the Strait
Why is my page titled South of the Strait? Well I live in a far corner of the United States. I live in a small town south of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. If I was going to throw a rock across the strait it would land in Canada. I used to be an English teacher. I have worked in Westport, Port Angeles, and Sequim, Washington... and I did two years of substitute teaching in Coalinga, California. I've moved around a lot, living in: Sterling,Kansas; Chicago; Jordan, Montana; Lemoore, California; Auckland, New Zealand; Spokane, Washington; Gambier, Ohio. What do I write? For WordPress I used to print once a week for general comments. I wrote reviews of music concerts my daughter made me attend. (Each month she would want us to drive to Seattle to see a music group. I usually stood in the back watching weird stuff.) I also wrote about trips I have taken in Europe where I liked getting lost. I also wrote during the few months when my son was treated for cancer. (He is officially free of cancer of five years.) About three years ago I decided to stop writing blogs so I could concentrate on writing a few books. I have completed three books...or maybe four. I have now compiled my short stories poems and memoirs on Amazon. You can get it at Amazon now..."A Work In Progress"--Jon Eekhoff. I have been very close to getting a printed book called "Lost Summer" but I was never offered $1,000,000.00. (It's set in Paris, 1920's, with baseball, writers, artist, and actually true stuff.) I wrote a book about college basketball called "Laidlaw." It's kind of a mix of "Moby Dick" and a coach who is about to get fired so he takes his team out for a free drive around the West. My most recent book is "California Tales." These are connected stories about the missionary churches in California. They are sad, funny, inspiring, and odd. I had the entire book done in my head and had just one section to finish the next day...and that is when I fell 20 feet from my roof and landed on the cement. (Like a lot of men, I thought I could maintain my own roof instead of leaving it to the professionals.) I don't remember anything about my accident but I am told I was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Though conscious and responsive after surgery to remove part of my skull, I don't remember anything from my first month there. I spent another month of Harborview working on walking, speaking, and writing. That was two years ago. As a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) survivor, I could have quit writing, but I am not going to quit. I work with the University of Washington Speech and Hearing Clinic. So, here I am. I am married and live here in Sequim with my wife Cheryl. Our kids live in nearby cities. Writing is now an exhausting exercise, but something I plan to keep working on. View all posts by South of the Strait
South of the Strait 
Amazing! Congrats. Will never forget the anticipation and excitement we all had after my mom’s lengthy treatment finished.
It feels good, but as you know there is a long road ahead. Thanks.
We’re going to need a bigger bell.
I agree, and a hunchback.
Hooray, hooray! (And I especially love the fact that despite just beating cancer, Dylan’s face is all about, ‘Are you kidding me, Dad??’. Love.
Yeah, maybe 40 years from now he’ll be happy to have it, but at the time he was not too thrilled.
A beautiful sound.
Yes, indeed.
Fabulous!!!!
Yep!
Dylan, I have met you only once, but kept track of all of the Eekhoffs by being a good friend of your grandma. I have been following your dad’s blog and your journey, step by step. I truly rejoice in your courage and stamina and determination to think the best (maybe not EVERY moment!) and allowing others to love and support you. Big kudos to Jon and Cheryl and Emma. It is not an easy task to watch either. shirley otis
Thanks, Shirley.
I am so excited and happy for all of the Eekhoffs and am blessed by reading the blogs detailing Dylan’s progress!
Thanks.
Dylan, and Jon, Cheryl and Emma, You all don’t even know me but I have been following and praying (and will continue to do so) because Dylan’s aunt Kay and grandparents Dave & Geri are my dear friends. Thank you all for your courage and perseverance, and for sharing this journey with others. Leslie
Thank you!
Yay Dylan!!! So proud of you!!!!😎😜👀👍🏼👌🏻😍🆗💪🏻🇺🇸
Dylan! You look so relieved that it is all over! So happy for you and your family. I KNOW the scan is a month is going to be CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN!! Oh, and they need a much bigger, louder bell!!
A really big bell would be better. Thanks, Barb.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much love from El Salvador.
Yep.
It’s hard to see through these tears to write but I’m all full of smiles and relief that Dylan got to ring the bell. Thank you so much for taking us along with you on this journey and letting us support you with love and prayers. I was so glad to see your and Cheryl’s names NOT on the absence list today! Welcome home to all of you together. Prayers still coming your way from my whole family. Smiles and love!
Thanks, Jaye.
Ah sh!t man. You’ve got me crying again!! So happy for you!!!
It was a great moment, and now the wait.