Ecumen had the pleasure of working with Minnesota Twin Hall of Fame broadcaster Herb Carneal.  The late broadcaster would frequently praise his friend and fellow Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell as a wonderful, warm and positive person.   Herb was spot on.

Harwell, 91, was recently diagnosed with inoperable cancer.  The legendary Detroit Tigers broadcaster shared the news  in an interview with Bill McGraw of the Detroit Free Press.  Talk about a a focus of living fully to the very end of life.  Here are several interview excerpts:

"We don’t know how long this lasts," Harwell said. "It could be a year, it could be much less than a year, much less than a half a year. Who knows?

"Whatever’s in store, I’m ready for a new adventure. That’s the way I look at it."

Asked what he wanted to have written about him, Harwell spoke about his fans and his faith.

"I don’t want to make it too sweet because I don’t want to get diabetes as well as this other stuff," he said, chuckling.

Speaking of his many admirers across North America, Harwell added: "I’d like to thank them for their loyalty and support over the years. And their affection, which I don’t know whether I deserve or not, but I accept it.

"And also, I think that when I heard the news, that I had this cancer, that I had a feeling of security and serenity … but I had a feeling of acceptance because of my belief in Jesus and the Lord."

Harwell said his wife, Lulu, remains strong and shares his belief in God. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary Sunday.

"We walk hand in hand wherever we go," Harwell said. "We still love each other. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me."

For the first time, his voice wavered, slightly.