Wednesday, April 1, 2009 10:48 PM CDT
Pelican sighting a 'Godsend' to family during cancer fight
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
NEOGA — One of the first pelican sightings at Lake Mattoon has proven particularly uplifting to an area family dealing with the ravages of cancer.
While Bill Gentry rested in a hospital bed over the last week following complications from chemotherapy and radiation treatment, his family witnessed a flock of white pelicans near his home on the southeast end of Lake Mattoon. In some Christian traditions, the pelican is associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
“They’re God-sent; that’s such an encouragement after going through this with my husband,” said Francine Gentry. “It’s just miraculous that pelicans would land at our part of the lake.”
After looking at photos of the birds provided by Gentry’s family, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources official confirmed the birds were indeed white pelicans. Bob Szafoni, Natural Areas project manager, also said the migratory routes of pelicans have been growing throughout Illinois as the birds’ population has increased over the last few years.
Pelicans have been spotted within the last month at Lake Shelbyville as well, Szafoni said, adding that their presence at Lake Mattoon is “unheard of, but it is not surprising, since the birds seem to be expanding their range.”
Julie Williamson, Gentry’s daughter, said her brother, Ross Gentry, first noticed the birds when he went to feed his father’s cows Thursday evening. Bill Gentry was admitted to the hospital the previous day.
According to Williamson, her father was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer in late February after a month of visits to the doctor. He then received low doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
“We’ve had a really tough couple of months,” said Williamson.
She said various family members were skeptical that the birds — which apparently left Lake Mattoon on Sunday — were actually pelicans, but they have since been convinced.
“It’s just so hard to believe,” she said.
According to Szafoni, pelicans are even “nesting” (laying and hatching eggs) in northwestern Illinois, on islands in the Mississippi River. “They’re attracted to large bodies of water during migration,” he said.
Szafoni said the population spike is occurring naturally. “They’re becoming more numerous, so they’re showing up a lot more places than they did before,” he said.
The family of Bill Gentry said they feel blessed because of the pelicans at Lake Mattoon.
“God gave us these birds to lift our hearts and give us joy, and give us something else to talk about besides our sadness,” said Williamson.
Francine Gentry said, “It was like a shot in the arm, an encouragement to know the Lord’s still there no matter what you’re going through.”
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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just watching wrote on Apr 1, 2009 1:47 PM: