It’s 6:57pm according to my husband’s computer and I am currently waiting for him to call me so that I can go pick him up at the hospital. He’s there right now, in the waiting room of the ICU, where his father, Martin, is fighting for his life.
I have commandeered Zack’s blog in order to let all of you know what’s going on and to ask for your prayers, for those of you who pray, that Martin would pull through this. Zack is doing his best to be hopeful, as are all of us, but his spirits are understandably low and he’s feeling overwhelmed and so if you think to pray for him, too, that would be amazing. He could use them.
Tuesday night, December 30th, we received a call from Elaine, Zack’s step-mom, that Martin was in the ER and that they were working to save his life. He had almost gone into cardiac arrest. The ER doctors told Elaine that had she gotten Martin there a minute later he most certainly would have died. Martin has COPD ( or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ) which is a progressive disease that narrows the airways to the lungs and makes it harder and harder to breathe. It is a disease typically brought on from smoking, which Martin did, for 47 years. For as long as I’ve known him he’s had to carry around an oxygen tank. Other than that he’s strong as an ox, quick witted, and most definitely not a frail old dude at all. ;-) He had caught pneumonia and was having a hard time breathing the day of the 30th and by the time he and Elaine got a little bag packed and headed to his hospital he could hardly breathe at all. When Elaine pulled up to the ER he had stopped breathing entirely and had passed out. Right now he’s completely intubated ( on a ventilator and feeding tube in addition to a “port” into his heart where all meds can be injected into his bloodstream without the need for a lot of IV’s) and heavily sedated. He’s been given ridiculously strong antibiotics to knock out the pneumonia but is now unable to breathe on his own. Every time the attempt has been made to lower Martin’s need for the ventilator his Co2 levels spike rapidly and the oxygen has to be brought back up. The worry is that his lungs have reached their capacity to be able to function on their own, thus rendering Martin with the need for A. a lung transplant (which is highly unlikely since he’s 78) or B. Having to remain intubated and sedated. It’s frustrating because, like I said, he’s healthy in every other way.
I have to go get Zack from the hospital here in a bit. He doesn’t know I’m doing this. I just know that he’s in a fog right now and all the things he’d normally be doing he’s not and this year had started off a lot differently than we had originally planned. Just know that we are, and have been, working on getting the new OneLight workshop dates set in place ( things are going to be a little…well…a LOT different. In a very awesome way… ), new sites launched, new shoots to work on, studio parties, art gallery showings at the studio, travel, a new baby, etc. So hang in there while we manage this crazy roller-coaster we’re on. We appreciate everyone so much.
I hope this finds all of you well and in lovely spirits with a pocket of peace you can dive into.
Meg
P.S. For anyone who’s ordered a OneLight DVD in the past couple of weeks have no fear! We haven’t forgotten! I am personally going to make sure that is taken care of tomorrow. Also Zack’s brother, Chris, sent out a lovely email that I posted on my blog if you’d like to read it.
Meg,
Please pass on to Zack that I prayed for his dad (my name is Martin, too) which I am sure shocked God to no end. HE does not often hear from me. Give him my best wishes and you guys focus on your family and the business will be okay while you tend to what is really important.
I am the praying sort, so I will…
peace.
Meg, Thank you for sharing this with us so that we can all be keeping Zack, Martin, and the whole family in our thoughts and prayers. Zack’s wonderful post from last fall when his stepdad passed away has radically changed the way I look at my portrait work, both from a commercial and personal perspective. You will all be in my prayers in the coming days.
Please pass on my best wishes to all concerned.
Meg,
Let Zack know that I am praying for him and his family during this time.
Brother, Know that you have a large group praying for him and God’s will being done in this…..and we pray for you as well through this hardship.
hang in there…..
Our prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
I’m so soory to hear this about your dad. Our prayers are with you and your famly.
Thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear of your misfortune…..our prayers go out to your father and your family as well….hang in there Zach!!!
My mother in law had COPD. It is indeed difficult to watch someone who is healthy and of sound mind in every other way succumb to this disease. I will most certainly be praying for both Martin and Zack…..
You are all in my thoughts.
Thank you for sharing Meg…my best to you and Zack – and I have Zack’s father in my prayers….
I am deflated to hear about what is befallen your family… Heidi and I offer our prayers to you all. Godspeed towards the best.
I’m praying for you guys!
Love you bro,
~dave
Thanks Meg for posting for me and thanks to all those reading.
Cheers,
Zack
Best wishes to you during this trying time. Zack, you’ve helped many people through your commitment to training others and making many resources available without asking for anything in return.
May the giving that you’ve done, be returned to you ten-fold during this challenge. Best wishes and prayers.
DC
Totally praying for you and the family. May you be strengthened and comforted in this difficult time.
It’s often difficult to “lean not on your own understanding” in times like these, but like I said, I’m praying for you!
Dear Meg & Zack,
I am very sorry to hear this about your father. I am praying for him and hope he can recover soon.
You guys have created beauty for the world and helped others create beauty for the world. We photographers, who have learned a lot from you, really appreciate that. Please know that many of your friends, most of whom you never met, are with you and you have their prayers.
You’re definitely in our prayers.. Godspeed.
Will be praying for your family.
Meg, thanks for the heads up on the situation. Zack & Meg, I pray for Martin to pull thru. From Meg’s description he’s a strong man, and I pray that the situation will improve.
As Dylan Thomas wrote:
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Best wishes to your father and family.
Cheers
Rich
Thinking about you and your family.
Zack,You don’t know me but I’ve been dipping in and out of the site for the past couple of months (love the work), just wanted to say that I was sorry to hear about your Dad and I’m sure lots of thoughts are with you and yours.
Joey
Meg, Zack, our thoughts are with you at this difficult time, its at times like this you appreciate how precious life is and the time we have with our families.
My prayers & thoughts are with you and your entire family…
Meg,
Thanks for the post and you all will be in my thoughts.
Rob
Meg,
You, Zack and your whole family are in my prayers.
hoping your father recovers very soon, best regards, Anne.
Thanks everyone.
Cheers,
Zack
Jack I’m not a prayer, but i believe that good people deserve good things
I hope that your father recovers as soon as possible.
Cheers from Portugal.
luigi
Zack+Meg Katie and I are praying for you and your family. Stay strong and believe!
i saw your twitter a few days ago and i just read the blog post that megan put up and i just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that i am sending out some positive vibes for you and your father and i wish for the best for him and a speedy recovery. if you need anything (honestly!!) please let me know.
matt
May the peace that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ! I am praying for you and your family.
Dear Zack and Meg,
Thank you for letting us know and please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Roel
Meg, this was a beautiful gesture. Count me in as one praying for Martin and all who love him.
Meg & Zack – We’ll be praying!
Elisabeth & Scott
Zack- just saw the blog update this morning and wanted to let you know that my prayers go out. I remember the photo you posted a while back of your father laughing at something off camera, sitting in the chair with the bubbles floating in the air. Beautiful work. I also remember your post a while back about why we take pictures; it really spoke to me.
More prayers for the whole family are on the way. I wish you all the best.
Meg and Zack,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Martin.
Jason
Will be praying too…
Peter
Zack, Meg and family,
I wish your father a fast recovery and you the strength to stand by his side.
Sara
Much love and support to you and your family. I sent a twitter message as well. @whoisariston.
May the Lord bless your family through this difficult times.
jaime
Hi Guys,
Much love and support sent from the UK.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Glyn
Zack and Meg and family,
I’m a longtime reader/lurker but first time commenter. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Justin
Hang in there, we’re praying with you.
Best,
Danny
You’re in my prayers.
Meg,
Thank you for keeping us informed. All of us that have had contact with Zack through the OneLight Workshops consider him a friend.
Will be keeping good thoughts for all of you. All the best.
Tom
All our best wishes are with your Dad, Zack. I’ve been praying for him every since I read your post on Twiter. I hope and wish that all of our prayers hep get your Dad well very soon.
Ali
May God keep y’all in his hands and watch over Martin. May the doctors have wisdom, skill and the ability to heal. May you know joy and peace even in the darkest moments when you least expect it.
My prayers are being lifted for you and your Dad and family. May Peace be yours and may God’s healing be at work.
Meg, thank you so much for sharing. Nothing like the body of Christ coming together to lift one another in prayer. Nancy and I will pray for you all daily. Our hope is that his health will be restored soon.
Jimmy
Family is the most important thing in my life and from what I read from you, it’s the same thing.
I do not pray as I only believe in me and human kind but I do hope you’re father will recover !
Take care ZA.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care of yourselves and each other and keep hope in your heart.
Hugs…
Melanie
I am praying for you. You don’t know me, but I’m praying.
Phillipians 4:4-7
You and your family are in my thoughts. I don’t pray but I trust your father is in good hands and will make it though this trying time.
Thoughts and prayers for you and yours from St. Louis. MO. Hang in there man, and my best wishes for your father.
Meg, the music you’ve shared at B.C. and Zach’s story and work on this blog have moved me a great deal. Thinking and praying for you…
Nina
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Our best wishes and prayers are sent out to you and your family Zack. Thanks for posting Megan!
Dear Zack and Meg,
You two appear to be such beautiful people, so heartfelt and open. My wishes are with you and your father.
Peace
Derrick
hello zack, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..
Hi Meg & Zack,
my best wihes from germany, i keep thumbs pressed in this hard times for you.
Chris
hang in there! we are praying…
Our thoughts are with you guys and your family.
[...] Source and Read More: zarias.com [...]
I’ll pray for Martin, Zack, and the whole family.
Family always comes first Zack, and I couldn’t see you being anything other then a good son. Your professional life is simply a mirror of who you are in your private life. It is important example for new photogs in the biz to realize the importance of being kind-hearted in our profession.- to our subjects and to those family members who make sacrifices for us. My prayers go out to you and your father.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. From another Martin, in the UK.
My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family!
All will turn to a happy end
Best wishes from Germany,
Henry
P.S.
Family is the most important thing in life!
Zack’s father is in my prayers also. I also have Martin in my name. Thank you for letting us know.
absolutely, we will pray for You, Zack and the Arias family
Zack and Meg,
I don’t know either of your personally, but I would like to. I do check the blog each day and am thankful for your hard work. I wish you and your family the best. Hopefully, you will have many more years together.
My mother has COPD as well. It’s a terrible thing. I hope everything works out. Keep your head up. I’ll be wishing for the best.
oh my, our thoughts and whishes are with you guys, all the best from me and my little family here in germany. our prayers are with you.
I’m very sad to hear about this situation and our family wishes your family our prayers of hope. Zack is gifted in many ways but his love for his family and his dad is the greatest gift and we pray that he continues to share that gift with his dad healthy and at home for many more years.
Thanks for the update…
Peace and Blessings
Zack and Meg and family,
You are in our prayers
Hussam.
My thoughts are with you Zack & family.
God Bless
You’re in my prayers.
I too have dealt with the struggle of having a father in ICU fighting for his life. I am praying for your family in this difficult time.
Isaiah 41.10
Thinking of your family.
Love, best wishes and prayers for all the family.
Your family are in my thoughts. I know how stressfull this can be because at exactly this time last year my own father (80yrs old) was taken ill with pneumonia as well and waw sedated and on one of those horrible ventilator machines. We were told to expect the worst due to his age. It was extremely distressing. However, he pulled through. One day after a week or two he suddenly started to get better. After a month he was allowed out. I’ll send all my positive thoughts in your direction and hope to hear good news.
Love to you all
Gordon
My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family; keep it up with hope and certainty that God is in control!
Many blessings
ART
best wishes..
Thank you for this privilege to lift Martin, and his family up to our Lord Jesus and thank You Father for the healing you have for them. May it be Your will and we thank You for the comfort each need to accept it. We know You understand we are never ready to let go, yet, we know You love Martin more than anyone. So we will rest in Your will and are grateful for the comfort, strength, and clarity to get through this time. We thank You for guiding the doctors and staff in their treatment and leading us in how to be of help. In Christ’s Name we pray, Amen.
I wish Zack’s dad a speedy recovery.
Hang in there Zack (and family), happy endings are close at hand.
I have been praying as soon as I read the blog
Zack, Beth and Family. I will pray for Martin and your family.
good man deserve good life. wish zack dad recover soon.
praying for you and your family
Zack,
I Pray your Dad makes a Speedy recovery!! Next time you write on here, it’l be about how well his health is improvinng.
Take care
Hi Meg and Zack,
I don’t have your email address and I lost the phone number you left on my cell. Please call me or email your phone number so I can call you. We’re praying like mad out here in California.
Love you,
Angeli
I pray that Zacks father recovers quickly and Zack holds it together.
Energie of my praying will cross the globe!
peace from Portugal
Zach, Meg and family… I just want to wish you the best through this difficult time.
Zack & Meg,
All my best wish for you and your family, i pray for your Dad, and believe, he will recovery,
A Get Well Prayer ~
This get well prayer is sent with love
A special request to Father GOD above
That HIS healing touch, soon be on the way
Bringing for you well and brighter days.
May from your loving heart once again
There flow with happiness a joyous song
May all the days ahead for you, be kind
Blessing you with a healthy body, soul and mind.
Please know my dear special friend
That for you with love, always I am here
GOD Bless You abundantly, is my prayer
Always safely to be kept, in HIS loving care.
Get better Zack. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Mos
still praying for your dad…
Hope everything is better. I know how hard this can be.
Last October my father went to the hospital for outpatient surgery, a minor thing. He had a heart attack before he had the surgery. They thought it was minor and everything would be o.k. I didn’t get to be with him until the night before he passed away, 4 days after his heart attack. He never awoke after having bypass heart surgery. I told him everything would be all right and he passed away 4 hours later on my birthday.
However sad this story seems, it made me realize that we have to slow down in life and cherish the things that mean the most to us. I had been so busy this year, I hadn’t seen my father much at all.
May God be with you,He is there hearing every prayer. Hope your father get well soon!
There is nothing more important that what you and your family are doing – family is core to who we are! Zach from me and my family we wish you, your dad and your family all the best that is possible in this tough time! A speedy recovery to your dad physically and a speedy recovery to you and your family emotionally!
Gary
I will keep you in my prayers.
Zack & Meg, This is my first time posting on your site.
I pray that the Lord will give you guidance in this difficult time and I believe that He is protecting your father in His own special way. Just remember the words “Thy will be done, not mine Lord”. Sometimes it’s hard for us to understand life and death but the comfort of it all comes when we COMPLETELY place everything in God’s hands and trust his Will. I lost my grandmother 2 days ago and it is tough….. definitely, but at the same time I have confidence that she is sitting with the Lord, most importantly………… without any pain. And that is truly what heals my heart.
God has given you great talent and I as well as others here are very blessed that you are always willing to share and teach us the things you do.
My prayers and thoughts are with you my friend. I am all too familar with COPD as my wife has it.
Hang in there, Zack. It’s all in God’s hands.
We’ll be praying for you all. Please keep us updated on how things are.
Sending lots of love and strength your way…..
I hope you and your family are well, you have or support!
Zack,
I hope that situation will get better soon!
My prayers are with you.
In tough times I always remember words of Pope John Paul II: “Don’t be afraid” !
Best wishes from Poland,
Jarek
Thoughts and prayers to you, Zack and Meg, from a perfect stranger who has benefited much from your teaching through the crazy internet box; I feel like I know you and that I have this great friend in Atlanta in crisis. Every time I check your site and see Meg’s letter, my heart goes out to you brother.
Best wishes and god speed to the Arias family. I hope everything turns for the best.
Dear Meg and Zack,
I stumble upon Zack’s website looking for some tutorials for off camera flash. Little did I know that I will find a more human side compared to many blogs I’ve visited. The passion and love you feel for your husband during these difficult times is evident. I’m not religious by any means, but I have prayed for you, Zack and his dad. I’m humbled by the amount of work and dedication Zack has accomplished to get his family ahead during his second try at photography. He’s truly an inspirational figure and you two are very fortunate to have each other. Not to mention the hundreds of friends who have posted their support.
Hang in there!
With Kind Regards,
Manuel Martinez
I hope everything all right with you all. No updates for long time :/ We’re with you.
My prayers and thoughts with you. May the god give you and your family , the courage and strength to pass through this difficult time.
Peace!!
Zack and Meg, it’s been a bit since I checked your blog and missed this. I found your site from someone on istockphoto.com praising your white background tutorials, and I’ve been a fan since.
Zach, your father is in my prayers, and I hope he is doing better. Your father sounds like my father – who died of lung cancer, from 50 years of smoking (he quit 5 years before he died) and asbestosis he acquired while in the Navy in his late teens. the hardest part for me was watching him suffer from debilitating strokes due to lack of oxygen, since he was my hero and my rock (other than Christ and my wife.)
Stay strong, God is good! I’ll keep praying for your family and Martin’s health. Hope to meet you guys at a OneLight workshop soon.
Joe Justice
I found your site yesterday. I loved what I read and decided to come back today and learn more. So sorry for what’s going on. I will pray for all of you.
my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Awesome video dude. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family in these trying times.
The video really reflects how I feel some days.
Thank you very much!
Sorry for the double post. I had you opened in two different tabs and posted to the wrong page.
My thoughts and prayers are still with you and your family in these trying times.