tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post1007300853469738684..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: Cleave or Cleave?Anna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-8046505734162084482012-03-05T22:07:41.747-08:002012-03-05T22:07:41.747-08:00Oh, Anna: your family.
Anna, your family.Oh, Anna: your family.<br /><br />Anna, your family.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609629888008025050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33652695545991758842012-03-04T17:45:42.361-08:002012-03-04T17:45:42.361-08:00Thinking of you today Anna.Thinking of you today Anna.IrishRN07https://www.blogger.com/profile/11904458918696728980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-5749101135886640092012-03-03T19:35:00.940-08:002012-03-03T19:35:00.940-08:00I hope that I can offer some words. I live in a ne...I hope that I can offer some words. I live in a neighboring county ... and like your Margaret, I had a big brother who was 2 years older and with whom I was close - so close that we almost SHOULD have been fraternal twins. He was my best friend and told people who wanted to be friends with HIM that they also had to be friends with ME ... we were a package deal the entire time we were growing up. We complimented each other and understood each other in a way that I can't describe. I have been living without him for 13 years this May - he passed away unexpectedly when he was 32 and I was 30. I watched my parents lose THEIR only son ... and I did my own cursing at the unfairness and un-naturalness of a parent living longer than a child. I look now at my 5 year old son - named partially for my big brother - and wish that I could have "Butch" around to see his namesake nephew.<br /><br />I may not understand exactly what you are going through. But I do "get it". I get your side and I get your daughter's side. I know what it's like to feel that you're getting those communications from him - and I want to assure you that a) I believe you, b) he IS communicating and c) he will continue to contact you at odd times. My brother kept in touch - especially 3 years, one week and one day after he died when our mother also died unexpectedly at the age of 55. You're NOT alone. You're NOT crazy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17005357696698587725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-29778454377841540302012-03-02T06:02:17.824-08:002012-03-02T06:02:17.824-08:00Hello, I'm new to your blog but feel an immedi...Hello, I'm new to your blog but feel an immediate connection. I lost my younger sister to a drowning accident and the pain has not gone away...I can't imagine how it feels for the parent. My parents kept their feelings away from us kids and stayed strong in front of us, but I really appreciated this I know for sure I wouldn't be able to handle any more pain. <br /><br />One more thing, as a sibling of the one we lost, I felt like I was at fault for the accident for many years. I'm 22 now and felt that for most of my childhood. The ONLY thing that helped me was my relationship with God. He does care and grieves with us despite the tragedies we go through. I'm sorry for your loss, it's like learning to walk again without a leg.Ashleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-61317597882479438302012-03-01T19:29:04.703-08:002012-03-01T19:29:04.703-08:00I just sat here and wept. The true just head in yo...I just sat here and wept. The true just head in your hands pure weeping that comes from reading about loss so profound that you cannot say a thing but I am so sorry.<br />Siblings are supposed to be forever.<br />Thinking of your family in whatever cleaved version you are today.<br />Ashley<br />www.thedoseofreality.comThe Dose of Realityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15778610584517345200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-39416133508113315522012-03-01T12:49:47.283-08:002012-03-01T12:49:47.283-08:00Sending love to fill up at least one atom of the s...Sending love to fill up at least one atom of the space in your jeans.<br /><br />Okay that sounded wrong and is totally out of context, but I'm just catching up and all the posts are one in my head.<br /><br />Praying for you guys, and mourning for the missing piece.Ann Imighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01383249597505013239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-51226177995368962752012-02-28T18:38:45.857-08:002012-02-28T18:38:45.857-08:00I wish I could tell you beautiful things, beyond t...I wish I could tell you beautiful things, beyond the fact that you raised Jack to be such a beautiful, kind young man, and are doing so in her own right with Margaret. I wish she had her brother, and that you and Tim had your son, and that there were more of those sorts of videos in the future. I wish it, and I pray. Love to you.for a different kind of girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04431273646365489225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-13816008733625650962012-02-28T07:33:59.070-08:002012-02-28T07:33:59.070-08:00Anna, I found you right at the time of your horrib...Anna, I found you right at the time of your horrible rainy day. I came looking to spray paint an ugly lamp, and left a better mother. The absolute unfairness of your loss and your honest grief has slowed me down and focused me. School mornings are no longer punctuated with shouts and sighs and tears. My girls leave knowing they're amazing and important. My little boy gets extra kisses and 1 more story at bedtime. <br /> Jack mattered. And matters. His beautiful and gentle and wise energy shot out like a trillion pings of light. He has affected this continent. This main. <br /> My 3 kids are growing up with glimmers of Jack. And so is Margaret. I think of you all every day. I hope so many thoughts from a stranger can help. Somehow.Ky Shiksahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12631354946943945306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-3073828834416627002012-02-24T23:28:53.066-08:002012-02-24T23:28:53.066-08:00...any man's death diminishes me, because I am......any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind...<br />What incredible words Anna. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you and your family navigate this wretched time.conniehttp://www.connika.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-46752160103094615002012-02-24T20:01:43.490-08:002012-02-24T20:01:43.490-08:00Ouch, this video kills me....Ouch, this video kills me....Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00133648768009610945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-14237348433067100542012-02-24T19:47:21.681-08:002012-02-24T19:47:21.681-08:00there's an old adage, that everything in life ...there's an old adage, that everything in life contains its opposite. cleave is the perfect word for the marriage of love and grief. it is both a beautiful and terrible word, which explains how you are able to write so beautifully of something so terrible. i'm so sorry for your grief.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-17603203639294767972012-02-24T19:44:14.975-08:002012-02-24T19:44:14.975-08:00I'm thinking "Name All the Animals" ...I'm thinking "Name All the Animals" is not such a great recommendation right now. No offense to whoever mentioned it, it is a good book; but I don't think it would be helpful at this point.Suburban Correspondenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11488916572135296650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-4832775915155531042012-02-24T17:36:25.815-08:002012-02-24T17:36:25.815-08:00I wish each one of us could carry a little bit of ...I wish each one of us could carry a little bit of your pain. it's too much to bear and i'm terribly terribly sorry for the loss of your beautiful son. beyond unfair. life can be so cruel. i'm sorry for Margaret and all of you. big hugs from Northern California. keeping you in our prayers and praying for peace in your heart.Rosaliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17028908226191713030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-45520672366943868202012-02-24T13:06:21.032-08:002012-02-24T13:06:21.032-08:00My heart aches for you...and I can't think of ...My heart aches for you...and I can't think of words that will ease your pain or haven't already been said. But I do know this, losing Jack diminishes us all. Hugs and prayers, dear Anna...Leah Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816561675529288784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-39819765076471067582012-02-24T10:38:03.971-08:002012-02-24T10:38:03.971-08:00Praying you all through the weekend Anna. I'l...Praying you all through the weekend Anna. I'll be damned if I know how to make it better, but I'm by your side through the twists & turns. You'll never remember, cry, plead, or pray alone. xoxo michellemichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141364804750284845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33475020267470583482012-02-24T06:49:57.504-08:002012-02-24T06:49:57.504-08:00When my brother died suddenly, I really connected ...When my brother died suddenly, I really connected to this Robert Frost poem—the inexplicably horrific death, the faith the couple musters to start walking, after they’ve been comfortably riding along in their buggy. I wish your family the strength and faith you need to keep walking, the rest of the way. <br /><br />The Draft Horse<br /><br />With a lantern that wouldn’t burn<br />In too frail a buggy we drove<br />Behind too heavy a horse<br />Through a pitch-dark limitless grove.<br /><br />And a man came out of the trees<br />And took our horse by the head<br />And reaching back to his ribs<br />Deliberately stabbed him dead.<br /><br />The ponderous beast went down<br />With a crack of a broken shaft.<br />And the night drew through the trees<br />In one long invidious draft.<br /><br />The most unquestioning pair<br />That ever accepted fate<br />And the least disposed to ascribe<br />Any more than we had to hate,<br /><br />We assumed that the man himself<br />Or someone he had to obey<br />Wanted us to get down<br />And walk the rest of the way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-86464323158534038342012-02-24T04:00:47.955-08:002012-02-24T04:00:47.955-08:00I have been thinking about you and your precious f...I have been thinking about you and your precious family, and I'm sorry I havne't commented as much as I should have. But you are always in my thoughts and in my prayers... especially Margaret, who I ache for as though she were my own. I hope that one day soon "Cleave" will take on the first definition again for you and your family.Law Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04109050393503675101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-29636607277064562042012-02-23T22:39:01.822-08:002012-02-23T22:39:01.822-08:00I came upon your blog and could not stop reading, ...I came upon your blog and could not stop reading, crying, laughing and praying. My poor husband is trying to sleep and has heard more than a few sobs and snorts of laughter. I will have some explaining to do tomorrow for these red puffy eyes. Your family will forever be in my thoughts and prayers. I also believe in signs...mine are in the form of butterflies instead of rare birds.Faithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-69800393610663604702012-02-23T21:12:25.149-08:002012-02-23T21:12:25.149-08:00Your words are on the page (screen) are helping so...Your words are on the page (screen) are helping so many people, including yourself and your family. This intense grief is going to have a dividing affect to be sure, but from everything I've read about you all, you will find a way to be united again. Continued love & light to you.Mama Maryhttp://www.mamamaryshow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-72927290963658301842012-02-23T20:13:40.831-08:002012-02-23T20:13:40.831-08:00I've read this a few times since I read it a c...I've read this a few times since I read it a couple of days ago. And I still can't put how I feel into words. I'm just so glad that I'll see you soon. All I have is a hug and tears. And so much love.Kate Coveny Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006589284938683965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-4129623196065925592012-02-23T19:29:25.712-08:002012-02-23T19:29:25.712-08:00i have tears running down my cheek as i view the v...i have tears running down my cheek as i view the videos...it is almost unbearable for me to watch jack and margaret play in the second video..that video could have been any one of our son's --- playing with their sister...being silly...living in the moment...i am so sorry that it was your beautiful son jack....i am so sorry.....chrishttp://www.midwestcottageandfinds.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-58137356271896904072012-02-23T18:13:02.732-08:002012-02-23T18:13:02.732-08:00So Shitty and wrong on so many levels.. Prayers to...So Shitty and wrong on so many levels.. Prayers to you and your family.darsdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06204592599045715814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-34478250462536473542012-02-23T17:32:46.715-08:002012-02-23T17:32:46.715-08:00I am trying to think of what to say and there real...I am trying to think of what to say and there really aren't any comforting words. This situation sucks and your family is going to have lots of ups and downs. I do believe though that the foundation you layed will save everyone and keep you together no matter how many bumps in the road lie ahead. You are always in my prayers and thoughts. With Love,<br />Annie P.prenni5https://www.blogger.com/profile/18346493728216305697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-28913399945985717402012-02-23T15:02:48.504-08:002012-02-23T15:02:48.504-08:00Love what Lady Jennie said--hopefully as the wound...Love what Lady Jennie said--hopefully as the wound heals your scars will bind you tighter. Praying for you to feel God holding you, Tim and Margaret.<br />Jen G.Jen G.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-91565566647506596902012-02-23T14:36:45.790-08:002012-02-23T14:36:45.790-08:00lots of love from kansas city.lots of love from kansas city.gilliannoreply@blogger.com