tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post6928486483248681350..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: In the WoodsAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-24029942486336000572011-12-20T19:10:14.055-08:002011-12-20T19:10:14.055-08:00I came across you and your blog and your story...a...I came across you and your blog and your story...and I wanted to share with you a book a friend of mine wrote after the sudden death of her son. It's called "The Reason" by Sally Grablick. She self-published and I hope it might bring you another perspective and path of hope.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-55016379995318353252011-12-13T11:29:17.920-08:002011-12-13T11:29:17.920-08:00This is my first time to your blog and first time ...This is my first time to your blog and first time hearing your heartbreaking story. I am praying peace and comfort over you for this Christmas season: something that can only come from God. I pray God continues to send you signs that he loves you, and Jack and that He is here for youShandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14337476167174497223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-85263172675192660362011-12-07T20:17:13.878-08:002011-12-07T20:17:13.878-08:00I am grateful for the walk you took in the woods w...I am grateful for the walk you took in the woods with Tim. Time spent together is so important right now. I am grateful that you can share your feelings..all of them, your anger, your outrage, your brokenness. I am mostly grateful though for the signs Jack sent you. He's always there Anna. Always. Loving you. -Annie P.prenni5https://www.blogger.com/profile/18346493728216305697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-77587408999534454092011-12-03T13:19:10.458-08:002011-12-03T13:19:10.458-08:00Jack speaks to you through those signs when you ne...Jack speaks to you through those signs when you need them. I am so glad you saw the ribbon. It was a big hug from Jack. We won't forget him! Every time I see Legos I think of him :)Shell Flowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127004188099765270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-90648354157152115082011-12-03T02:22:18.758-08:002011-12-03T02:22:18.758-08:00this part of your writing made me cry. because it...this part of your writing made me cry. because it's SO honest. and SO heartfelt. and OF COURSE, it's how you feel. it's how ANY of us would feel. <br />"The bottom line is that while I KNOW Jack is in a better place, and I believe he wants me to share the TRUTH with you, that life does not end when the body does, I want him alive and well and eating tacos in THIS place. MY place. Right now."<br /><br />WE ARE STILL LIVING AND SO WE WANT THE ONES WE LOVE TO BE LIVING WITH US TOO! it's "selfish," but right now, while we're in this body, we're selfish beings. <br /><br />one of my most favorite quotes is; "You don't have a Soul. You ARE a Soul. You have a body."<br /><br />it's a rational fear to be scared that people will forget about him. but they won't. just because their lives are moving on, or continuing, they will never forget him. i lost 3 friends within a 5 year span- that was over 13 years ago, and i've never forgotten them. never. just doesn't happen. <br /><br />thank you for continuing to write about your grief, your life, and how your days are continuing. i am drawn by your writings.... the way you express yourself with such composure and rational thoughts. <br /><br />you should start writing a book - or at least keep track with the date and details of all the SIGNS you get from jack. would be a neat thing to maybe one day publish, or keep. you never know- maybe you'll start hearing him talk to you in your head, like that one mom did. she wrote a book called "stephen lives" after her 15 year old killed himself. tragic, awful, heartbreaking, but also beautiful at the same time- the messages he shared through her. <br /><br />i always feel liek my comments start out so well to you and then they take a crappy ass turn. EVERY.FUCKING.TIME. i'm sorry. lolj.sterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07704830625784773198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-76523422706459870652011-12-02T13:10:35.526-08:002011-12-02T13:10:35.526-08:00I think the blue ribbons on trees is a beautiful r...I think the blue ribbons on trees is a beautiful remembrance for Jack. I want to decorate my small norfold pine tree in front with blue bows for Christmas in honor of Jack.Debby@Just Breathehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11685398064340027809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-36091994063227586642011-12-01T19:31:16.711-08:002011-12-01T19:31:16.711-08:00I will pray that God will continue to show you sig...I will pray that God will continue to show you signs of His love everywhere you turn!slyepwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10596906673762564639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-20403271482514066312011-12-01T18:43:12.308-08:002011-12-01T18:43:12.308-08:00I am new to your site. Stumbled upon it by chance ...I am new to your site. Stumbled upon it by chance in searching for other bloggers to connect with. I have been so taken in by your strength and sadness, your wit and wisdom, your love and loneliness...your grit and grief at this time in working through Jack's sudden move back to a familiar home. Although I have never been in your shoes, I feel with you...all those writing here, feel it too. The love, care, and concern is palatable, even via the written word. It is heart warming to say the least. It just further instills what I have come to understand, and believe: WE ARE Family! You ache, we ache...you laugh, we laugh....you grieve, we grieve.....you heal, we heal; and we don't need to know each other personally, or have time under the belt, to be a "member."<br /> Prayers and blessings for what every <br />you and your family stand in need of...Crishttp://www.whimsicalwisdoms.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-25839857261560758462011-12-01T18:34:59.960-08:002011-12-01T18:34:59.960-08:00Prayers for many many many more blue ribbons.Prayers for many many many more blue ribbons.Ann Imighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01383249597505013239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-69120107170274773502011-12-01T17:16:15.371-08:002011-12-01T17:16:15.371-08:00Still thinking of you every single day, What happe...Still thinking of you every single day, What happened is completely unfair and so difficult to believe. Lots of love and a big hug to you, mama.<br /><br />PS And as further proof of the unfairness, the word verification I just filled out to post this was "unfarite," which to me resembles UNFAIR. xxooxoJillhttp://www.evybeatscancer.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-14699295222778239822011-12-01T14:54:54.516-08:002011-12-01T14:54:54.516-08:00http://www.hellogrief.org/what-doesnt-kill-me-make...http://www.hellogrief.org/what-doesnt-kill-me-makes-me-stronger-2/<br /><br />I heard of this camp for children today who have lost loved ones today.... I thought I would pass it on in case you ever felt it was needed. I don't know you....but I cry for your loss...and I understand the words that you write. Praying for you and your family. ~~Gainesville, VAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-36089600951745599502011-12-01T12:36:51.807-08:002011-12-01T12:36:51.807-08:00I won't forget. Much, much love to you and Tim...I won't forget. Much, much love to you and Tim and Margaret and Jack.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01897963154223770756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-76157042927681349122011-12-01T12:21:50.262-08:002011-12-01T12:21:50.262-08:00"Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped..."Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped into the next room. Whatever we were to each other: that we are still. Call me by my familiar name. Speak to me in the way in which you always did. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means ...all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind--because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, or an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before---only better, infinitely happier and forever. We will all be one together with Christ." Attributed to Canon Henry Scott-Holland (taken from the Mass of Christian Burial Book by M. Garvey) <br /><br />Praying for you always. Your beloved son will never be forgotten.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-89321625027680024282011-12-01T11:11:05.056-08:002011-12-01T11:11:05.056-08:00Anna,
I have not commented before because I know t...Anna,<br />I have not commented before because I know there is nothing I,a total stranger, can say to make it better. I can't take away your pain or turn back time and fix everything but, I can assure you that I will never forget Jack. I don't know why you and your family have touched me so. Maybe because we are the same age and seem to have similar personalities. Maybe because I have a Lego loving boy who is always the one to "do the right thing". Or maybe because your beautiful and honest writing goes right to my heart and addresses my greatest love, my son and my greatest fear, losing him. This is the one thing I know I can do for you to help ease you fear of people forgetting your son. I will remember Jack and often think of him and the rest of your family. Hopefully, knowing that there are many of us, most of whom you have never met, who will never forget your beautiful Jack brings you just a tiny amount of comfort. Big Hugs to you from an unknown friend in Georgia!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-59023304177254384792011-12-01T08:20:13.321-08:002011-12-01T08:20:13.321-08:00Jack loves you so much and is waiting for you.Jack loves you so much and is waiting for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-90117868716363925792011-12-01T07:52:38.212-08:002011-12-01T07:52:38.212-08:00I never have Blogged until now.God is using use in...I never have Blogged until now.God is using use in a Great and Mighty way! I'm sorry it's from your pain though. May I? You hav probably have already been told this but,You really need to write a BOOK because people need your messsage of faith and strenght after a tragedy, and your writn is over the top good like Karen Kingsberry or Francine Rivers. Not rushn you, just plantn a seed! I know you still hav alot to work through and healn to. But you can really put ppl right where u r. I will never forget Jack or your family, and I pray for ya'll all the time. Just out of the blue u run through my mind and I just stop n pray right there for ya'll. And I think you should call ur book Rarebird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-4598458711224425132011-12-01T07:18:16.799-08:002011-12-01T07:18:16.799-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.bonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122060893685294395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-35011805006002774022011-12-01T07:17:57.907-08:002011-12-01T07:17:57.907-08:00I will never forget Jack. Never ever ever.I will never forget Jack. Never ever ever.bonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122060893685294395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-62794043948467733102011-12-01T06:53:44.720-08:002011-12-01T06:53:44.720-08:00What a beautiful post. I don't know you and I...What a beautiful post. I don't know you and I didn't know Jack, but I read your blog regularly because you and Jack and your story have touched me. <br /><br />It's been 7 months since I Iost my dad to cancer and some days it does feel like the world has moved on, but I am stuck. However, I get these little signs too at the right times. There's no time limit or span... it's our own personal process. <br /><br />Thinking of you!<br /><br /><br />Meredith From A Mother Seeking <a href="http://www.amotherseeking.com" rel="nofollow"> Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking...</a>Meredith from A Mother Seekinghttp://www.amotherseeking.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-31147081830407419462011-12-01T05:34:53.187-08:002011-12-01T05:34:53.187-08:00This post is so beautiful, so incredibly uplifting...This post is so beautiful, so incredibly uplifting and so deeply sad and painful - all at the same time.....The third comment down, Kim at a Brush of Whimsy, said it so perfectly - Jack is free and unencumbered, but at the same time, you and your dear family, are feeling so much pain, and so much hurt. I can only voice what the others have said - I have been , and will continue to pray for you and your family to try to find the strength to get through all of this. But I have to say that I have never seen such incredible strength coming from any human being - you are an amazing person.Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01130431091742730750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-16531740017246003892011-12-01T04:54:15.661-08:002011-12-01T04:54:15.661-08:00Anna, we continue to weep with you daily my friend...Anna, we continue to weep with you daily my friend! The good news is we are in good company...Jesus wept at Lazarus' grave. Jesus felt Mary's grief even though he knew his coming miracle would change that. Christ's humanity allows him to comfort us now through his Holy Spirit...he relates to our pain. Jesus also grieved because He knew that many in the future would reject Him and his ability to bring them ultimate victory over sin. This is not saying that as believers we are free from sin, but we can strive against sin with the Holy Spirit and most importantly Jesus' blood allows us to be seen sinless and holy. I'm praising God that in our grief, God leads us to signs that provide rest and comfort like the ribbon you found. I am also praying that many reading this will know that you and Jack are "their sign" to take care of their own spiritual health and that of their children. In our fallen world, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ is victory over death...eternal life!Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-12806808988657821222011-12-01T04:25:35.548-08:002011-12-01T04:25:35.548-08:00Countless hugs from Australia.
xoxoxCountless hugs from Australia.<br /><br />xoxoxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-35797749793090829922011-11-30T22:05:03.855-08:002011-11-30T22:05:03.855-08:00We are praying often for you and your family. Jac...We are praying often for you and your family. Jack's death is truly awful, and though we are glad you will see him again someday, we can only imagine how painfully awful it is to live each day without him. We will continue to pray for the Lord's sustaining grace for you all, and we will not forget Jack.<br /><br />Much love to you and your family,<br /><br />Your cousin Emily RAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-72041073409627590972011-11-30T21:51:06.639-08:002011-11-30T21:51:06.639-08:00We will go on with our lives but Jack is not forgo...We will go on with our lives but Jack is not forgotten. Sometimes we will be glad we are going forward to meet him. More often, I think, we will be sad that we are moving ahead without him.<br /><br />But Jack is not forgotten. I think about him. <br /><br />I think about you, too, and your family. And I pray for all of you.Junienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-24250606671348172232011-11-30T19:21:03.952-08:002011-11-30T19:21:03.952-08:00Please email me at nomadsbynatureatyahoodotcom. I ...Please email me at nomadsbynatureatyahoodotcom. I have a picture to send you - one that was taken this same day. We were out of town on the road and after thinking about you and your family especially, this popped up in front of me. I had a camera and think you would love the result.<br /><br />Hang in there, Anna. You and your family are hugged in prayer from so many, many who never knew you or your precious Jack, but are getting to know you through your writing. I know I will never forget your son. The path of grief and healing that you are on touches my heart personally. <br /><br />And I agree with Kara, if that creek doesn't have an official name, start calling it Shitty Creek.Nomads By Naturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06893950431543999751noreply@blogger.com