tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post2230359196538766439..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: Exquisite PainAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-40141969600117508972012-04-28T18:09:35.791-07:002012-04-28T18:09:35.791-07:00Anna, I have so much respect for you as a writer t...Anna, I have so much respect for you as a writer that I have been unable to form my thoughts of humble gratitude for the honor of your response to my post. Thank you.<br /><br />These are things you've taught me, and I thank you most sincerely for it.<br /><br />Ever in my prayers, <br /><br />~A SisterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-51670802239100205442012-04-17T13:16:50.506-07:002012-04-17T13:16:50.506-07:00That picture, the way you are looking at Jack... ...That picture, the way you are looking at Jack... It brings tears to my eyes. Your love for him is so obvious; and clearly it is because of that love that he flourished and was the type of person who inspires us all so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-51328149476451425122012-04-16T19:19:34.394-07:002012-04-16T19:19:34.394-07:00Beautiful. Always thinking of you. xoBeautiful. Always thinking of you. xothe mama bird diarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11873150534166153971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-6095980346428926142012-04-16T02:39:20.807-07:002012-04-16T02:39:20.807-07:00That is such a perfect picture. It is so obvious h...That is such a perfect picture. It is so obvious how much you just love love love jack, and he and margaret look so happy and loved.annabelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-48404123130536074322012-04-14T17:17:59.674-07:002012-04-14T17:17:59.674-07:00Please try again to mail the card - in my time of ...Please try again to mail the card - in my time of grief there were people that intentionally sent cards several months after the fact. Those were tangible reminders that others had not forgotten. Maybe you can find her through the church or funeral home were the service was held or a school. I am sure she will be blessed by your care. Lifting you all up daily.Hokie Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01823854066037038634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-64799146674547808382012-04-14T10:10:29.581-07:002012-04-14T10:10:29.581-07:00Thinking of you and especially Tim on this "o...Thinking of you and especially Tim on this "opening day". Can't imagine how hard it is. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.<br />-MaureenIrishRN07https://www.blogger.com/profile/11904458918696728980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-14454743780574021372012-04-13T20:35:31.228-07:002012-04-13T20:35:31.228-07:00Sounds exactly like something Ann Voskamp would sa...Sounds exactly like something Ann Voskamp would say.<br /><br />http://www.aholyexperience.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-61848970169444482722012-04-13T19:49:07.640-07:002012-04-13T19:49:07.640-07:00So beautiful and so true. For most of my life, I h...So beautiful and so true. For most of my life, I have been afraid even to offer words of condolence to grieving people. It always felt like another cliched "I'm thinking of you" or "So sorry for your loss" wouldn't add anything. There was no way I could make it better, so why bother. I'll never forget the coworker whose daughter died, and I never offered even a word of acknowledgment. Awful.<br /><br />Now, because of you, I am learning to reach out to people who are hurting. Just last week, I made chocolate chip cookies and delivered them to a friend whose father had died. Maybe the last thing on earth she wanted at that moment was cookies, but I hope knowing that I cared enough to make them was some small comfort. <br /><br />I'm telling you this story because I want to you to know that you sharing your story is making a difference. I understand love and loss so much more now than I did before I discovered your blog. The idea that you have been able to give so much to so many people, even in the face of such a horrible loss, is revolutionary to me. Thank you so much.Kristinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-14366085529788544802012-04-13T17:45:25.210-07:002012-04-13T17:45:25.210-07:00That was lovely. And something everyone can unders...That was lovely. And something everyone can understand. Even the people who are currently grieving since they have a "before" to remember. <br /><br />Love you.Kate Coveny Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006589284938683965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-89730063490811745012012-04-13T12:37:28.895-07:002012-04-13T12:37:28.895-07:00wow, indeed. beautifully written. thank you for co...wow, indeed. beautifully written. thank you for continuing to share with us every day.Chimmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17465508285894145718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-5890099932983727172012-04-13T07:54:09.337-07:002012-04-13T07:54:09.337-07:00@ New Mom
I didn't know that Anna means "...@ New Mom<br /><br />I didn't know that Anna means "grace", and I love finding out things like that. Not common knowledge to me. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-48095258731996893952012-04-13T01:02:53.762-07:002012-04-13T01:02:53.762-07:00So poignant.
The photo you shared is worth thousa...So poignant.<br /><br />The photo you shared is worth thousands of words filled with exquisite joy and pain, for it shows what an incredibly special boy your Jack is -- and how much you love him.Karen (formerly kcinnova)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16705613736966783261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33402058227250825482012-04-12T22:09:15.546-07:002012-04-12T22:09:15.546-07:00This was written so poetically that I "felt i...This was written so poetically that I "felt it", as opposed to just nodding to myself in understanding. You see, after I read it the first time, I read it a second time....and then where "grief" was, I replaced it with "living with cancer" and I read it a third time, and suddenly I felt understood, too.<br /><br />This is what sharing our pain does. It has the potential to comfort others so naturally and peacefully.<br /><br />Thanks for being here in your grief, Anna.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15980878800568487226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-26334657812264167342012-04-12T21:35:38.780-07:002012-04-12T21:35:38.780-07:00A funny thing just happened - I was so struck by h...A funny thing just happened - I was so struck by how gracious you are to take the time to relate to your readers even as you experience an exquisite pain that we can't possibly know - and so I was just thinking to myself that your name should be "Grace". I decided to look up the meaning of the name Anna and found that it translates "Grace, Gracious." I'm sure this is common knowledge to everyone else, but all I could do was nod emphatically. You are so gracious, Anna. Thank you!New Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977448707939297759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-85857080807369253792012-04-12T16:54:42.277-07:002012-04-12T16:54:42.277-07:00That was powerful and beautifully written.
I love...That was powerful and beautifully written.<br /><br />I love that picture, with you looking at Jack. ;)Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10221203779708800168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-45481217078819461372012-04-12T14:55:35.146-07:002012-04-12T14:55:35.146-07:00wow... I am glad to know that you feel comfort fro...wow... I am glad to know that you feel comfort from support.. sometimes i feel intrusive. YOu and your family are in my daily thoughts and prayers. so much love and support always. xoxomiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00679307359908744042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-34173864395444002972012-04-12T14:07:20.007-07:002012-04-12T14:07:20.007-07:00I'm in awe.I'm in awe.Leah Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816561675529288784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-31729523931669684172012-04-12T12:58:18.036-07:002012-04-12T12:58:18.036-07:00Hi Anna -
I've been a silent reader of your b...Hi Anna - <br />I've been a silent reader of your blog since last September when Kate and Lydia at Rants From Mommyland posted about you. For some reason, last night I couldn't sleep and decided to check up on you via my handy dandy iPhone. I don't know if you were awake at 2am and hurting, but for some reason I just felt the need to reach out to you. It may seem a little nuts, but I just had this <i>feeling</i> that you needed me - a woman you've never met who lives halfway across the country. I didn't really fall back asleep, and you've been on my mind all day long. I still don't know why. I guess I'm hoping that this comment finds you and in some small way comforts you and Tim and Margaret. I'm praying for you and your sweet family.CheekyMommanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-85139553502907055752012-04-12T12:24:54.551-07:002012-04-12T12:24:54.551-07:00Her words are so true. Somebody asked my husband ...Her words are so true. Somebody asked my husband to boil the meaning of love down to one word...and his was 'selflessness'. When we put others first - love them like He loves us, we let go of excuses & feelings of awkwardness & fear, and just 'do it'. The loneliness & isolation of grief is so hard to bear. <br /><br />When we sang "I'll Fly Away" @ church this past Sunday, your rare bird was in my mind, and you all were in my heart. Keeping you in my prayers.Mrs Changsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17840252521875408953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-86519730907373769442012-04-12T09:21:21.027-07:002012-04-12T09:21:21.027-07:00This Easter I was thinking especially about your f...This Easter I was thinking especially about your family and others in our community who have lost their children recently. It was on my mind when I did the Children's Word at church on Easter, and I wrote about it in a recent post, The Easter Promise. Our church's flower-butterfly will always remind me of Jack. My prayers for you continue.wild trumpet vinehttp://www.wildtrumpetvine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-57504188945556860332012-04-12T08:26:46.087-07:002012-04-12T08:26:46.087-07:00Agreed, wow.Agreed, wow.Ryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-42932849655128622082012-04-12T06:35:48.049-07:002012-04-12T06:35:48.049-07:00When I woke up this morning, my first thoughts wer...When I woke up this morning, my first thoughts were of your family. I hope you could feel the prayers of comfort and peace. Thinking of you always. {{{hugs}}}Princess Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868992133684014734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-62519553983239467192012-04-12T05:23:45.492-07:002012-04-12T05:23:45.492-07:00Truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing her ...Truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing her words!The Mommy Therapyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11497632312075770712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-60506083568191502932012-04-11T21:20:09.829-07:002012-04-11T21:20:09.829-07:00Oh, my.
Amazing words.
And that picture? Breatht...Oh, my. <br />Amazing words.<br /><br />And that picture? Breathtakingly beautiful and exquisitely painful all at once. My heart hurts so much for you.<br /><br />Fervently praying.<br />xoxoLauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-14589055847679842592012-04-11T20:15:57.841-07:002012-04-11T20:15:57.841-07:00I feel like as I continue to grieve, I am learning...I feel like as I continue to grieve, I am learning to be more mindful of others hurt and pain. It becomes more clear to me, I am not alone in my grief. So many are struggling. One thing I have yet to master...How to help, other than being there to listen, and lend a hug of understanding. Sometimes it's all there is. Thank you for sharing.Mellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05103970599447700302noreply@blogger.com