tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post2681496022099118473..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: ALL CAPS!Anna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-74293720260598431342013-07-19T06:43:55.201-07:002013-07-19T06:43:55.201-07:00I didn't know Tim wasn't into God at first...I didn't know Tim wasn't into God at first - he and Matthieu will have so much to talk about when they finally meet. :-)<br /><br />I'm pretty sure I read Owen Meany, but I absolutely remember the movie that was loosely based on it - Simon Birch. I cried so hard in that movie I came into work the next day with my eyes all puffy and red. There's something about God using the lives of "small" people that is so incredible.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586581766383380976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-12992199583924163082013-07-18T10:29:35.425-07:002013-07-18T10:29:35.425-07:00Beautifully written, as always. What a special bo...Beautifully written, as always. What a special boy.Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03540256092193254363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-34985704192774194772013-07-16T21:56:33.267-07:002013-07-16T21:56:33.267-07:00seriously? ^^^^. Some comments are kind of pointl...seriously? ^^^^. Some comments are kind of pointless, ridiculous, aren't they?! :) Missing. The. Point. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-50349435783237168232013-07-16T20:41:02.505-07:002013-07-16T20:41:02.505-07:00Watching Mariano ~ and thinking of your sweet Jack...Watching Mariano ~ and thinking of your sweet Jack.<br />xoxoLauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-87714173368842508622013-07-16T18:53:15.322-07:002013-07-16T18:53:15.322-07:00I'm a bit uncomfortable with the question abou...I'm a bit uncomfortable with the question about whether Jack may have had ADHD. It doesn't feel so comfortable, not in the context of an essay that makes it clear that Jack's naughty behavior was a choice; no one chooses to have a learning difference. His exuberance at school was so puzzling because he was well able to choose self-control, and he even showed maturity beyond his years. (I'm NOT saying kids with a learning difference are immature or out of control.) What I read was just a celebration of his unique personality and the possible larger meanings behind that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-85938663998488419512013-07-16T17:03:18.151-07:002013-07-16T17:03:18.151-07:00Your posts are always excellent. I am sure the boy...Your posts are always excellent. I am sure the boys will have fond memories of Jack but I also know their hearts are forever changed with him being gone. I don't like these life lessons but I do trust in God's plan for all of us. ((HUGS))Debby@Just Breathehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11685398064340027809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-71044370554986357792013-07-16T14:09:19.655-07:002013-07-16T14:09:19.655-07:00Thinking about you today.Thinking about you today.Princess Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868992133684014734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-18211271851418018102013-07-16T13:40:49.830-07:002013-07-16T13:40:49.830-07:00Did he possibly have undiagnosed ADHD?Did he possibly have undiagnosed ADHD?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-30765984916670817552013-07-15T13:36:20.712-07:002013-07-15T13:36:20.712-07:00'A Prayer for Owen Meany' is my favorite b...'A Prayer for Owen Meany' is my favorite book. I keep a tattered paperback copy of it and re-read it every few years. <br />My almost-three year old daughter talks in ALL CAPS too. Hoping she settles down a little because preschool starts in September. ;)Mama Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08458165455580355616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-9428780010232968162013-07-15T11:56:38.338-07:002013-07-15T11:56:38.338-07:00As the Momma of one of Jack's classmates, I th...As the Momma of one of Jack's classmates, I think God definitely gave us wisdom to understand the higher purpose of Jack's classroom antics. I've thought this before myself. When they think of Jack they do laugh and smile. On the flip side, I'm wistful for what twists my daughter's wit would have taken as I know she misses her sparring partner. My husband secretly audio-taped a dinner conversation during his childhood and his brother repeatedly said "I want some chocolate milk" throughout but was never heard. I wish I had audio tapes from our dinners (1st-6th grade) because our favs were the "Jack" stories. God not only used his school personality as a salve for these children but to make six years of school a delight! Love you! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-23947001098681540302013-07-15T03:25:16.865-07:002013-07-15T03:25:16.865-07:00Oh Anna. So beautiful. I need to check out that bo...Oh Anna. So beautiful. I need to check out that book. xotracyhttp://sellabitmum.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-15916295904498555812013-07-14T22:45:40.980-07:002013-07-14T22:45:40.980-07:00Omigosh yes. I hope so.Omigosh yes. I hope so.anymommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317877435130121894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-25333187750699938962013-07-14T08:33:59.127-07:002013-07-14T08:33:59.127-07:00Beautiful, Anna.
Amazing how many sides we all ha...Beautiful, Anna.<br /><br />Amazing how many sides we all have.<br /><br />It made me smile that Jack and the principal were not strangers.<br /><br />xoxMarinkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16489592695993949578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-79771683578279088102013-07-12T20:24:34.683-07:002013-07-12T20:24:34.683-07:00I think you are on to something....so insightful. ...I think you are on to something....so insightful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-77081304745620370222013-07-11T20:11:59.557-07:002013-07-11T20:11:59.557-07:00I love this book and am so glad you know it.
It&#...I love this book and am so glad you know it.<br /><br />It's not a stretch. Life isn't a bunch of coincidences, it's a carefully orchestrated stage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-15064394814473332072013-07-11T16:11:55.836-07:002013-07-11T16:11:55.836-07:00To hear the giggles of those boys . . . to know Ja...To hear the giggles of those boys . . . to know Jack had a personality that was dynamic, quiet, insightful, and feisty all tied into one. Such blessings. That is one of my favorite books, by the way. I continue to follow along and read your beautiful and honest thoughts. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17519766021896313321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-65588500317947471892013-07-11T08:32:52.115-07:002013-07-11T08:32:52.115-07:00Love your Jack stories. Truly.
(Always reader, so...Love your Jack stories. Truly. <br />(Always reader, sometime commenter. Must improve.)Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13174981423633745590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-23888679357991179892013-07-10T18:49:30.361-07:002013-07-10T18:49:30.361-07:00My Aidan is also such an ALL CAPS kind of kid too....My Aidan is also such an ALL CAPS kind of kid too. Funny, sweet, insightful, but also a total jokester in school. Such an insightful piece of how Jack has impacted his young friends. Lovely writing my friend.Peghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162890081910497200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-61766073071053498772013-07-10T11:06:58.525-07:002013-07-10T11:06:58.525-07:00"Why did he get up once during math class and..."Why did he get up once during math class and start eating his lunch? Why?"<br /><br />Personally, I would find it marvelously independent and hilarious if my kid did this -- especially if he was otherwise a good kid & good student. I guess I think of it this way. I personally did everything ( and I mean EVERYTHING) I was told to do and everything that was expected of me -- from both parents and teachers -- when I was a kid. All the way through high school. Made life very easy for my parents and teachers but guess what -- it nearly killed me. I have never quite recovered from it. It was self-censorship of titanic proportions. I imagine that Jack was hungry (I'm guessing). He could stay still and stay quiet about it like he was suppossed to do -- and like he did most of the time -- but this particular event was like a pressure valve. He didn't feel like suppressing his needs in that moment . (Or maybe he was just goofing and I'm projecting way too much!) Either way, I think it's adorable. ADORABLE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-61791611432978239112013-07-10T08:40:52.898-07:002013-07-10T08:40:52.898-07:00This is what I love about memorials, rather than f...This is what I love about memorials, rather than funerals. The chance to hear other people's stories and perspectives.<br /><br />I'm amazed at the pictures and stories you can share from Jack's life. At times, that must be comforting to have his memory so close.<br /><br />As always...much love.<br /><br />And Lisa...I saw your recommendation on Momastery and passed that book on to many of my friends with autistic children or who've experienced loss. Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12698639192350525353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-83546138291548835702013-07-10T07:53:20.009-07:002013-07-10T07:53:20.009-07:00Oh, my! Oh, MY! I want to hug you so bad right now...Oh, my! Oh, MY! I want to hug you so bad right now! See, that was Avery. And at school --- she would not. stop. talking. She was giggly and goofy -- and that last day? The kids remember her walking into class dancing and singing. All day long she danced around and sang at the top of her lungs. "That's Avery!" And yet, she had this strange stillness; peacefulness. A wisdom beyond her years. And that LOVE for Jesus Christ! Way more than I understood at the time. (Now I do. Now I get it.) Those kids... God knew what He was doing: giving them comfort in ways that they needed. Giving them memories and stories that conjure up smiles and laughter. Giving them hope. <br /><br />I've never heard of this book. But you can bet I'll be getting it. Have you read Tear Soup yet? I love it. So very much so. <br /><br />((hug)) Bridget McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989230513113751517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-9119366124398451042013-07-10T03:22:01.421-07:002013-07-10T03:22:01.421-07:00Having taught fifth grade in a small private schoo...Having taught fifth grade in a small private school, I feel I know the environment in which Jack's other side thrived. I can see him in class and his classmates (who knew him SO well!) and hear the laughter and feel the teacher's frustration and even laughter. There are some kids, who no matter what they do, you just love them. <br /><br />I don't think it's a stretch at all to say the reason Jack was as he was is just as you say, so his friend would have such wonderful memories of him and laugh on the retelling and make YOU laugh with the retellings. <br /><br />Loss sucks. Grief sucks. But, sometimes, just for a moment, laughter can take the edge off and turn it all bittersweet. Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-10878921841316777502013-07-09T19:26:23.880-07:002013-07-09T19:26:23.880-07:00I love A Prayer For Owen Meany and actually took i...I love A Prayer For Owen Meany and actually took it off my bookshelf the other day to read again! Your Jack sounds like the perfect boy. Again, this post made me think of so much, and again, I am praying for you all, and wishing you so much peace and strength. xoxoLoukiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03066879990007701379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-87842486772212688542013-07-09T11:59:54.212-07:002013-07-09T11:59:54.212-07:00Beautifully written...and yes, I'm sure they r...Beautifully written...and yes, I'm sure they remember the laughter and the fun.Lisahttp://www.betweenhopeandahardplace.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-47626660398124223332013-07-09T06:21:23.906-07:002013-07-09T06:21:23.906-07:00I'm not sure if you have read 'Mister God,...I'm not sure if you have read 'Mister God, This Is Anna' by Fynn. It deals with loss and I am hesitant to suggest this to you as it may be too much but on the other hand it is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Hands down! <br />I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your heart and mind on this blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com