tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post2944220795212024184..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: Cicada SpringtimeAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-60539701538511916862021-02-06T08:33:57.911-08:002021-02-06T08:33:57.911-08:00This is such a beautiful way to look at this. The...This is such a beautiful way to look at this. These benchmarks and things we looked forward to when our sons were alive really can stab at the heart and become even hateful events (maybe it's just me.) But the wait will be worth it. Esther Olschewskinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-41758475226417080822016-08-16T16:00:50.625-07:002016-08-16T16:00:50.625-07:00What a beautiful post! As a mom, you filled Jack&#...What a beautiful post! As a mom, you filled Jack's short years with so much discovery and life! <br /><br /><br />Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-72362248191518152212016-08-16T06:15:00.981-07:002016-08-16T06:15:00.981-07:00I always find it ironic how something years down t...I always find it ironic how something years down the road seems like forever until it becomes the past which then seems like just yesterday. Time. Is what you think of as a kid as being forever and once you become an adult you realize forever is so much shorter than you realized. Time is a gift every day.Follow me on my journey to re-discovering the REAL MEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18413076808037324347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-58975031589460890532015-07-30T09:44:13.666-07:002015-07-30T09:44:13.666-07:00I was touched by the what I read. I have written a...I was touched by the what I read. I have written a series of inspirational short<br />stories on many different topics they are all free. That I thought they might cheer<br />people up and bring a little encouragement and comfort. They are free you can see<br />them at lennyspalace.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17700526005742230875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-47185540296708129352013-05-31T12:29:19.761-07:002013-05-31T12:29:19.761-07:00Thinking of Jack as the cicadas come out in our to...Thinking of Jack as the cicadas come out in our town, which I figured out from reading are a separate 17-year batch than this one.Annahttp://www.randomhandprints.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-16875777151421120952012-04-21T17:28:12.196-07:002012-04-21T17:28:12.196-07:00Love, Hugs, and Tears.Love, Hugs, and Tears.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09826731771375350000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-89862183635865610142012-04-14T13:21:28.831-07:002012-04-14T13:21:28.831-07:00Once again everyone else has said more lovely thin...Once again everyone else has said more lovely things in their comments.<br />Thank you for continuing to share your stories with us.<br />I'm still here-sending you hugs and prayers from Michigan.S. Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16331549078153061010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-79031998572466254862012-04-10T19:59:28.922-07:002012-04-10T19:59:28.922-07:00Gorgeous amazing photo. And what a Mom you are. Wh...Gorgeous amazing photo. And what a Mom you are. What an incredible mom.Ann Imighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01383249597505013239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-22418321230109935402012-04-10T06:58:21.659-07:002012-04-10T06:58:21.659-07:00Love that picture! And I remember the cicadas from...Love that picture! And I remember the cicadas from my teens in the exact same way (flicking them off my towel while laying out).<br /><br />As much as you put into the time that you DID have with Jack - there should have been so many more years. I understand that - 12 could never have been enough no matter how wonderful. I so wish I could give you more.<br /><br />Love you.Kate Coveny Hoodhttp://www.thebigpieceofcake.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-53134325923661262012012-04-09T13:26:29.427-07:002012-04-09T13:26:29.427-07:00Thank you for letting us into your thoughts. I hav...Thank you for letting us into your thoughts. I have learned so much, and you are part of my life now.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00609629888008025050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-69647440979340716622012-04-06T17:41:58.561-07:002012-04-06T17:41:58.561-07:00Lmao...love that picture of Jack & the surroun...Lmao...love that picture of Jack & the surrounding Cicadas! very cute ! What an adorable boy... I'll never forget those big adorable eyes nd his winning smile :)<br /><br />Happy Easter to the Donaldson family!<br /><br />PS- about a month ago, my kids and I were at Manhatten Bagel and we saw a father and daughter with Samaritan Purse blue shirts (I think they were going to a race) and I read on the back of the young girls shirt "In memory of Jack" <br />really made me smile! :)Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10221203779708800168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-38277972379117486532012-04-06T12:25:36.071-07:002012-04-06T12:25:36.071-07:00We were out of town for a few days and didn't ...We were out of town for a few days and didn't have access to the Internet and I missed your family. That sounds kind of funny to say but you are SO much a part of our lives that its true. You were never far from my thoughts. Praying for peace during this holiday season. Hugs to you all.Princess Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868992133684014734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-79022712434381075282012-04-06T06:16:41.022-07:002012-04-06T06:16:41.022-07:00Now when I see these Cicadas along with blue birds...Now when I see these Cicadas along with blue birds, I will think of Jack too. He and your family are never far from my thoughts. Cute pic of Jack, but my skin crawled when I thought they were real and alive ones on him. :)Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15272747197830818198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-70288007771347025632012-04-06T04:59:55.105-07:002012-04-06T04:59:55.105-07:00Anna, I was struck reading your post, and thinking...Anna, I was struck reading your post, and thinking "Jack is like a cicada". You anticipated his arrival for a long time; while he was with us, people couldn't help but notice him and their lives were affected by him. Sadly, he was with us for a short time, but there are constant reminders of him. Cicadas appear every year; some summers there are only a few, some years there are more. Like your memories and reminders of Jack, they will ebb and flow as the years go by. What an analogy for a short, yet powerful life. *Hugs* to you, Tim and MargaretAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14421747628378880130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-79248839486181248102012-04-05T20:44:26.287-07:002012-04-05T20:44:26.287-07:00Opening day of baseball always makes me miss my da...Opening day of baseball always makes me miss my dad so thinking of Tim today as I am sure he is missing Jack. Baseball games were where my dad and I connected. <br /><br />My parents lost a son before I was born and my dad was "stuck" with all girls after that. I hope Margaret and Tim (and you too if you care to) can enjoy the bond over baseball. So many of my best memories with my dad revolve around baseball. <br /><br />TheresaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-65558072212808844842012-04-05T19:08:54.921-07:002012-04-05T19:08:54.921-07:00Oh that sweet boy! I know Anna, never in a million...Oh that sweet boy! I know Anna, never in a million years ...Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14197078418514604572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-72330042897709342032012-04-05T18:52:33.411-07:002012-04-05T18:52:33.411-07:00From another mother who has lost a child too... I ...From another mother who has lost a child too... I understand all to well the journey you are on. Thanks for sharing your stories and warmth with others. However brief their stay here with us was, it changes our lives so completely...takenit2thend2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09566090886628979274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-6965326178414656202012-04-05T18:43:07.590-07:002012-04-05T18:43:07.590-07:00Ann, I can only imagine the many thoughts that go ...Ann, I can only imagine the many thoughts that go through your mind each day. And the many things your heart feels as you process each of them. <br /><br />Your incredibly painful story has reminded us all of the fragility of life, the beauty of love and the strength that comes from faith. <br /><br />I am wrapping my arms around you right now. I hope you can feel it.Vodka Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04734323418017847775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-53422789405509564102012-04-05T17:54:11.978-07:002012-04-05T17:54:11.978-07:00I'm thinking of you this Easter weekend and pr...I'm thinking of you this Easter weekend and praying that the TRUTH and HOPE of the resurrection are very real to you this year. Jack may be gone from this earth but he is very much alive - more alive in fact than any of us who still live in these earthly tents. I am so glad that you know that Jack is with his Lord and you will be together again. Hang on tight to that truth and I just pray that this Easter weekend God will speak such hope and comfort to your hearts! Nobody knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return but it might be sooner than we expect - and Jack will be there with him, ready to bring you on up too! Blessings to you and your precious family.<br />JenniferJennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-86850092116815159072012-04-05T11:01:23.772-07:002012-04-05T11:01:23.772-07:00Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking abou...Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you today Anna. Sending love and prayers and hugs your way - whatever you need!<br />KentKentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-57647611140443369732012-04-05T09:34:27.728-07:002012-04-05T09:34:27.728-07:00That photo!! What a sweet face.
I love that you g...That photo!! What a sweet face. <br />I love that you got so into it. Cicadas and anything that flits about gives me the heebie-jeebies. You are one brave soul.<br /><br />Anna, I'm just sorry you don't have more time with your Jack. In the time you did have together you really lived it well, fully with him. I hope you know that. I know it's not enough, it could never be enough. In that too short time you were there...present and engaged and fun-loving and taking care and...I could go on and on...Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01897963154223770756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-62763706502912998192012-04-05T04:31:39.686-07:002012-04-05T04:31:39.686-07:00I don't know what to say so I will just tell y...I don't know what to say so I will just tell you that I am thinking of you, and I am listening: like so many others. The road to Jack must seem so long<br /><br />Millie xxxxxxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-47489339180481958182012-04-04T13:09:07.469-07:002012-04-04T13:09:07.469-07:00You...and Jack...were cheated out of a lot of year...You...and Jack...were cheated out of a lot of years together; but the ones you had, wow, you really made the most of that time. So many wonderful moments, so many wonderful memories. So bittersweet. Thank you, Anna, for sharing Jack with all of us. <br />As always, I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers. Warm hugs to you...Leah Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816561675529288784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-44270116237261987432012-04-04T11:47:29.523-07:002012-04-04T11:47:29.523-07:00((HUGS)) I remember the Cicada growing up in Illin...((HUGS)) I remember the Cicada growing up in Illinois. I can't remember if my children experienced them since we moved them to California when they were still pretty young. I have actually never known anyone who embraced the Cicada like Jack. One thing I know is that I love how you have documented your childrens lives. I don't have these stories. The picture is amazing!Debby@Just Breathehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11685398064340027809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-27342098550916646862012-04-04T11:36:35.306-07:002012-04-04T11:36:35.306-07:00We have cicadas all summer in Tucson. I'll thi...We have cicadas all summer in Tucson. I'll think of Jack and your family everytime I hear them.Karenhttp://www.alifelessscripted.comnoreply@blogger.com