tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post4180141436868488481..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: The Words of a Stranger: The Power of WritingAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-5882994365477855602014-03-01T12:30:13.085-08:002014-03-01T12:30:13.085-08:00It's been way too long since I visited your bl...It's been way too long since I visited your blog. I really, REALLY needed this post today. Thank you, Anna...and anonymous writer from 1996.Janahttp://goodenoughgirl.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-65569122981799938252014-02-16T17:32:26.601-08:002014-02-16T17:32:26.601-08:00Anna -- I'm so very, very sorry for your loss ...Anna -- I'm so very, very sorry for your loss of Jack, and appreciate your sharing in a such a real way. I'm encouraged by your faith. <br /><br />"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps." Prov. 16:9<br /><br />I'm looking forward to your book release! Can we pre-order????Megnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-42157559346452050942014-02-15T02:42:51.404-08:002014-02-15T02:42:51.404-08:00Anna, this is beautiful. What a treasure to find ...Anna, this is beautiful. What a treasure to find - someone's inner thoughts. I am so glad that you have found healing in your writing, and I hope that man did too. <br /><br />Your love story sounds a lot like mine.Andrea Moweryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05610441014156049645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-75866947919659349092014-02-13T13:28:27.007-08:002014-02-13T13:28:27.007-08:00Thanks for these thought provoking words Anna. I m...Thanks for these thought provoking words Anna. I miss seeing you around.Martha leonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-17843652214272403472014-02-13T09:23:49.553-08:002014-02-13T09:23:49.553-08:00I think you might find the book A Tale for the Tim...I think you might find the book A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki especially interesting. The main character finds a lunchbox (which has washed up on shore) containing materials written by a Japanese teenager who is contemplating suicide. GrahamForeverInMyHearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15567227324094005373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-23426062756467827932014-02-12T04:24:33.014-08:002014-02-12T04:24:33.014-08:00I love that quote at the end of your post. Writin...I love that quote at the end of your post. Writing is a very powerful tool--as you well know. Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317328366288947798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-51022125797187759752014-02-11T15:40:37.728-08:002014-02-11T15:40:37.728-08:00What a beautiful post. I'm in awe. Gorgeous wr...What a beautiful post. I'm in awe. Gorgeous writing, Anna. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16993610522830649033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-88276281794812850862014-02-11T10:38:46.652-08:002014-02-11T10:38:46.652-08:00http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashley-davis-bush/de...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashley-davis-bush/dealing-with-grief_b_3716013.html<br /><br />Saw this and thought of you. (Well, you... and my parents and family)<br /><br />The writings you found sound a lot like my brother who fought his demons for most of his life. He wrote poetry and it's both painful and healing to read it at this point (he passed away 3 years ago in May). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-49014333389362595822014-02-11T09:41:34.668-08:002014-02-11T09:41:34.668-08:00I REALLY love this post Anna.I REALLY love this post Anna.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586581766383380976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-38756204510830235062014-02-10T14:23:54.205-08:002014-02-10T14:23:54.205-08:00Writing is definitely cathartic and can be healing...Writing is definitely cathartic and can be healing...and so can reading your beautiful words, Anna. I especially love the line "Maybe it's a peace that doesn't come from us and our plodding, or from our strong wills, but from God and our love for Jack."<br /><br />Powerful stuff, sister. Thank you.LisaARhttp://www.thejugglestruggle.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-36892883612303633732014-02-10T08:30:34.853-08:002014-02-10T08:30:34.853-08:00I believe in the power of writing. I know how powe...I believe in the power of writing. I know how powerful reading your writing has been for me. xoMarinkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16489592695993949578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33191403275382365412014-02-09T19:24:35.054-08:002014-02-09T19:24:35.054-08:00I'm afraid this is going to sound terrible and...I'm afraid this is going to sound terrible and selfish, but I really ... like? appreciate? when other people write about their pain or grief or doubts, whatever their struggle is. Because it's so easy to feel like you are the only one who feels those things. But, then again, I always assume they make it through without actually knowing. Love this, Anna, it's beautifully written.Listen To Your Mother Spokanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11593923196139413440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-43795364441370824732014-02-09T17:21:04.704-08:002014-02-09T17:21:04.704-08:00@Linda Seay, Thank you for sharing your story w/us...@Linda Seay, Thank you for sharing your story w/us!Anna Whiston-Donaldsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-25355459487737415102014-02-09T13:53:09.129-08:002014-02-09T13:53:09.129-08:00I read this post a few hours after finishing writi...<br />I read this post a few hours after finishing writing about 2 very difficult years in my life...for my adult children and, if given the opportunity, to share with a friend or someone who feels like they can't make it through another day so they know that YES, they can. My first baby was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at 8 weeks and died after surgery at 2 1/2 months. A year later, my father died. My mother shot him accidentally. My 2nd baby was born just before her trial began. Those years have haunted me...for years. I never dealt with the grief. I just kept going and didn't look back. When I wrote it all down, there was a peace and a realization that God has used the experiences during those two years to bring me to Him Who has given me peace. Thank you so much for your wonderful blog, Ann! I have been reading it for several years. You have touched my heart. God bless! PS: My mom was found innocent! And, my baby was born healthy and strong...then had another a year later. Wonderful life!!!<br />Linda Seaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-75545215908138284992014-02-08T09:26:52.003-08:002014-02-08T09:26:52.003-08:00Writing is healing. And I need to get back to it. ...Writing is healing. And I need to get back to it. To force myself. TO write it all out, even if no one reads it. Thanks for the reminder, and for sharing your heart,Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214914707096410664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-88257101726339971442014-02-08T07:45:51.373-08:002014-02-08T07:45:51.373-08:00This doesn't relate to this post, but when I s...This doesn't relate to this post, but when I saw this image I thought of your post titled "Mother of All Compliments" and I thought you'd get a smile out of it: http://i.imgur.com/uAbA8gd.jpg<br /><br />E. in Vt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-24238063087605632982014-02-08T04:45:55.962-08:002014-02-08T04:45:55.962-08:00Oh my goodness that was beautiful, crying as I rea...Oh my goodness that was beautiful, crying as I read it, you have such a gift, DinaDina Ochshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04230730450408831366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-9806069051772874582014-02-08T00:49:48.510-08:002014-02-08T00:49:48.510-08:00Oh the writing on the yellowed page -- swoon.
And...Oh the writing on the yellowed page -- swoon.<br /><br />And I'm with you, there's something cathartic about the writing, the creating, the sharing.<br /><br />And yes, the hope.<br /><br />lovely writing, as always, Anna.Galit Breenhttp://theselittlewaves.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-17776059893625932222014-02-07T18:23:44.792-08:002014-02-07T18:23:44.792-08:00Yes. Lovely. Thanks for sharing. And writing. Yes. Lovely. Thanks for sharing. And writing. Another Lisa Chttp://mydailypresents.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-58255864943660241212014-02-07T14:28:42.083-08:002014-02-07T14:28:42.083-08:00I too hope that the writer of the yellow papers fo...I too hope that the writer of the yellow papers found solace in the mere (yet important) act of writing it all out, and more solace as a result of having done so. For you, since you not only write, but have a community of readers, your ability to communicate your thoughts has the dual power of helping to give clarity, healing and solace not only to yourself, but to others. I'm so glad you do what you do. (I was aware of your writing's power before Jack's accident too, and believe that it has strengthened as you have grieved.)<br /> <br />love,<br />jbhatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-89633762278791757142014-02-07T11:59:36.850-08:002014-02-07T11:59:36.850-08:00Oh, I hope he found some peace. I don't know i...Oh, I hope he found some peace. I don't know if jotting down his feelings in the pages of that book helped him (although I bet it did to some degree) but look how his words compelled you, almost two decades later, to write this beautiful post which in turn has the power to affect and inspire those who read it. I love the power that exists in writing.<br />Adrienne Kermanhttp://mintsinmymotherspurse.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-59436018208462028252014-02-07T10:23:57.388-08:002014-02-07T10:23:57.388-08:00What an interesting post. Thank you for sharing yo...What an interesting post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I always love your writing and views. I have always found that at the worst of times in my life, when I struggle inside, it feels so good to put things down on paper and often move forward from the moment. Praying that he was able to move forward with his life. ((HUGS))Debby@Just Breathehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11685398064340027809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-67405892838924608442014-02-07T09:26:15.355-08:002014-02-07T09:26:15.355-08:00I'm sure I'm not alone in my love for the ...I'm sure I'm not alone in my love for the scripture about "when two or three are gathered together in my name." I feel like that quotation about sharing your story to heal and to empower yourself and others is a modern way of expressing that idea. It's been amazing to see you and your family finding hope in spite of a terrible loss. I agree that hope in God has to be the foundation, but you've also worked very hard to hold on to that hope, all of you, as a family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-76961295960339153012014-02-07T09:23:21.871-08:002014-02-07T09:23:21.871-08:00What a great, profound post. My life, too, hasn...What a great, profound post. My life, too, hasn't turned out the way I always imagined (like most of us), but some days I don't even recognize myself in the mirror anymore. But, I guess all of the detours, twists & turns in the road...have made us who we are today. I love your posts and I love you. Thank-you for sharing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-9284397626110797672014-02-07T08:50:30.222-08:002014-02-07T08:50:30.222-08:00Beautiful. Beautiful. Jamie Mileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03464973297373372882noreply@blogger.com