tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post4460045183309134964..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: What You Can Do to Help a Grieving FamilyAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-49051451991823183462018-01-06T19:38:23.367-08:002018-01-06T19:38:23.367-08:00Great information for grieving families. Our team ...Great information for grieving families. Our team here at <a href="http://www.honanfh.com/" rel="nofollow">Honan Funeral Home</a> will share this with clientsBillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06914506883244978787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-83546807989397343262016-08-31T16:33:17.003-07:002016-08-31T16:33:17.003-07:00This is such a great post. I often times don't...This is such a great post. I often times don't know what to do to help or comfort those who have lost someone in death. This article, entitled When a Loved one Dies (http://bit.ly/2crV3zY), was extremely helpful to me. I hope it brings others a measure of comfort as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00456981172601391457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-64093427929511963372016-05-24T02:29:41.182-07:002016-05-24T02:29:41.182-07:00happy fathers day brother in law<a href="http://thehappyfathersday.com" rel="nofollow">happy fathers day brother in law</a>its mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18107936564457859795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-7516259393372002032016-01-25T11:03:11.939-08:002016-01-25T11:03:11.939-08:00This is such a great post! My mom passed away a fe...This is such a great post! My mom passed away a few weeks ago, and once her <a href="http://maurerfuneralhome.com/?page=services" rel="nofollow"> memorial service</a> was over I tried really hard to get back into the swing of things. It's proved to be a much more difficult task then I thought, and I've been looking through different ideas to help me feel normal again. I've been exercising, like you suggested, but I think I will also start to find creative things to do as well.Ella Pratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778452994217073667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-46991859076836807742015-07-30T10:13:00.477-07:002015-07-30T10:13:00.477-07:00I was very touched by your story. I have been tryi...I was very touched by your story. I have been trying to share my inspirational<br />short stories in hope that I can offer some encouragement and support and to<br />comfort others who have been through difficult situations. They are They short different short stories on topics of sickness, illness, death love, friendship<br />and many others, they are all free,May the lord keep you safe, and comfort you. <br />You can see them at lennyspalace.com Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17700526005742230875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-16480760439743006042015-06-08T06:53:51.860-07:002015-06-08T06:53:51.860-07:00I found your Blog and consequently your book just ...I found your Blog and consequently your book just before my neice miscarried. It helped me to be able to be there for her when I would not have known what to do before. So Jack is helping people who your don't even know. I am so thankful for you and your son. He was/is a true gift.Aunt Murryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15483624727707706389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-11923580176465660552015-06-07T06:05:45.145-07:002015-06-07T06:05:45.145-07:00Thank you for sharing such an insightful list, tea...Thank you for sharing such an insightful list, teaching us all how we can care for those we love who are grieving. Anna, I have been thinking about you even more, since my daughter recently turned 12. During all my prayer times, my thoughts drift to Jack, to you, to the ache in my soul for your loss. It's become personal, now that my daughter is now the age of Jack when you lost him. <br /><br />Your book was and still is the most moving and inspiring book I have truly ever read. I am still processing it deep within my heart... and praying for the right words to write that will somehow convey the passion, the pain, the beauty and the undying faith you so eloquently penned in Rare Bird. I want every single person I know to read it. I truly do. It's just so profoundly emotional, so intimately raw, and Divinely hopeful... I have told so many people about it... I need to finally sort it through and find the best way I can to honor the book and YOU on my blog. Chris Carterhttp://themomcafe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-80114807612328138562015-03-19T07:50:48.216-07:002015-03-19T07:50:48.216-07:00Thank you for this list. An aquaintance recently ...Thank you for this list. An aquaintance recently lost her 15 year old daughter unexpectedly. I remembered seeing this list when you wrote it and sought it out to try and do what I can to help this grieving family. Prayers for Jack and your family always.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-76008032359621820122014-11-20T04:16:46.438-08:002014-11-20T04:16:46.438-08:00What a wonderful person you are to take the time t...What a wonderful person you are to take the time to encourage us all. I know a lady through fb only whose son passed away. The saddest thing was that she posted this on fb which to me seemed a real cry for help. You have helped me know that im on the right track as it is really hard to know what is the right thing when you have never met a person. But you cant just do nothing. Thank you to Jack for being such an inspiration.<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-18452142534480065542014-10-04T17:26:33.702-07:002014-10-04T17:26:33.702-07:00What a fantastic list! Each suggestion is so appr...What a fantastic list! Each suggestion is so appropriate and wonderful. I lost a son many years ago and just recently lost my dad and any/all of these would be absolutely loved and appreciated. I will add one 'please don't' - please don't tell the family "they're in a better place", "it's God's plan", "it was their time" (etc) - the grieving family isn't ready to hear such things. They want their loved one with them and those comments are not perceived as comforting/loving things at that moment. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-72039578270903204142014-05-26T18:07:49.171-07:002014-05-26T18:07:49.171-07:00I am so sorry for your loss. On the other hand,I a...I am so sorry for your loss. On the other hand,I am so glad your blog was recommended to me. Your words are a blessing. EllenSisterhood of the Sensible Momshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10978033016895948863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-53784799116410429682013-10-29T10:12:50.572-07:002013-10-29T10:12:50.572-07:00Hi Anna,
just sent this link to someone asking for...Hi Anna,<br />just sent this link to someone asking for advice on twitter--so I took a minute to re-read. It really is so helpful! I still think of you, your family and Jack often. Hope things are still going smoothly in the new house & with the book!<br />deb.dwerrleinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05917174708039425122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-18486369064075057592013-10-25T06:56:29.392-07:002013-10-25T06:56:29.392-07:00i was horribly bereaved a week ago. the words i ca...i was horribly bereaved a week ago. the words i can't bear to hear any more are "if there's anything i can do, tell me". it's really irritating because they all say it and it doesn't seem one bit sincere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-3346069705439101372013-08-09T08:51:00.674-07:002013-08-09T08:51:00.674-07:00Thank-you so much for this post. Gives me ideas of...Thank-you so much for this post. Gives me ideas of what to do when I feel so stunned and empty.<br /><br />Xxx<br />ckbosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15155308808820468101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-59221674528401699302013-05-28T19:30:52.744-07:002013-05-28T19:30:52.744-07:00This is a wonderful list. I wrote a similar post n...This is a wonderful list. I wrote a similar post not too long ago about how to help a mother who has just lost a baby. You came by my blog and made a comment. I appreciated it so much. I knew who you were at the time, but I did not know Jack's story. I had not taken the time yet to get out of my own fog to learn about your story. I am sorry for that. You are a beautiful writer and Jack was blessed to have you as a mother. Thank you for taking the time to visit me and comment. I'm sorry it took a little while for me to get back.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11482637793828446755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-42351612682743038242013-04-30T10:58:39.650-07:002013-04-30T10:58:39.650-07:00Thank you! I cried while I read this list as I th...Thank you! I cried while I read this list as I think you might have cried whiile you wrote it. We lost my sister to cancer just over 6 months ago. I learned a lot about how to help people in grief based on what others did and did not do. Thank you for such a wonderful list. I will be sharing it! May you continue to be comforted by good memories and by the hope of Heaven!Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15427548252132766685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-73871036102413528672013-02-20T16:43:07.582-08:002013-02-20T16:43:07.582-08:00Our little town in Idaho is no stranger to grief.....Our little town in Idaho is no stranger to grief.. Your story is so heartwarming and I am grateful for your advice. Some people that attend our church lost their 4 year old last night. His dad backed over him with a truck. The Young Women in our church wanted to do something for the family, we didn't know them that well but wanted them to know that we love them and are praying for their family. Your thoughts are exactly what we needed! Thank You for sharing your story .crazymillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11976123198820329687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-35586522784887760202013-01-07T19:16:39.075-08:002013-01-07T19:16:39.075-08:00Thank you so much for sharing your life and traged...Thank you so much for sharing your life and tragedy. I love all your suggestions and thoughts. I googled "how to help a grieving family" and this came up. I just lost a friend to cancer yesterday and I am so heartbroken. Prayers go out for you and your family also who have had to handle losing someone. God bless!! Love Gwenjacquelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14500183598493697790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-37597688722847779112012-12-17T17:37:38.229-08:002012-12-17T17:37:38.229-08:00Hi Anna,
How could I possible thank you for openin...Hi Anna,<br />How could I possible thank you for opening my eyes and heart to understand more the need of those that are grieving and a loving role that I could play in their darkest days.<br /><br />I lost my uncle to brain cancer over 15 years ago, and still never knew how to reach out to my aunt or cousin on the anniversary of his death each year. It felt awkward and imposing. Like I was trying to drum up those ill and sick feelings that death at first surrounds you with.<br /><br />After trying to process the horrific events that happened in Sandy Hook CT, I have found myself crying and crying, aching and throbing as I revisit the time of when my uncle died and how helpless I felt then and how still helpless I feel now. I have been reading your blog with one eye open (and the other somewhat squinting shut) as I try to read with great empathy your soul and pain without believing that reading your pain could bring me the same pain one day. (superstition).<br />After meditation, it dawned on me that for some reason checking back to your blog, God was leading me to the answers, the "directions" that I was needing to following so that I could be of use. "I want to help".<br />Your blog Post "What You Can Do to Help a Grieving Family" hit me like a pile of concrete.<br />It solved the unknown and fear that I abated all these years. I dawns on me tonight that I can still help. Even those in Sandy Hook, even from Toronto and all the way up here and so far away from you and those.<br />Jack's light is glowing in my heart at this moment as your kind guide will provide me and my family some peace forever on how to approach death, grieving, and most importantly how to be approached as we all will one day.<br />God Bless you and may you find something each day and night to give you peace and purpose thru Jack's lingering fragrance.<br />Anna V.<br />TorontoAnna V.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-12836256430802305942012-12-16T20:21:55.295-08:002012-12-16T20:21:55.295-08:00I know how people gather around in the beginning a...I know how people gather around in the beginning and then fade away back into the flow of their busy lives. I think it's an amazing idea to reach out to the family down the road when everyone is gone. <br /><br />Sending you a ton of love and hopefully some laughter. xoxo<br /><br />Jbernthishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05905337047538489562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-48496240130913908532012-12-10T21:22:52.306-08:002012-12-10T21:22:52.306-08:00Oh Anna, this is brilliant and beautiful and so tr...Oh Anna, this is brilliant and beautiful and so true. I particularly love #12. Say their name! You're so right that it's hard to do but it is so meaningful. And I also love the one about sending an email on the birth and death days. I have some friends that call me on both of those dates for my dad and I appreciate it so very much. Mama Maryhttp://www.mamamaryshow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-65138918948552737802012-12-07T13:40:49.028-08:002012-12-07T13:40:49.028-08:00Thank you so much for this. We experienced the dea...Thank you so much for this. We experienced the death of a 3 year old in our community this fall. I have been thinking that I should write the family a note letting them know that, 3 months on, their sweet little boy is still remembered by his classmates, their parents, and the teachers at nursery school. Reading this post prompted me to write that letter and put it in the mail today. I was wondering if going to the cemetery would be okay or a gross breach of etiquette, so I'm glad you mentioned that. All action seems inadequate, so all I can do is pray for them and REMEMBER how sweet that little boy was and what a good friend he was to the others at school.<br /><br />I am deeply sorry for your family's loss of Jack. Thank you for sharing your stories. You'll probably never know how much good you're doing. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-26592311994145108102012-12-06T22:04:15.581-08:002012-12-06T22:04:15.581-08:00Anna, this is the most helpful list I've ever ...Anna, this is the most helpful list I've ever seen for grieving families. The careful thought you've put into it has helped me immensely already; I won't forget it. You don't know me, but I've read your blog often, and I think of you often. I think of Jack often. And I am a little piece of the community supporting you, lifting you up, and praying for you and your family. Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598792501741861659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-87482712646049926142012-11-14T07:54:39.049-08:002012-11-14T07:54:39.049-08:00I lost my eldest brother years ago and I still rem...I lost my eldest brother years ago and I still remember the people who were just always around for our family during the first few days. They didn't have to say anything, they were just around doing things that needed to be done. Thank you for this lovely post, and I'm so sorry about Jack. He reminds me of my brother who I lost when I was in 5th grade and still miss 20 years after.Terbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17057540371266820006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-91032930964231959212012-09-10T13:59:47.815-07:002012-09-10T13:59:47.815-07:00Thank you for the list - and may God continue to b...Thank you for the list - and may God continue to bless you & your family. And of course that includes Jack, who remains cradled sweetly in God's arms.<br />-AnnMomobughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07871686625134843602noreply@blogger.com