tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post506430654194231711..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: Ugly TruthAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-78009306095749959612012-02-23T16:51:11.040-08:002012-02-23T16:51:11.040-08:00I can't imagine feeling any other way if I los...I can't imagine feeling any other way if I lost my child. As always, I appreciate your truth! Thank you for the great reminders of how Jack lived. Sooo wish I had known that kid!<br />Annie P.prenni5https://www.blogger.com/profile/18346493728216305697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-50557451398452270672012-02-10T11:38:17.268-08:002012-02-10T11:38:17.268-08:00What a heartfelt blog and so sad and yet positive ...What a heartfelt blog and so sad and yet positive too.. you are starting to feel again after the dreadful deep despair of losing your lovely boy.. God I don't know how I would have coped losing one of mine, but you are coping in little bits day by day... hat off to you, however hard it is you are managing to do it and keep your family close and your husband too.. my thoughts are with you and a huge hug coming your way to let you know that we are all thinking of you despite not knowing you... have a peaceful weekend.janzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11061408016373122220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-42972926990717898542012-02-08T20:44:37.827-08:002012-02-08T20:44:37.827-08:00Yes, completely understandable. I cry so hard when...Yes, completely understandable. I cry so hard when I read your posts. You are amazing Anna, and your Jack is one lucky boy to have had you as a mom. We would all feel that way. Even though you are grieving, you still glow with joy. I'm amazed at how this is possible. But it is.Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17167049879205797424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-46218089098878618172012-02-04T10:33:05.850-08:002012-02-04T10:33:05.850-08:00Sending love. Lots of love.Sending love. Lots of love.tracey.becker1@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606831315390042198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33575799499174303282012-02-02T12:14:38.810-08:002012-02-02T12:14:38.810-08:00i know this is not what you signed up for but in r...i know this is not what you signed up for but in reading these comments you are a voice for so many... you are teaching others how to grieve...i keep praying for you all and hoping that you are able to have some happy moments. Hang in there friend... you will make it!!!miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00679307359908744042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-17650441243588083312012-02-02T05:32:14.801-08:002012-02-02T05:32:14.801-08:00Yeah,
I have real feelings, too. When I hear othe...Yeah,<br /><br />I have real feelings, too. When I hear other people are pregnant, it's not that I don't want them to be, but I want to be. Not the same. But kinda.<br /><br />Keep plugging, Anna. Keep plugging. My thoughts are with you, Tim and Margaret as always.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17172613494968756813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-1025351729078899432012-02-02T04:01:40.498-08:002012-02-02T04:01:40.498-08:00I can't imagine anyone would expect you to sha...I can't imagine anyone would expect you to share their joy anytime soon... you do and feel what you need to and don't worry even a little bit about what other people think. I know as women that is hard, and seems selfish and out of character, but it's what you have to do to survive and come out on the other side...Orangies Attichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660098760472794657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-3388972941213966782012-02-01T10:47:32.416-08:002012-02-01T10:47:32.416-08:00Dear Anna,
As far as I understand, this feeling i...Dear Anna,<br /><br />As far as I understand, this feeling is completely normal. I'm so sorry you have to experience this. All of this. <br /><br />Wishing you the best, knowing that, short of getting Jack back, nothing will do. So sorry...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-44639117631248543512012-01-31T20:07:56.195-08:002012-01-31T20:07:56.195-08:00I don't do those comments that are all 'I ...I don't do those comments that are all 'I want to hug you'..nothing wrong with them...I just don't do them and not for any real reason. Anyway. I want to hug you and in my mind I am. I'm hugging you hard and probably too long. I hope that isn't creepy. <br />I love you, Anna.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01897963154223770756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-21101189544479189902012-01-31T18:14:15.027-08:002012-01-31T18:14:15.027-08:00It's funny. You feel exactly as I know I would...It's funny. You feel exactly as I know I would.<br />And reading your posts every day (or as often as you post) makes me appreciate my own children. Makes me feel as though my little insignificant problems (no sleep) are just that. <br />I can't stop thinking of you. Of Jack.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389068555743575226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-17739794838557610002012-01-31T14:24:00.441-08:002012-01-31T14:24:00.441-08:00Anna, DO NOT beat yourself up about this. Honestly...Anna, DO NOT beat yourself up about this. Honestly, this is to be expected. Of course it hurts. To tell you the truth? If you didn't feel this way, at least part of the time, I would seriously wonder if you were actually human. I'm no grief counselor but I think that this is part of the process for someone that has lost a child. Especially and exceptional boy like Jack. Hang in there and I hope you feel our prayers-Always. xoI can't find my bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02613321200230079978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-91491347733089339322012-01-31T13:25:06.569-08:002012-01-31T13:25:06.569-08:00Dear Anna, your courage and strength leaves me so ...Dear Anna, your courage and strength leaves me so humble, i cant even begin how to inagine how you manage to get up each day let alone still smile for the sake of your husband and daughter when inside you must be breaking.There's that saying which probbaly doesnt help but i hope it gives you courage' it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'. every day must seem like eternity without your beautiful son. with love and constant thoughts and prayers from across the pond,Alice Lane,old friend of Mrs Rooney xalice lanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-48086552604814847712012-01-31T12:05:13.129-08:002012-01-31T12:05:13.129-08:00I recently watched a movie called Rabbit Hole, wit...I recently watched a movie called Rabbit Hole, with Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart. As the film draws to a close, Becca and Howie quietly discuss their plans. For the day? The weekend? Life?<br /><br />"So what are we gonna do?"<br /><br />"About what?"<br /><br />"I don't know, pick something."<br /><br />"Well...we could go to Village Toys tomorrow and pick up Candyland for Emily. That's probably something she'd like."<br /><br />"Okay, Candyland. That's a start. Then what?"<br /><br />"Then we wrap it."<br /><br />"Uh-huh."<br /><br />"And then on Sunday we go to the cookout, and we give her the gift, and we talk to Rick and Debbie, and to make them feel comfortable we ask the kids a bunch of questions about what they've been up to, and we'll pretend that we're really interested. And then we'll wait for Rick and/or Debbie to bring up Danny while the kids are playing in the rec-room. And maybe that'll go on for a little while. And after that we'll come home."<br /><br />.<br />..<br />...<br /><br /><br />"And then what?"<br /><br />"I don't know. Something though. We'll figure it out."<br /><br />"Will we?"<br /><br />"I think so. I think we will."<br /><br />I couldn't stop thinking about you and your family. I'm not typically a movie crier but for those 91 minutes, I just wept and wept and wept.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-76839470963886957202012-01-31T11:32:33.883-08:002012-01-31T11:32:33.883-08:00I had to run errands today during work and I saw a...I had to run errands today during work and I saw a boy and I thought about this exact thing. How horrid it would be to see him. How I would want to scream at the mom to appreciate him and if she didn't I'd want to destroy her for not doing so. I had a million thoughts like this. How angry other parents would make me... And then I came back to the office and read this post. Of course this is how you feel. I was just thinking that this must be how you feel. <br /><br />Every night that I work at the restaurant, I serve families and I am SO often prompted to quickly go to the back and pray for you. It just doesn't make sense and it's so unfair. And I'm so sorry.<br /><br />I'm amazed that you're trying to even think of being joyful for anyone else. <br /><br />I am always praying for the Lord to give you understanding and take the pain away.TheLabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805494195436969713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-78148807802946334232012-01-31T09:51:28.441-08:002012-01-31T09:51:28.441-08:00Dear Anna,
I just wanted to let you know that you ...Dear Anna,<br />I just wanted to let you know that you are constantly in my prayers. When Annika died three years ago, I went to see a chick flick with girlfriends. It was a comedy. I wondered what I was doing there and if I would ever really be able to enjoy anything fully ever again. It is a long, hard, painful journey. I pray for you when I see blue ribbons, when I am stabbed by my own pain (like when I found a Christmas present I had hidden for her), when I hear or see something that reminds me of you all, when I can't sleep in the middle of the night. I am so thankful that God has you close in His hands, that He has special moments for you. As I said, I just wanted to let you know I have been lifting you, Tim and Margaret up in prayer and will continue.<br />Love to you,<br />Michelle ArnoldMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17729191833696316866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-3856080931458753582012-01-31T09:50:36.155-08:002012-01-31T09:50:36.155-08:00Thank you, Anna, for your honest words. If we are ...Thank you, Anna, for your honest words. If we are honest, all of us live with much beauty inside. If we are honest, all of us also live with thoughts that are icky and ugly. <br /><br />Reflecting your own truth and discomfort with these real, raw thoughts allows us all to acknowledge that our truth is beauty.<br /><br />Love you.DawnGeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08225930487969097822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-34901170187776753792012-01-31T07:40:45.389-08:002012-01-31T07:40:45.389-08:00Thinking about you and praying for your family con...Thinking about you and praying for your family continuously. Jack has brought so many people closer to God and you have made me a better mom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-32241481484942875722012-01-31T06:58:02.222-08:002012-01-31T06:58:02.222-08:00Understand this.
Big Hugs.Understand this.<br /><br /><br />Big Hugs.That gentleman's ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14662660073866660544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-18469395540435314662012-01-31T06:50:27.580-08:002012-01-31T06:50:27.580-08:00Never feel bad for not sharing in others joy. As ...Never feel bad for not sharing in others joy. As people will say, life goes on, but that does not mean the pain is not there, or that you don't miss Jack every moment of every day still. Cherrish the memories you will always have and just take it day to day. The 'sharing others joy' will come later.Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15314998994060931863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-836751522846658522012-01-31T06:38:42.322-08:002012-01-31T06:38:42.322-08:00Wow..I cannot get over how much the first few line...Wow..I cannot get over how much the first few lines of this post hit home with me. It is EXACTLY how I feel at this moment in time. After losing my twin girls over the summer I am stuggling to be around friends and family that have kids and it's so hard to explain my emotions. You are an inspiration to me...Melissahttp://creatingconfidence.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-57867497716388425822012-01-31T06:26:49.029-08:002012-01-31T06:26:49.029-08:00I hear what you're saying. I feel the same wa...I hear what you're saying. I feel the same way. My son is sick with a very rare and serious cardiac condition and I look at other people with their healthy kids and don't want this for them or their kids.... I just want my son to not have to go through this. I want to scream at them "my son will die and will struggle everyday to live fully and as normally as possible until he does.. value the blessing you have". But then reading your story I also get that I need to listen to my own rantings... I have him right now and that is a blessing I have to cherish. Thank you for your honesty and bravery. Thank you for helping me regain perspective.Big Mommahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12691778671973044861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-81687510014567834832012-01-31T05:53:21.850-08:002012-01-31T05:53:21.850-08:00I cried when I read this post. I just want to hug...I cried when I read this post. I just want to hug you and make you whole again. God how I wish I could do that for you. Remember to be kind and thoughful to yourself and the sharing other people's joy will come in time.Princess Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868992133684014734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-37731008939541135822012-01-31T03:06:51.380-08:002012-01-31T03:06:51.380-08:00@Vickie Ingle-I am so so sorry for the loss of you...@Vickie Ingle-I am so so sorry for the loss of your son.Gerinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-30754257407556725392012-01-30T21:44:04.428-08:002012-01-30T21:44:04.428-08:00I think the only way to move through these (utterl...I think the only way to move through these (utterly understandable) feelings is to admit you feel them, and then they are no longer so powerful. Once again, your honesty and bravery are inspiring. Please keep sharing.agent99https://www.blogger.com/profile/12334005818736489335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-72460829794234916542012-01-30T19:22:29.607-08:002012-01-30T19:22:29.607-08:00Amen, Anna. Be brave and keep trying. Jack is a ...Amen, Anna. Be brave and keep trying. Jack is a wonderful role model for you and the rest of us! Praying for you, pulling for you and hoping that bitterness subsides. You are love; you are grace; you are beautiful. Keep holding on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com