tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post6011936349709940483..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: Is That How it Works?Anna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-45423585292666744972013-01-09T09:28:44.257-08:002013-01-09T09:28:44.257-08:00Oh my. Just started reading your blog yesterday an...Oh my. Just started reading your blog yesterday and this is prob the most moving post. My great-grandmother always told me, "Samantha, just remember half your life will be tough but if you make it through, the other half will be great and it's up to you to chose how you handle each of them. Prayers for you're family and sweet Margaret.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09176866555726417149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-57083962757181447662012-11-12T08:20:49.178-08:002012-11-12T08:20:49.178-08:00Prayers for you today. And thanks for helping me ...Prayers for you today. And thanks for helping me remember what's important.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461166904063545827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-549504757007637292012-11-03T15:33:42.269-07:002012-11-03T15:33:42.269-07:00I wrote this blog post awhile back about my little...I wrote this blog post awhile back about my little boy dealing with the loss of his brother. I don't know if it will help you or not, but I thought I would share it with you. www.crazyeverydayblessings.blogspot.com/2011/10/little-pieces-of-sebastians-heart.htmlKari C in SChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03612685744264381063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-87445143777893886472012-11-03T15:28:15.088-07:002012-11-03T15:28:15.088-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Kari C in SChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03612685744264381063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-18896989020030967752012-11-03T15:26:03.254-07:002012-11-03T15:26:03.254-07:00I have been following your blog for a while now. I...I have been following your blog for a while now. I lost my 21 year old son in a car accident 2.5 years ago. He left behind a 5 year old brother and an 11 year old sister. That first year for my youngest son was extremely hard. He was angry and could cry at the drop of a hat. It finally occurred to me that if "I" wanted to cry all day, then why should I think he would be any better. The second year eased some of his anger, but the pain is still there. My daughter took the roll of being strong for mama. They are homeschooled - so there really was never a time I could hide and cry. I would try to not cry in front of them all the time, but there were those days - that the tears could not be stopped. She was always, always there to hold onto me. One night, I thought she was asleep and I just was just sobbing in my bed. She came running in and crawled into bed with me and stayed. It is HARD for siblings. Like you, I had another tragedy earlier in life. My sister-in-law (best friend) was murdered. I remember thinking that there was no way this could be real. I couldn't have to survive losing not one, but two people I loved in a tragic way. I now realize that there are no promises. I still hurt and I still miss my child like crazy, but I do have more better days than I did. My kids are doing better, but I still watch very carefully to be sure I am not missing something. I wish we didn't share this story in our lives, but I am glad to not be alone in some small way.Kari C in SChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03612685744264381063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-48534616792573298512012-10-29T13:06:47.315-07:002012-10-29T13:06:47.315-07:00This cuts to the quick, Anna. But it's oh-so-t...This cuts to the quick, Anna. But it's oh-so-true. Bless you all, especially Margaret, as she fast-forwards to such painful truths and realities. I'm so sorry.Jananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-36272466822089365392012-10-28T22:28:54.310-07:002012-10-28T22:28:54.310-07:00oh Margaret, and Anna and Tim and Jack, me too.
E...oh Margaret, and Anna and Tim and Jack, me too. <br />Emily H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-71539676779154948192012-10-25T18:09:02.555-07:002012-10-25T18:09:02.555-07:00We’ve been meaning to donate some money in honor o...We’ve been meaning to donate some money in honor of Jack…is there any place to do that? Still Samaritan’s purse or is there some specific fund?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-3177893783032497132012-10-25T14:10:18.540-07:002012-10-25T14:10:18.540-07:00I believe in you and Margaret and Tim. With all my...I believe in you and Margaret and Tim. With all my heart. Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01897963154223770756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-38413718354412155722012-10-25T10:37:46.651-07:002012-10-25T10:37:46.651-07:00Margaret seems like a very observant, thoughtful g...Margaret seems like a very observant, thoughtful girl. With a comment like that she is bound to end up all right. And anyway, she has a big brother angel watching out for her now. Elizabeth Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384382658321515204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-63525203013223961432012-10-25T09:48:34.496-07:002012-10-25T09:48:34.496-07:00Thank you for sharing this. As a mother of childr...Thank you for sharing this. As a mother of children the same ages as yours, it's pretty easy for me to imagine the pain and suffering you are going through. But dear Margaret. I will pray for her more specifically in my future prayers. She seems like an amazing and insightful child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-85505405529065306172012-10-24T10:17:44.341-07:002012-10-24T10:17:44.341-07:00Oh my. Anna, I so remember thinking just like Ma...Oh my. Anna, I so remember thinking just like Margaret. Hope the odds would play in my favor, that my ticket would NOT come up again so that I could have a good adulthood.<br />I am so grateful to offer her good news! I LOVE adulthood. It has hard spots. But it is good, great even.<br /><br />We all work with internal statistics. We are naturally INductive thinkers. We base our best guesses about how the world works on what we've previously experienced. The problem is that even those of us that are pretty good at math sometimes forget to include ALL of the data in our calculation. It will take some time to help her to remember to 'zoom out' and think about the ratio of good to bad things in life. Right it is all thrown off, but over time that will change. Focusing on the good will help to see that number change.<br /><br />Too much math for a writer... maybe... but I've been studying all about the new Common Core State Standards Initiative so it seem appropriate to throw out some applied math :)<br /><br />Love love love you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-45760208638767754092012-10-24T07:54:18.723-07:002012-10-24T07:54:18.723-07:00Dear Margaret,
As unfathomable as it may seem at ...Dear Margaret,<br /><br />As unfathomable as it may seem at the moment, you will be happy again. Overflowing joy, glee and happiness. It will happen.<br /><br />No doubt there will be times in the future when you'll feel sad or uncertain. But you've got through the absolute worst that life can throw at you. You can get through anything. There's a certain strength that comes from knowing that.<br /><br />It also gives you a perspective. You cherish and savour the good times. You cherish the times you have with the people you love. <br /><br />It sucks beyond words that you've had to learn these lessons so early. I am so sorry. But you have a great future ahead of you. You're going to make your brother so proud.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-58778361824773566632012-10-24T06:49:15.788-07:002012-10-24T06:49:15.788-07:00I know you know this, but just in case you need to...I know you know this, but just in case you need to hear it -- Margaret is not having a crappy childhood. This, the loss of Jack, is the most craptastic pile of crappiness. And she's gone from having a great childhood to having a desperately hard one because of it. But not crappy, because she has you and Tim and your extended family. She will realize that (she probably does now on some level), but I hope you do, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-88023462362240796712012-10-24T06:43:30.539-07:002012-10-24T06:43:30.539-07:00You know - there might be a method to Margaret'...You know - there might be a method to Margaret's maddness... I know friends where the boyfriend now husband sucked as a boyfriend but rocks it out as a husband & vice versa.<br /><br />Huge hugs & prayers to your family... ALIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07079095055493281932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-38487099383701273012012-10-23T21:55:53.322-07:002012-10-23T21:55:53.322-07:00Often its the deepest pain which empowers you to g...Often its the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self. ~Karen Salmansohn notsalmon.com<br /><br /><br />I saw this on my FB wall after reading your blog tonight. Thought it was fitting.<br /><br />jenlarjenlar3https://www.blogger.com/profile/16171864977252002343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-50307185104625376852012-10-23T21:08:52.418-07:002012-10-23T21:08:52.418-07:00sweet girl....tears for her. hugs for you all. s...sweet girl....tears for her. hugs for you all. she is a smart cookie - I believe there is a balance to life somehow and good WILL come to her. I hate the unsatiated (is this a word?) loneliness she must feel. I hate it... Jack is reaching out to you through that computer, I believe it. I have had the exact same issue with mine since my mom passed and usually only when I was typing about her or in some way related to her...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-21046279509451276812012-10-23T20:40:05.369-07:002012-10-23T20:40:05.369-07:00I hope her adulthood is filled with many blessings...I hope her adulthood is filled with many blessings and goodness. She has suffered greatly. I hope she remembers the bible passage that resonated with her. She will gain strength...strength she never knew she could have...<br /><br />Thinking of you all. Sorry to hear that there has been other strife lately.Lisahttp://www.betweenhopeandahardplace.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-21989980677193960782012-10-23T20:24:00.123-07:002012-10-23T20:24:00.123-07:00Oh Anna I hope she does too. She has a great life...Oh Anna I hope she does too. She has a great life ahead. Love to you all. MargeeMargeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-62475691491185997702012-10-23T18:05:08.838-07:002012-10-23T18:05:08.838-07:00I am always amazed at Margaret's insight. She...I am always amazed at Margaret's insight. She has an old soul. I work with somebody like that. She is at least fifteen years my junior and some of her observations stop me in my tracks. Years from now, Margaret will have a perspective that is light years beyond her age. It will serve her well.A Speckled Trouthttp://www.aspeckledtrout.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-6029056426262960772012-10-23T17:17:28.423-07:002012-10-23T17:17:28.423-07:00I keep coming back and rereading this because I fe...I keep coming back and rereading this because I felt exactly like margaret did, right up until 3 years ago when our son died. That I'd had a fairly shitty childhood, and that I would somehow get a pass on big pain for my adult life. Not sure where that core belief came from, but it was something I wailed about more than a few nights. I'd already paid my dues, life had extracted it's pound of flesh or whatever. Not fair, not fair. I don't have a clue how it works. The mystery of life. Indeed.Gerinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33116318348404413452012-10-23T13:16:29.440-07:002012-10-23T13:16:29.440-07:00We're reading "The Lion, the Witch and th...We're reading "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and I am thinking so much of you and yours. We're nearing the end and I've dog earred so many pages in this last chapter with you in mind. xo<br /><br />PS: don't forget that a flat in London is ready for you anytime.andnowwearesixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17846071967054841815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-22971286222083804612012-10-23T12:54:25.735-07:002012-10-23T12:54:25.735-07:00Thank you for sharing your journey, your pain, you...Thank you for sharing your journey, your pain, your trials and your joy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-54803877686156115982012-10-23T12:46:01.572-07:002012-10-23T12:46:01.572-07:00Oh Anna, she will. She has an amazing Mom and Dad ...Oh Anna, she will. She has an amazing Mom and Dad showering her with tons of love. She has so many people known and unknown to her praying for her. She has a heavenly Father who will bless her life, even in the midst of this horrendous tragedy. Sending you a HUGE hug from Purcellville.Kim Poncinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-5887872374370361092012-10-23T12:32:05.574-07:002012-10-23T12:32:05.574-07:00“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches i...“Hope” is the thing with feathers -<br />That perches in the soul -<br />And sings the tune without the words -<br />And never stops - at all -<br /><br />...And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -<br />And sore must be the storm -<br />That could abash the little Bird<br />That kept so many warm -<br /><br />I’ve heard it in the chillest land -<br />And on the strangest Sea -<br />Yet - never - in Extremity,<br />It asked a crumb - of me.<br />~Emily DickinsonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com