tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post809236237703900387..comments2024-02-11T02:09:23.512-08:00Comments on An Inch of Gray: UncommonAnna Whiston-Donaldsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-21781545535044957882013-05-26T00:34:33.331-07:002013-05-26T00:34:33.331-07:00The rock story made me tear. Jack is a special chi...The rock story made me tear. Jack is a special child who must have been such a blessing in his short life. And he continues to be one now through the stories you share. Thank you for that. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-44860108198837036692013-04-21T06:35:26.244-07:002013-04-21T06:35:26.244-07:00Wonderfully written. I wish footballs, baseballs, ...Wonderfully written. I wish footballs, baseballs, and hockey pucks were painted neon orange, too. I am so thankful for your blog, I absolutely love your posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-32663653516990444412013-04-05T13:23:11.970-07:002013-04-05T13:23:11.970-07:00Anna, this post is in your top 5. Beautifully writ...Anna, this post is in your top 5. Beautifully written, disarmingly subtle, and a just the medicine I needed. <br /><br />Now, I just need to stop crying. Hugs to you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01728920369928437728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-17702886955375267522013-04-03T19:25:20.179-07:002013-04-03T19:25:20.179-07:00Just so beautiful. Jack. You and Jack. All of it. ...Just so beautiful. Jack. You and Jack. All of it. <br />Thank you for your words, your heart, Anna.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01897963154223770756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-63082106956070446552013-04-01T17:56:24.631-07:002013-04-01T17:56:24.631-07:00I had no idea what I was going to do with Nico whe...I had no idea what I was going to do with Nico when they told me I was going to have a boy. But when he came, I couldn't imagine him as anything but how he was. It's crazy how that happens to us. <br /><br />Jack was uncommon. He was a beautiful boy, a beautiful soul. Like his mother.Masala Chicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04713762033892464889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-20450729056301711632013-04-01T17:19:27.273-07:002013-04-01T17:19:27.273-07:00For some reason, everything today reminded me of J...For some reason, everything today reminded me of Jack. It was bitter sweet. I'm sending you hope and prayers. Princess Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868992133684014734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-70621752145112482672013-04-01T12:56:22.317-07:002013-04-01T12:56:22.317-07:00So much love and pain in these comments today. My ...So much love and pain in these comments today. My heart goes out for those who have lost a precious loved one.Anna Whiston-Donaldsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14921348961654008115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-5984553802213583982013-04-01T08:32:09.773-07:002013-04-01T08:32:09.773-07:00Was posting this today in honor of April being Nat...Was posting this today in honor of April being National Poetry Month, and thought of you, thought of Jack.<br /><br />Bird<br /><br />It was passed from one bird to another,<br />the whole gift of the day.<br />The day went from flute to flute,<br />went dressed in vegetation,<br />in flights which opened a tunnel<br />through the wind would pass<br />to where birds were breaking open<br />the dense blue air -<br />and there, night came in.<br /><br />When I returned from so many journeys,<br />I stayed suspended and green<br />between sun and geography -<br />I saw how wings worked,<br />how perfumes are transmitted<br />by feathery telegraph,<br />and from above I saw the path,<br />the springs and the roof tiles,<br />the fishermen at their trades,<br />the trousers of the foam;<br />I saw it all from my green sky.<br />I had no more alphabet<br />than the swallows in their courses,<br />the tiny, shining water<br />of the small bird on fire<br />which dances out of the pollen.<br /><br />- Pablo NerudaRing Torrence Staffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04101225358535897616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-43050937831047757662013-04-01T05:38:14.073-07:002013-04-01T05:38:14.073-07:00http://www.momentmatters.com/best-moment-award-sae...http://www.momentmatters.com/best-moment-award-saehd/<br />award nominationAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-11558421262761301872013-03-31T19:32:26.421-07:002013-03-31T19:32:26.421-07:00I lost my sweet, precious 11 yr old son last year....I lost my sweet, precious 11 yr old son last year. Your blog has been so helpful to me. It is so real with so many of the same feelings I have. I have twin boys that are 14 & they will never fully understand how they have saved my life from compete dispair. It is just so hard.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-73085979667300367672013-03-30T22:39:08.552-07:002013-03-30T22:39:08.552-07:00You always make me cry. This is gorgeous. I love...You always make me cry. This is gorgeous. I love you - as a teacher, a mom and a person.<br /><br />I was scared of my first boy. By the third one, it got a little easier ;-)anymommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317877435130121894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-4607323271870448962013-03-30T11:46:59.556-07:002013-03-30T11:46:59.556-07:00What a beautiful post. I was awake thinking of you...What a beautiful post. I was awake thinking of you and your Jack last night. I am so sorry that you were only able to catch a glimpse of that wonderful man your Jack was sure to become but by sharing this glimpse with the rest of us, you have made a lasting impression. I often wonder how you do what you do here, share with us all so openly and honestly, but please know that both you and Jack change the way we see the world, comfort others and love our families. You are both blessings to us all. XOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-8099651624732152862013-03-30T09:46:32.115-07:002013-03-30T09:46:32.115-07:00oh that face of Jack is so so handsome and preciou...oh that face of Jack is so so handsome and precious.<br /><br />I forgot. <br />Can you share my blog or warn about washing machines for me? Please?<br /><br />I feel connected to you as a friend and mother because so few can really empathize with me on the feelings I have from the way Ollie died...drowning. yucky. I often wonder what it was like...makes me sick.<br />The Hebbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17906330838650590140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-56295500490057627022013-03-30T09:41:25.169-07:002013-03-30T09:41:25.169-07:00ANNA
Thank you for always commenting on my blog......ANNA<br />Thank you for always commenting on my blog...I had looked up your blog a couple of times but never knew you lost a child until today...as I was so consumed in my own grief. your jack is such a handsome, sweet boy. <br />Im so sorry you had to experience the horrible feelings of anxiety, and panic and complete despair the day your son drowned. such trauma to your mom-heart. <br />We are strong because we have to be. I send you strength today, to make it through one more day. <br />Love to you my grieving mother friend-stupid club we are inThe Hebbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17906330838650590140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-28699348649867904022013-03-30T03:30:25.766-07:002013-03-30T03:30:25.766-07:00"Just mom and Jack, seeing what the day held...."Just mom and Jack, seeing what the day held." <br />That line brought me back 30 years. I was hoping for a girl too, when I was pregnant with Nick. And of course once he was born, I was completely in love with him. For almost four years, until our girl was born, it was just mom and Nick, seeing what the day held. Precious, precious times. <br />A beautiful post Anna, a beautiful boy. Gerinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-50532295664803491432013-03-29T16:24:29.342-07:002013-03-29T16:24:29.342-07:00I love reading your stories of Jack, Anna. I feel ...I love reading your stories of Jack, Anna. I feel like I am getting to know him through your memories which you so selflessly share. I wish I would have had a chance to meet him in person, but I feel honored to have an opportunity to get to know such an extraordinary young man via your writing. Jennhttp://www.bipolarmomlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-664507729892467192013-03-29T15:55:32.296-07:002013-03-29T15:55:32.296-07:00I had a similar 20 week sonogram experience with O...I had a similar 20 week sonogram experience with Oliver. I ALWAYS thought I'd have a girl first. Which is funny since as a babysitter, I always loved those quirky little boys. Miss you!Kate Coveny Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006589284938683965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-68235799426807329002013-03-29T08:15:50.511-07:002013-03-29T08:15:50.511-07:00Fabulous post.Fabulous post.Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09275456448997619944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-83004425364997075142013-03-29T04:39:47.263-07:002013-03-29T04:39:47.263-07:00Your sister's remark made me choke up with tea...Your sister's remark made me choke up with tears.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12586581766383380976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-60238519082220569382013-03-28T20:59:54.179-07:002013-03-28T20:59:54.179-07:00boys.....you gotta love 'em!boys.....you gotta love 'em!karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03107392518652461240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-24180913076919551072013-03-28T19:57:45.230-07:002013-03-28T19:57:45.230-07:00a common rock from an uncommon boy. i love it--an...a common rock from an uncommon boy. i love it--and as a teacher myself, i would just love to get that rock. Jack truly comes to life through your words. :)dwerrleinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05917174708039425122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-86569346297692763002013-03-28T19:56:08.270-07:002013-03-28T19:56:08.270-07:00Anna, I wish I had your gift for words to tell you...Anna, I wish I had your gift for words to tell you how much you move me with every sentence. <br /><br />I have 3 boys under the age of 6. I have 4 sisters. The world of boys was so foreign to me, before I had my sons. A totally uncharted territory.<br /><br />I've never read words that better capture the beauty and love of the 'boyness', that you experienced as you raised Jack. <br /><br />You were so lucky to have each other. He clearly taught you things you already knew. I wish from deep down in my soul that he were still with you, so that you could both continue to teach each other the same way. I know you'll be able to do so, somewhere Out There.<br /><br />Much Love to you and your Beautiful FamilySarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13295467337972216142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-39795223339508316112013-03-28T14:39:41.917-07:002013-03-28T14:39:41.917-07:00I love, love, love this story. Well, I should say ...I love, love, love this story. Well, I should say stories. But especially the one about the common rock. <br /><br />{I cried when I first found out I was having a boy, too}Michelle DeRushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359712465784943599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-33270027622731980272013-03-28T13:51:40.163-07:002013-03-28T13:51:40.163-07:00I hope that this will continue to be a safe place ...I hope that this will continue to be a safe place for those who need it, whether to share their burdens or to celebrate little victories. <br /><br />I hope that people will continue to feel that anything they have to say will be heard with respect, especially in holy week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334921515741798160.post-84513178832123364562013-03-28T12:19:46.450-07:002013-03-28T12:19:46.450-07:00A little vocabulary lesson for you:
I believe you...A little vocabulary lesson for you:<br /><br />I believe you meant "torturous" not "tortuous" in your recent Momastery post.<br /><br />Just a little tip for someone who speaks about teaching English in the past.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com