It is Thankful Thursday!
Thank you, Gretchen, at Living in Savannah 2 for bringing this wonderful tradition into my life.
For those of you not familiar with Gretchen or her story, let me fill you in.
Last year, on the Friday before Memorial Day, the last day of school for her kids, Gretchen's middle son, Matt, age 11, was standing on the corner of their property and street waiting for his younger brother, Justin (now 8) to be dropped off of his bus.
Matthew was killed by a reckless driving neighbor, who lost control of his car and hit Matt.
Tomorrow, Justin and his older sister Caitlin (15) will come home from their last day of school, and Matthew will not be there. Saturday, is the One Year Anniversary of Matt's death.
As you can imagine... this is a tough time for Gretchen, her husband Ben and the kids. They are living every parents worst nightmare. And, yet they live on, with grace and strength unsurpassed.
In fact, the whole year has been filled with highs and lows. Gretchen completed her schooling, got her LPN license and a great new job; yet, Ben's dad crossed over to join Matt.
Please, remember to obey the speed limits posted in residential areas, and be safe this Memorial Weekend.
Please stop by Gretchen's blog at the link above and lend her support at this tough time.
My Thankful Things...
1. My kids, their smiles, their joy, their hugs and laughter.
2. My Hubby for his support and love.
3. My parents for their love, support and daily assistance in my health struggles.
4. My Kathy and Karol, sister of my heart and the best cousin around, you are both always there for me.
5. J-land & my email Loopies - your support and friendship give me strength and inspiration.
be well,
Dawn
15 comments:
This sounds familar? Ben crossed over??? How/Why? She lost her son & husband in one year?
I'll stop by her journal.
Last night they had on Dateline I think how parents are running over their own kids with their SUVs because of the blind spots around them low. They were showing each SUV & the distance that you can see & some where you could not see up to 6 feet in front of you! Very scary!!!! They had parents of one child kid. The father only went 3 ft but ran over his own son. I don't know how your spirit/heart keeps you going with that. And they seemed to be still married which you know something like that many times tears people apart. The guilt man....Prayers for all parents who have lost a child for any reason today!
http://journals.aol.com/psychfun/MeThinksTooMuch/
My New One:
Oh gosh.. What a nightmare to go through.. I will have to drop by and visit your friend's journal. Unfortunately, it always seems it takes someone elses tragedy to remember never to take life for granted.. So sad. Take care now - Julie
Oh I see Ben's dad...sorry.
I actually just read about Matt while journal hopping this morning. Matt and another little girl have the same anniversary this weekend.
May Gretchen be blessed with the strength and power to continue on. May Matt be the guardian angel watching over his mom and family. God Bless them all.
Ellen
Ya know, I have been feeling pretty pissed off about stuff at work today. Then I read your entry Dawn. What a wake up call, I aint got no problems at all! I am so lucky, but it takes something like this to remind me how lucky I am...... My thougts are with Gretchen and her family. Hugs, Gaz xxxx
Hope you have a good weekend!
loving you
karyl
I visit her blog, but never knew the full story of what happened to her son. Thank you dear one for filling me in. I will definitely be going by to lend here even more support. (Hugs) Indigo
I cannot imagine life without my kid. Yes, everyone....please drive carefully. And there is no excuse for drunk driving! None. --Cin
((Dawn))
Thank you so very much for this entry....it means more than I could ever say. Also thank you for always being here for me as I'm always here for you.
Hugs,
Gretchen
Goodness, Dawn, I never knew Gretchen's story....yikes, that is a nightmare yet she started thankful Thursday, I'll pop over. HUGS Chris
great entry:) thank you for remembering Gretchen she is one special lady:) as you are too Dawn:)
Deb
Thank you for taking time to write about Gretchen. Hugs,
Lisa
I've heard losing a child is the hardest thing in the world to overcome. I just can't imagine how Gretchen survived that.
Hug,
Russ
A friend of mine, has lost a Sister who died at the age of 12 because of a hit and run and a bother, who was found deadn in the shower because of a brain tumour.
My friend, had sort of come through, some days, you see the pain in her eyes, but her Mum? She has never recovered, the stress made her and her husband split up and she is totaly wrecked. No paretn EVER thinks they will out live their children. I feel her pain, everytime I see her.
Gaz xxx
my heart literally skiped a beat at that story
Marti
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