Friday, September 05, 2008

Our Heartbreaking Loss

For anyone who might be confused by the sudden number of comments, I will post what has been posted over at RevGals:

One of our sons, one of the joys and lights of our lives, died Tuesday night in Chicago. He had turned 24 the day before. He leaves behind his devasted parents, twin brother and younger sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, all of whom who have surrounded us and filled our home with food and companonship and love, but cannot bring him back to us.

I have read the many comments here and elsewhere and for now, I simply thank you all for your presence and prayers.

"If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there."

84 comments:

QuakerPastor said...

Please know that I too am praying for you and your family.
Quaker Pastor

Anonymous said...

My heart is heavy and prayers don't seem adequate. You have been in my thoughts near constantly.

Di said...

Oh, Gannet, I don't have words, just tears. I'm so sorry.

Tripp Hudgins said...

God be with you all.

Shalom...

RevAnne said...

Words fail me.
My heart breaks for you.
You and yours are in our prayers.

Sally said...

continuing in prayer

Rev Dr Mom said...

Holding you and your family in my prayers...

Lori said...

Still praying for you here.

Anonymous said...

No words.


We love you and hold you.

Rainbow Pastor said...

Oh GG, I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through...You are in my thoughts and prayers.
(((GG)))

Kitty B said...

My eyes are teared for you. Prayers are going up for you.

Anonymous said...

{{{{{{}}}}}}
You and your family have been in my thoughts since I heard the news.

steve said...

I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Bad Alice said...

I have no words except that I will pray for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

My heart is so heavy for you and your family, GG. You are in my thoughts and prayers constantly.

more cows than people said...

Oh my God... I am so terribly saddened by this news. I am lifting you all to light.

Oh, GG, you will be powerfully in my heart. Powerfully.

((((GG)))))

Ruby said...

I am so sorry for your loss.

1-4 Grace said...

Our prayers continue for you and your family. Please know of the symphathy, love, and concern which surround you.

Ruth said...

Oh my God!
Know that I am praying for all of you.

Mary Beth said...

Praying, praying. Lifting you up.

will smama said...

Lord, hear our anguished prayers...

LutheranChik said...

Words fail. But may God's abiding presence and help be with you all during this time.

alto artist said...

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Wishing you peace, strength, and all comfort.

--aa.

Anonymous said...

Gannet,

You and your family are in my prayers.

PrJoolie said...

love your choice of Ps 139 - God is there, even when we are in despair. I will hold you & your family in the light.

Julie said...

I'm so, so very sorry for your heartbreak. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Rev Kim said...

We are praying for you here, too. So, so very sorry.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

even at the farthest limits - God's hand will lead you. (Psalm 139)

prayers..........

Stratoz said...

GG--- this morning I opened an e-mail from Kathyryn J. Expecting a response about something I had posted at her site, I was asked if I knew you IRL. Then the news. I responded to her as tears filled my eyes, as they do again now. I said I had not known you in real life, and then thought about that all day. These tears are real. The truth that I have no idea how you feel now is real. The fear that I will feel that way one day is real. You have traveled with me in my real life and I am a better person for that.

Peace be with you.

your friend,

Wayne

Lovie said...

Oh Robin, I am so, so sorry. I have no word58s, so thank God for prayers of the heart. My heart will be in prayer for you and your family.
leenora

Lovie said...

One more thing Robin. I didn't publish your name but I posted a Mitford that one of our members was suffering a terrible loss and to please be praying. I know they will follow through.

Terri said...

I think of you and your family often during my day, even though we don't know each other except through the blog...in that way I am praying without ceasing for you.

Rev SS said...

heavy heart, no words .. thankful God interprets the moans ... may you experience God's presence every moment

Unknown said...

Continuing to pray for you and for your family. So, so sorry.

Kathryn said...

No words but many prayers

God_Guurrlll said...

I am praying for you. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

Peace and love,

emmapeelDallas said...

Words aren't adequate...I am so, so sorry for your loss...

Judi

Cynthia said...

I am so sorry. You all are in my prayers.

RevDrKate said...

Continuing to pray for you and your family. My congregation will lift you up tomorrow.

Deb said...

A love and prayers blogstone:

<3 & \o/

Deb

Anonymous said...

Holding you and your family in prayer and love in the depths of a sorrow we can't imagine.
((0))

Jennifer said...

More prayers and tears and hopes that God will hold you close.

Anonymous said...

I am still thinking of and praying with you. Sending much love.

Michelle said...

Prayers are ever arising for you...especially in the long hours of the night.

Anonymous said...

Robin, I'm holding you and your family in my constant thoughts.

Anonymous said...

There are no words ...
... you are all in my prayers.
Kathy of Flamingo Row

Anonymous said...

I am so saddened by your loss. My mother's heart goes out to you. I can only keep you in my prayers as you go through these coming days and pray for peace in your heart.

Pat Morse
DukeFan on the Mitford BB

Law+Gospel said...

I have you in my constant prayers- may God's embrace be ever present. At times like this words fail and I can only implore God to hear what is in our hearts and minds. My heart is overflowing for you and yours. ((0))

Anonymous said...

O God our Father, your beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them. Give us grace, we pray, that we may entrust this child to your never-failing care and love.

In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us your aid, so we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone on before us; your your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Ellen said...

I only know you as Brevard from the Mitford BB. Someone posted that one of our member suffered a loss...and mentioned seminary studies....I checked your blog, which I had bookmarked and read that it was indeed your son who was called "home." My heart goes out to you and your family in your loss and grief. God bless you. God strengthen you...and God hold you in His everlasting love.

E. Garrard

Anonymous said...

"Be gentle with yourself."

Jennifer said...

If I should shrink back from the light
So I can sink into the dark
If I take cover and I close my eyes
Even then You would see my heart
And You'd cut through all my pain and rage
The darkness is not dark to You
And night's as bright as day
Nothing is beyond You

(Rich Mullins, written and roughly recorded just prior to his unexpected death)

You must be standing now in a place of pain and rage. May you find the God of light and love there to hold you.

We will pray and pray and pray...

revkjarla said...

prayers for you. we went thru this with my 19 year nephew in January. he was the light of our lives. love, support, love, blessings, support, and in the abyss of pain and grief more love and presence.

Theresa Williams said...

Oh, I am absolutely stunned. I am so sorry to read of this. My thoughts are with you.

Virginia said...

I had to read this multiple times before it sunk in what you were saying. I am so sorry for your family's loss.

Virginia

Anonymous said...

You've been on my mind and heart ever since I heard the devastating news. I'm so sorry for you and your family....

Bambi from Mitford BB

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

GG - no words seem adequate just now, but you continue in prayer.

John, an unlikely pastor said...

Peace to you all in the Name of Jesus Christ.
May you find good people to sit with you in your grief.
Pax
Unlikely

Rev Deb said...

I am so so sorry. I found John Bell's song "There is a Place" to give some comfort after the death of my 21 year old son four years ago.
Know that a strong cloud of prayer enfolds you as you walk the days ahead.

Anonymous said...

Psalm 121 amd my loving heart to you.

There are no adequate words, but prayers are frequent from this heart.

Eve

Judith HeartSong said...

Robin, saying I am so sorry is not nearly enough, but I am so sorry and am glad that you all have the shelter of friends and loved ones in this terribly and sad time. I am thinking of all of you and am sending love and gentle light.

Ellyn said...

My deepest condolences on your tragic loss.
Continuing prayers offered.
Ellyn
Mitford BB

Anonymous said...

Dearest Robin -

You and your family are in my heart and my thoughts. I hope that you can find some strength and comfort in all the love that surrounds you. I am deeply, deeply saddened by your loss. Please know my thoughts are with you.

Love -
Kat

applesofgold said...

You guys are in my prayers...may His peace comfort you. May His loving arms hold you closely.

Jenny (applesofgold from Mitford)

Anonymous said...

I've never really focused on Psalm 139 before and just read it again and then toured some theology sites because I never trust my own interpretation fully. I'm not sure in what sense you used it but hope it was for the implication that God is everywhere even when he seems completely absent.

I am praying with you and for you - still near constantly.

Anonymous said...

I can't find words but have been praying for you and your family.

Anna said...

I am praying for you and your family.

Anna (staying6)

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your devastating loss. My mother's heart aches for you. I am for you and yours.praying
In Christ,
Laura Cimmino
LauraCmomof2 on Mitford BB

Anonymous said...

Much love from an old Mitford friend. My heart aches for all of you.

Mary Beth said...

Continuing to pray.

Anonymous said...

Holding you in the light.

Unknown said...

Thinking of you and praying for you, today especially.

Althea N. Agape said...

Praying extra today.

Teri said...

praying for peace today--and for the coming days which may very well be harder. ((((GG))))

Anonymous said...

Praying with you and for you, especially today.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Continued prayers for grace in all the pain and loss. Every day,as I see your name in my blogsaves, I hold you in prayer.

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Gannet Girl,
Lighting a candlea for your family today.

Dr. Laura Marie Grimes said...

Praying for you all as you remember and bid farewell to your beloved son, Gannet Girl.

Mary Beth said...

Special prayers for you all today.

Lisa :-] said...

Thinking of you especially today... My heart is heavy for you. May the presence of friends, family, and so many prayers and thoughts from across the country uphold you today.

Anonymous said...

I have never met you, nor you me, but I am grieving with you.

Sally said...

Just to let you know that I continue to hold you in prayer...

alphawoman said...

Robin I am so sorry and my heartbreaks for you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Waterfall said...

I am so sorry. I am just catching up on your blog and scrolled back to find out what had happened. You and your family are in my prayers.