Comments on: Still still here

By: Cousins Kathleen & Anita

Cousins Kathleen & Anita — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:09:09 +0000

Did you ever find the book “The Shack”? Perhaps this is the time to read it. It has the amazing capacity to shift paradigms and in so doing gives the ability to see life from a different angle. But prepare yourself for something totally unconventional and not at all “religious”!Look forward to the feedback!

By: Tiffany Keller

Tiffany Keller — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:13:35 +0000

I know nothing I can say will ease your pain exactly, but I hope you know that I am praying for you, and will never quit praying for you! Your family is always in my thoughts and prayers! God Bless!

By: R od & Margaret

R od & Margaret — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:47:31 +0000

Praying for you all – hang in there the old cliche time is a wonderful healer really is true. It is such a blessing to know that Aria is safe in the arms of Jesus, free from all pain. She, and yourselves became such a big part of our lives and only the other day we were wondering how you were doing. Grief has to run its course and as others have said, don’t be concerned how long this takes but know you have the love and prayers of SO many at this time. xxx

By: laura

laura — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:37:09 +0000

Anita, you were given the grace to be cool, calm & collected when you needed to be. Praise God for that! You had to make, sometimes, life changing decisions, and you needed clear heads. That “living on the edge”, though, takes a physical, emotional, mental, spiritual toll. When you no longer need to live on a knife’s edge, balancing everything perfectly, not only does reaction set in, and exhaustion on every level, but you have to find a new “normal” balance. Give your minds & bodies the time to recover. You don’t have to accomplish the world right now, or even in a month. Do some mind numbing, blob out things, and give yourselves permission to do it. Get free DVD’s from the library that help you travel the world, without requiring any emotional input (like comedies or trajedies – you don’t need those). Make sandcastles extraordinaire with Asher. Read restful books. Remember that an exhausted marathon runner, at the end of the race, collapses to the ground, needing water, nourishment & rest. He does not run a marathon again the next day. He awaits rejuvination, and that means time & healing. So love you all. Praying for you…you may feel confused, but you are NOT abandoned or alone – cling to that.

By: Emma Abrahams

Emma Abrahams — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:46:19 +0000

Oh Anita! Bless you guys! And thank you for sharing that. I’ve been trying to imagine how you must be feeling now, but it is impossible. Just know my prayers and thoughts are still with you guys.

By: Erika White

Erika White — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:05:18 +0000

Oh Anita… I cannot even begin to imagine how you are feeling. I can barely look at pictures of sweet Aria without tearing up. I overheard a conversation in the c-store this week in which a resident announced the name of his newborn daughter – “Aria”. I felt my stomach in my throat & had to pause to catch my breath. Every thought of your sweet little girl brings both joy & immense sorrow. And I am just a bystander… a casual friend at best. I’m completely unable to comprehend where it all takes you. There are no words to make it better, it’s so wrong & unfair. In all my life I’ll never understand. I appreciate your faith, though, in knowing one day you’ll have answers – one day after your time here has come to an end. Until then I pray you feel God’s loving embrace & that His presence brings comfort in knowing Aria is well cared for in your absence… until you can all be together again. Love to you my friend!! xoxoxo

By: stephanie

stephanie — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:08:05 +0000

Wow. Love to you guys — it’s just so much. Hurting for all of you. She did pack a lot of love into those five years. What a beautiful girl.

By: Linda Crosbie

Linda Crosbie — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:13:09 +0000

This is a further passage I have read and is what I know I experienced through my own grief.

Please Be Patient With Me

I’m going through a period of difficult transition
Life has placed me in a rather difficult position
My mind and mood are going through a period of stress
My present and my future I am trying to assess
Life is not smooth and even as it’s been before
I’ve got to find direction, life’s alternatives to explore
I’ve got to straighten out my life and struggle to adjust
I’ve got to realign my purpose, refine my thrust
I can’t be captive to the past or slave to moments lost
I cannot mourn the lesions learned or fret about their cost
As I approach the future, there is much I cannot foresee
I hope you’ll try to understand, I hope you will bear with me

Lots love and know you have people praying for you. Xxxx

By: Linda Crosbie

Linda Crosbie — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:59:34 +0000

Hi Anita, Asher and Hamish. I offer you the following passage I have read recently.

From ‘The Bear Necessities of Grief’ – Duane S Montague

You have begun a journey you did not choose to take. While this new road will take you many places, some unfamiliar and frightening, remember that you are not alone….You will experience pain and loss, memories and “what-might-have-beens”. Go through each of these feelings and emotions – don’t be afraid of them. There really is no way out of grief, there is only a way through it……

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:51:47 +0000

Yes Aria was an amazing child, brave, courageous and intelligent far beyond her tender years. Her short wonderful life touched and affected so many people, so many of whom neither she nor you met. But our prayers are with you still and we still hold you in our hearts. My prayer now for you is also for peace, comfort and joy in your lives.