Went to church this morning where the busygang attend, and then drove into town to go to church with my mom. It was good.

Loving stories busymom ... your Dad must have been a gift to so many ... touching lives of those others may shun with his CMHA activities.  

And I do believe that saying ... "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" ... his legacy lives on in you and your compassionate outreach to so many. 

Thanks for sharing those stories with us, Busymom. Carolla has said it so well - your dad's spirit will live on in you - your kindness, compassion, generosity, and your love of helping others.

And please know that the support doesn't end here. Your wonderbuddies will always be here for you.

Love and hugs,

Namaste

(((((((((Busymom)))))))))

I wish I'd known your Dad - he sounds a wonderful man who was dearly loved by his daughter.

I do know he was an excellent father because, m'dear, I now know you.   

(((Busymom))) Apparently, the apple did not fall far from the tree. Your dad's legacy is safe and will live on in your genourous hands as well as those of your children.

Think of the stories often and you will remain close to this wonderful father, grandfather . Speak of him often with your Mom and his life will live on. Thinking of you and the family.

Thank you for sharing these special memoirs of your dad with us ... sounds like he was a wonderful man ... you will miss him tremendously.

May the busyfamily find comfort and peace in those wonderful memories during  the coming days.

Thanks for sharing that. Your father sounds like a special person. His spirit will live on in your family, and in the lives of the others who he touched.

breathe in some more love from your computer screen, as you have provided it for each of us time and again.  You are a treasured friend.

Hope you're remembering to take care of yourself and give yourself that little extra pampering now.  It's been an exhausting journey.

busymom,

what a wonderful picture you paint of your father

It is wonderful  how much more you have learned about him through those who you have encountered throughout his hospitalization and the visitation and cards and messages

You now have those stories to share with your children, and they with theirs of the wonderful grandfather...and how much the simple things have such major impact in people's lives

thanks for sharing the story of the fruit picking....and all the others....thanks for telling us of someone who found a way to help others, who was able to find the blessing in the depth of that which seemed so unfair.

Birthstone has said it so well. You are a great friend to many of us here.

Not such a good day yesterday.  While I woke up in the morning grateful for the sunshine and the "normal" in the day, as the day unravelled we learned of more sadness.  My husband's cousin lost her husband to meningitis at the age of 32.  He has 3 small kids.  While we were not really close to this family (just saw them at family gattherings), my heart breaks for this young mom and her kids.

When I got home from work last night I stopped in to see my mom.  My dad's brother passed away yesterday too.  A lot of things being thrown in my direction right now.   Pinga helped me late last night to put things into perspective.  I appreciated that very much.   I breathe deeply and soak in the care and support from my friends.

Oh Dear Busymom - you didn't need this.  I'm so very sorry.  Sometimes it seems that they kick you when you're down - or maybe its just coincidence.  Death comes in threes - all the old sayings. 

It is especially sad to hear of young people having their lives cut short - and children left without a parent.  But it is also sad for your mother's generation seeing their family and friends go.  Your dad wasn't old in todays world. I presume that his brother wasn't either, but we are of the generation that is starting to go and it is sad for those left behind. 

Busymom remember to take care of yourself while you comfort all those around you at this time of saddness.

I care.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, busymom.  I would have loved to have known him and agree wholeheartedly that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. 

Your family is getting some real blows and I'll bet it's taking all you've got to greet each day.  I know your inner strength and faith in goodness will carry you, if you remember to find some quiet moments.  Hugs to you, busymom.

prayers  ((((busymom))))  - praying for a groundswell of loving hands looking after all these people in your life as you still need looking after. 

((((busymom)))) - these losses of cousin and uncle are compounded in emotion so closely following the loss of your dad - in some ways you may find it hard to separate your grief one from the other, although you feel the loss of your dad definitely more closely.  You are going to need a lot of TLC over the next days and weeks to help you through your many losses and emotions that go with them, as well as to regain some physical strength also.  Try and lose the word  "no, thank you" from yoru vocabulary if a friend/neighbour/church family member ask if they can bring supper, run errands, or fulfil one of your obligations to someone else.

Thinking of you with care,

Ah busymom, so much loss and grief around you right now ..... I am so sorry. Wrapping you in a blanket of support, care and comfort. ((((((((((busymom)))))))))))

More love and support coming your way. What a tough, tough time. I'm so sorry you're going through all this loss and grief.

(((((((((((((((Busymom)))))))))))))))

No words can express that sadness that I am feeling for you and your family right now. Such a hard time and I wisn I could do more than (((((((((((((((((((busygang))))))))))))))))))))

Beloved said "lose the words 'no thank-you' when offered assistance."  I'll add:  and put those same words to use if anyone asks you to do anything for awhile.  This is a time for hunkering down with your family and close friends, and accomplishing nothing more than food, shelter &  hugs for your family and  your mom.  Hibernation is a good good thing.

((((((((((((((((((busyfamily)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I'm so sorry you have all this to deal with.  Grief for your dad's death was enough to last for quite some time, additional deaths just compound the pain.  There aren't any words coming to me that might be helpful or comforting.  I have heard people say that seeing a counsellor or attending a Grief Support group is helpful.  You may want to consider something like that when the initial difficulties fade a bit.

Oh my goodness ... there is nothing to really say that has not been said already.  So very sorry to hear of these additional deaths within your family circle.  Thinking of you.  Be still and know that God is near, especially in such times as this. 

So much for you and your family to deal with right now. Too much. I'm so sorry all this has been thrown your way. I am thinking of you.

((((((((((Busymom))))))))

Love you lots!

My mom received a letter on Tuesday from a man that came to the funeral visitation.  It was lovely of him to send a note telling her what Dad had meant to him.  But one paragraph in particular stands out to me.  It was a recount of a meeting with my eight year old son.

"As I was leaving the funeral home, a young gentleman and the lady that welcomed us at the door were standing chatting.  No one else was close by.  That young gentleman came up to me as I was about to get my coat, introduced himself as _______, Gord's youngest grandson.  Caught off guard, I asked him, as kindly as I could, where he lived.  He told me he lived quite close to Grandpa and Grandma's house and we made other small talk as I put on my coat.  Then he shook my hand and thanked me for coming.  To myself, I thought Gord still lives in this boy.  If emotions had not surfaced before, they sure did then.  Some days, you never know when you walk with angels."

Thanks for sharing the stories about your father, busymom. It must be some comfort to be able to look back on all of the positive differences he made in his community. He sounds like a true hero, to have turned his experience of depression into an opportunity to touch other people's lives.

I'm also so sorry to hear about the latest death in your family: what a difficult thing, especially for the wife of those small children.

Busymom - was that your son offering the coat?  wow.  You are an awesome mom, with awesome kids.  :)

Yup.  That's my youngest....so proud of him, well all of them.  They've been so good and done so well.  When I got home from work on Tuesday Busydaughter said "Mom, you look tired.  Go have a sleep."  I slept for 2 hours and when I woke up she had made supper.  What a great kid!

Busymom - I remember meeting your awsome children at Five Oaks.  I wished that my granddaughter could have met your daughter and formed a friendship - I'm sure it would have been a positive influence.  Mr. Seeler still talks about your youngest son who seemed to form a bond with him.  Not to forget your middle child - he is awesome too.  Great parents, great grandparents, great kids.

Awww.....what great kids you have, Busymom. I have no doubt that your dad is living on in them and in you. Hearing about these things is so heart-warming.

There is nothing more heartwarming than meeting children who have developed a sense of empathy.

Good job, Mum!     

Amen to that.  I will carry that thought with me today & see who I meet. 

Hope you're having wonderful sunshine today busymom, as we are here.  I find it's so good for my spirits.

mmmm sunshine.  yes, it warms more than just our faces.

Sunshine warms our heart and our soul.

Big hugs to you busymom as you travel along in this difficult journey.... just take one day at a time, and the road eventually will become smoother.

Still reading....still appreciating you all.

The sun IS shining today and it feels warm  Helps a lot.  Also great that the days are getting longer. 

I don't work until this evening, so I had some much needed one-on-one time with my mom this morning.  We took her car into be serviced, went for a walk, wrote a thank you for the local paper and had lunch together.  It was good.

This weekend is looking fairly quiet.  That's a good thing as we have thank you cards to write, a house to clean and kids to hug. 

Again, the comfort I get from reading your messages is amazing.  Thanks so much.

Bad things or crisis normally come bang, bang, bang one after the other.  You are reeling from one and then two more hit before you have your bearings.

I can only offer my deepest, sincerest sympathy.

Busymom the sun is shining here today too. I've been thinking of you. I took baby for a nice long walk today and just enjoyed the sun. Glad to hear you got to spend some time with your mum and that your weekend isn't looking too busy. Please take good care of yourself.

Just bumping this up because I woke up thinking about you this morning. I hope you have a good week.

Hugs and prayers.

Hi Busymom, I have been delayed getting to this thread as I suddenly lost my mom on Thursday.  While expected, like your dad's , it isn't any easier.

I hope you are taking time each day to think of your dad.  To say his name out loud, to remember his voice.

hold onto those memories.  Bring them out of your toolbox each day so they don't fade too quickly.

I can still, 7 years later hear my dad say "hello love" to me at the front door. 

i am now working on building my memories of my mom into something that i can take out just as easily for comfort.

I also know that the business of a funeral fills the void, but that there will be a huge let down for your mom eventually.  FOr all this time she has put things on hold to be at the hospital and now her days will loom very empty in front of her.  Those kids of your will be just the ticket to keeping her company and filling her time.

My thoughts are with you and others that have lost parents recently.  As we approach Easter, it will be hard, but joyous too , at least for me, sure that I am that my parents are now together and with Jesus.  That comforts me.

lastponte, I am sorry for your loss and think of you today .

I'm so sorry for your loss, Lastpointe.

lastpointe - I am so sorry for your loss.  (((((((((((lastpointe))))))))))

My condolences lastpointe.  It's so true that even though we're expecting the loss, the reality is still very difficult.

aaah, lastpointe, I remember that thread where we discussed busymom's dad, and named a few people who were aware that time was nigh....

my thoughts are with you this night...

Lastpointe, my thoughts and prayers are with both you and busymom.

Sending big comforting hugs your way.

Lastpointe, I am so sorry for your loss.  Wishing I could come up with the right words of comfort for you, as you've all been there for me.  Struggling to find the words, I'm so sorry. 

lastpoint, thank you so much for sharing your sad news with us.  I wish you some joyfilled memories and a bouquet of supportive friends.

Lastpointe, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom - a very sad, difficult time for you.  May you be surrounded by loving, caring friends and family at this time as you go through this time of grief.

Lastpointe,

I'm pouring a cup of virtual tea for you and have a warm prayer shawl waiting for you.  I offer you the hug of someone who knows well the heartache of losing a loved parent.  I offer you the ear of someone who would love to learn more about your dear mom.  I offer you my shoulder to lean on.  I would be honoured if you and I could walk this walk together.