tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post7268422953772557614..comments2023-09-12T11:22:39.209-04:00Comments on From Paradise to Plan B: Gannet GirlUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-71667411404173341392013-08-27T20:29:29.657-04:002013-08-27T20:29:29.657-04:00I have no words, but this describes me so well. I ...I have no words, but this describes me so well. I just wanted you to know that your blog is bringing much comfort right now. from one grieving mama to another. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11420645425229847568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-34547148014309938002009-10-12T18:40:12.466-04:002009-10-12T18:40:12.466-04:00Karen, I'm crying with you and agree with many...Karen, I'm crying with you and agree with many posted comments on how you're counseling through your grief. Maybe one day you'll have the strength to write a book that I'm sure will touch many.<br />Much love,<br />JeriJerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00848237236578681269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-45237283195765008612009-10-09T08:04:25.827-04:002009-10-09T08:04:25.827-04:00Dear Karen,
This took me back 40 years to my own l...Dear Karen,<br />This took me back 40 years to my own loss...though I know it did not even come close to your pain. I am crying all over again and hurting deep inside for you. I remember sitting in that little meeting room at Hope's Ohukai location as you taught several of us girls about loss and grief...listening to our stories and gently explaining how losing a child is the absolute worst kind of grief. Your words were impressed upon my memory, and I never even dreamed that you would be living them one day. I have hope that the time will come when you can push your way out of this cocoon of pain and sadness (like a butterfly struggles to be free of its chrysalis) and emerge into a bright, new morning. Love, Patti FranksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-18606129103022892472009-10-06T16:23:24.367-04:002009-10-06T16:23:24.367-04:00I forget to breath when I read your writing, Karen...I forget to breath when I read your writing, Karen. I finish and I am breathless. It's desolate, dark, heavy, but through it all is an overwhelming sense of love. And so I love you back.<br /><br />You give a me some sense of understanding, when I haven't had to bear your burden. You help me understand when someone like John Travolta, for example, can't function because of his grief. <br /><br />Here on Maui, three more boys from Keanae, 2 of them brothers, were killed last week in a single car accident. I can now count 8 teenagers from Keanae who have been killed in accidents. Each time that happens, mothers and fathers are wounded, then re-wounded. Your writing gives me a glimmer of what they are going through.<br /><br />Thanks, Karen.<br /><br />BillBill and Lu Keplernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-27360926605108735212009-10-01T10:47:35.130-04:002009-10-01T10:47:35.130-04:00Karen,
I always thought you guys loved Joey so de...Karen,<br /><br />I always thought you guys loved Joey so deeply and thoroughly, and your post reminds me of that. Some of the effects of his leaving on your mind sound similar to the effects of my sister's head injury; it's interesting that emotional injuries can affect the brain the same as physical ones. <br /><br />I agree with the person who said this is the best counseling you've ever done. It's a different kind of counsel, flowing naturally and existentially out of your experience. In a way, it's a more pure use of your gift, because it's the Giver using it through you rather than you being aware of it and trying to use it yourself as in the past. If that makes sense. Exercising our gifts unconsciously is always better. But of course now you know, so it's all ruined...just kidding. Keep writing as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06278159932488233169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-37613541177554647132009-09-30T13:46:06.867-04:002009-09-30T13:46:06.867-04:00I disagree Karen...I think this is the best counse...I disagree Karen...I think this is the best counseling you've ever done.<br />You have a special gift sharing your heart and ministering to so many who hurt beyond words.<br />GaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-13459570095364738422009-09-30T13:19:53.033-04:002009-09-30T13:19:53.033-04:00I am also glad you went back and wrote this for yo...I am also glad you went back and wrote this for you and for us. I cried, when don't I, and understood<br />every word. It is strange that at first it seemed I was the only one that went through all that stuff. I felt like no one else could possibly feel and go through what I<br />had. We look to God and all his words and I just know that I have to trust in His word. I am always so sorry for your loss!!! It does take a huge blow to us and just to survive and be somewhat normal takes great work. I call it pretend, most of the time. I am thankful for the time spent with my Angie before she went home. I also shutter at what you both went through upon finding out Joey was gone. None of it is easy.<br />Lovin you and praying for you<br />SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-33768988786739918642009-09-30T11:02:52.979-04:002009-09-30T11:02:52.979-04:00OK, that was me deleting the previous comment beca...OK, that was me deleting the previous comment because it was a duplicate of the first (my computer duplcates my comments, I don't know why or how it happens). Anyway, I am back here to encourage you ladies to reach out more in the internet and blogging community. I know there are many people out there grieving and God can use you to minister to them just as you minister with each other. How to find them? I do not know, but the just be open and the Holy Spirit will lead the way.Liza on Mauihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03051821265972125935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-39707993715929768242009-09-30T10:49:41.210-04:002009-09-30T10:49:41.210-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Liza on Mauihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03051821265972125935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-15334311963985000112009-09-30T10:49:27.549-04:002009-09-30T10:49:27.549-04:00Karen, when I first started blogging in 2006, I co...Karen, when I first started blogging in 2006, I couldn't really explain well enough to my family and friends here on Maui the kind of support I get from my bogging friends who I have not met in person. But it was there. It was deep support. It a support that cradled me on my lonely times when I felt abandoned. ...<br /><br />That said, I just want to say that it gives me great satisfaction to see that you have found your bloggy friends who knows exactly what you are feeling. Bloggy friends who you can share your deep sorrows without the fear of being misunderstood. It's one of the greatest gifts isn't it?<br /><br />It's a long journey you all are travelling. I am glad you are there for each other. This is the kind of friendship that sticks closer than a brother....<br /><br />Many will read this post and will cry with you. Some will read and ask "when will they ever get out of this mode - geez, get a life". The last comment hurts but with friends who understand, those "move on" comments can be deal with kindly, knowing that one cannot truly totally understand a situation unless they had been in it.<br /><br />You ladies have made yourself vulnerable by opening up your grieving feeling to everyone. Thank you for such courage. We will continue to lift you up in prayers, and will also pray that the joy of the Lord will sustain you, give you strength and will make you enjoy life once more. A different life, but with God's grace you can all enjoy it...<br /><br />Love you all,<br />LizaLiza on Mauihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03051821265972125935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-8619182942076834972009-09-30T08:43:35.579-04:002009-09-30T08:43:35.579-04:00I really apprecited this one Mom, very honest. I l...I really apprecited this one Mom, very honest. I love you and I am sorry.Jaimershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08410473389697304836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-7615414524752262212009-09-29T23:17:29.877-04:002009-09-29T23:17:29.877-04:00Thank you for reaching so deeply into your heart a...Thank you for reaching so deeply into your heart and sharing this with us. I know it's hard to write it down; it's hard enough to live with it, let alone speak about it. But here, you are held in community and love; here, you are understood, though we've never met in person. We understand, because we are living the same life which, as GG said, "is not my life, right?" But it is.<br />I think that Jesus also came to show us that we are not alone. He (and his mother!) suffered very much as we are now. God cared enough to spell it out. I just didn't GET it, until Katie got sick.<br />You & your family are in my heart. XOGbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895779471612397202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-27191854605301171162009-09-29T23:13:26.285-04:002009-09-29T23:13:26.285-04:00Feels like something heavy is sitting on my chest ...Feels like something heavy is sitting on my chest reading this and I haven't lost a child. It's so painful to read. It's so raw and honest. But we( those of us who haven't lost a child) do need to read this---to live our lives like it will be the last word we speak to someone--and we need to stop running around like there is no pain. <br /><br />I wish with all my heart that I could take ya'lls pain away but nothing ever will. There isn't anything big enough or special enough to do it. <br /><br />Karen, I cradle your heart in mine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32636055.post-16632133439336300452009-09-29T22:48:42.382-04:002009-09-29T22:48:42.382-04:00This is a beautiful post, Karen. I have lived so ...This is a beautiful post, Karen. I have lived so many of these exact same experiences, and even the ones which were different were the same.<br /><br />All day I, too, think: Josh is gone, Josh is gone, Josh is gone. No matter what I am doing. <br /><br />And so often I think: This is not my life, right? I think that when I die I will be thinking, But that wasn't really it, was it?Gannet Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16374279595560691174noreply@blogger.com