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DH has been really intrested in this show---has it TiVo'd for tonight. Somehow we completely missed the LC angle. Thanks for the heads up! Kelly

Grateful to the wonderful example of MLK and the day off. MOST grateful for the news that DH may have a job! Two months unemployed is too much. Tentatively celebrating... Kelly

Thanks so much for remembering. I always think of Jimmy Buffet's quote, in a song about the loss of his grandfather: "And though I cried I was so proud/ To have loved a man so rare..." I'm so blessed to have been my mother's daughter, and so proud to have known so many of our fallen warriors. Kelly

Happy birthday Harry! Grateful for friends at church and work who keep me going. Hopefully I do the same for them. Grateful for a sunny Sunday.

Lots of prayers for you. Keep us posted. Kelly

Grateful for kids healthy enough to send me running all over town today. Kelly

Add me to the jealous page as well. I'll live vicariously through you! Kelly

Oh, I'm just so sorry. I know that the speed of his passing is a horrible shock. I'm sure that he knows now about your boy. I'm sure he's even met your little ones. Prayers for stength and peace for you and your family. Kelly

Oh, Jackie, how do you pick the quotes we need the most? Very sad today, going to the funeral of a wonderful woman/single mom who died of LC and left behind three young children. I'm trying to find the light today, and struggling. So grateful for the people who lift us up when we need it most. Kelly

I've wondered so much about my 'other Kelly'. I am just so sorry to hear this news. I'm glad that you have had some healing, and that your mom had a peaceful passing. We are here whenever you need us. Sometimes helping others is such an important part of the healing process, and I'm sure you have a lot to teach us as well. Kelly

Grateful for a community at school/work that pulls together to support those who need it most. Grateful for a daughter who is going to the Rosary for my friend tonight with me. DH couldn't go, and I didn't want to be alone. That kid is pretty cool! Kelly

This morning a dear friend Lisa, who has children at my school, died of cancer. I knew this was coming, it is really a blessed relief for this warrior woman, but I just feel ripped in two. Her 4th and 7th graders (7th grader is in my class) are at school today. Her 16-year old daughter, a former student of mine, went to school, too. I feel like, after all I have been through, I should know what to say or do for the boys. I just feel impotent in my grief today. I hugged the younger boy, told him that I loved him and his family and that I was praying for him. Thankfully, as a Catholic school, we can pray openly and talk about it. I took my 6th grade class over to the church and we prayed for the family together. I'm trying to make today as "normal" as possible for the older boy, but be compassionate and loving as well. I want to help the boys, and be strong for them, and be the person they need today. I also want to cry at the drop of a hat. I loved and admired Lisa. Mom loved and admired her, too. I think Mom met her at the gates of heaven today with a party hat, and a hug. I love this family, and these kids, and I've walked this road with them for the past 6 years. When my mom died, the boy came to the funeral, and the 16-year old wrote me the most beautiful letter--one that I kept and still look at often (she had a GREAT English teacher, I tell you ). I feel lost, but I feel like I need to be together for the boys. I just needed to come somewhere and say that. I'm so glad you guys are here. Kelly

What a blessing for Carol to have you for a friend. I know you have been a real source of strength for her, even though that had to be tough at times. Carol and her family are in my prayers. Kelly

Oh, man, do I understand. Seven months later, and there are still times I feel that way. I can tell you that it does get...not easier, but maybe more managable. I remember when I couldn't take a breath without feeling the crushing grief. Then I could go moments, then maybe hours. I can sometimes get through a whole day, not without thinking about it, but without being crippled by it. Your love for your dad is (not was) so strong, that of course your grief is equally strong. He helped you build a strong foundation in your life, and you WILL be OK. I think going to a counsellor is a great idea, if you are comfortable with that. I get a great deal of help from a grief group aimed at my kids, but the adult portion helps me, too. Also, 'letting it all out' here has been very therapeutic for me as well. We are here for you, and we do get it. Kelly

Grateful for Wednesday--half way to Friday! Grateful for family and friends. Grateful for a DH who helps get so many things done during the day--the 'upside' of unemployment. Grateful for a Mom who built a faith in me that I fall back on time and time again for comfort and strength. Kelly

I hope tomorrow burns brighter for you. I often feel lost with out my Mom--that one person who was always happy to see me, always had time to listen to me, and always dished out good advice (whether I wanted it or not). I'm praying for peace for you. I know this is so very tough. Kelly

Long, but I thought it was interesting. They handed this out at our children's grief support group this week. Insert your loved one's name in the blank. I found some of the sentences very empowering, after feeling so out of control for so long. Kelly **************************************************** I Did Not Choose to Become Bereaved I did not choose to become bereaved. I grieve because I loved much. My _______ died, but my ability to love didn’t die! Since I loved, and still love very much I expect my grief to be painful. I realize that each person grieves differently. I accept that other family members have grieved and will grieve differently than I do. I have a responsibility to love and live on. I can fulfill that responsibility if I grieve and allow others to grieve. I am a part of my family and of humanity. Grief need not build a wall between my family and me, but can build a bridge. I choose to allow grief to strengthen our family ties. Grief is very real; it is not rational. I am learning to accept in others what appears irrational to me. I am learning to accept the irrational in my thoughts and actions. Crying is a part of grief and is therapeutic; it is not weak or selfish. I must allow myself to cry, even openly. Grieving does not answer the question, “Why?” Since there is no acceptable answer, I must accept the unanswered question. My ____ was a person; an important person to me. I will not forget the love and the life we had before the death. I cannot return to the ‘normal’ that existed before ____’s death. I must go on to what is now to be the ‘new normal’ for me. Getting on to a new normal does not mean forgetting _____. ______ remains in my thinking and my talking now, and will in the future. I cannot be grateful that ___ died. I am grateful that _____ lived and choose to express that gratitude. I cannot forget the events surrounding the death of my loved one. I realize that healing does not mean forgetting. If I allow it to, by my grieving, time will produce some healing. I could not control the past, which included the death of _____. I do have some control over the future as I build the future with my family. ____’s death did not happen so that I might become a better person. I choose to allow ___’s death and my grief to make me a better person. There was much I did not understand before I joined the fellowship of the bereaved. Because of my loss, I choose to become more understanding, tolerant, and compassionate. My grief has created and brought many emotional needs for me. I can meet those needs by meeting the similar needs of others. My spiritual beliefs did not die with the death of _____. I choose to use them to help me through the difficult times. Questioning those beliefs and values is not wrong. I will, as a result of my questionings, strengthen my beliefs. I did not choose to become bereaved, but I choose to allow good to come out of what has been so painful for me.

For the end of day reply... Grateful for a fun volleyball practice for my daughter...lots of hitting and giggling. Grateful for laughing with my son. Grateful for heading off to bed now. Kelly

Well, since it couldn't be the Vikings this year...I will keep cheering on Green Bay (doesn't make sense, I know, but my FIL is a big fan). I really feel like this season went on around me this year, and I missed it all. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be at a Super Bowl party. I can watch then. Kelly

Because it is what she wanetd, we donated almost everything of Mom's to Catholic Charities. As 'luck' would have it, they were trying to outfit an apartment for a refugee family the day we called. We filled it! For the most part, we (my brothers and I) agreed that we had enough 'stuff' (Tvs, electronics, furniture, etc) and someone else actually needed it. Seeing them take away 'her chair' was tough, though. I did, of course, keep some stuff. All her religious items, and most of her fun, inexpensive jewelry, quilts, lots of pictures. Things she had kept of my dad's. We were trying so hard to donate and move everything, I almost didn't keep her / my dad's yearbooks. I am so glad I did. I was worried about transfering piles of stuff that would just lay around, but my DH told me I should keep them. It makes me laugh to read the signatures, and I look in amazement at her fresh-faced high school self. What dreams she must have had. I'd like to think many of them came true. Kelly

Grateful for a sunny day, and supportive friends. So thankful for the grief support group for kids that starts back up tonight after the holidays...so glad there is a place for the kids to talk things through. Grateful for how much the place is helping them! Grateful for the reminder to be grateful. Kelly

What a tough day. You know, logically, that you did everything you could to help your mom. I've fought the, "Could I have done more?" question, too, but you did not let her down. You held her up every time you had a chance. Praying for peace for you today. Kelly

Grateful for a day that will be filled with family. Grateful for one more day before back to work. Grateful for friends who keep me strong. Kelly

Grateful for what I hope will be a lazy, fun day. No alarm clock woke me up, and I sat around in my PJs until I finished a book. Off to my boy's basketball game, and back for some time around the house. We never get those kind of days anymore! Wishing a happy Saturday to you all! Kelly

I know that it would be silly to tell you not to worry, but with all of us praying for you guys, I know everything will be OK. Listen as much to the people who tell you that everything can be all right as you listen to the scary stories you can also drum up. Nah....listen to the positive stories here more. These are people you know who love you. Lots of prayers for good test results and peace of mind! Kelly