What shocking; unexpected;sad news! T Y for letting us know Jonny! I know You & She were close...MEGA HUGS!I wish Gretchen and I had more time to get to know eachother...She'll be missed!
Posted on 07/31/2007 4:57:53 PM PDT by DollyCali
I just received an Email from her son Mark.
I am Gretchen Erickson's son Mark, and I wanted to let everyone know who loved and appreciated my mother as much as I did that she is no longer with us. One comfort that I do have is the realization that she is no longer in any pain and is with God now. I still hear her resounding infectious laugh ringing in my ears as a constant reminder that she is having a wonderful time in Heaven. As I write this and I look at how many people she had in her contact list it show me that even with her limited physical abilities that she still made such a positive impact on the lives of so many different people throughout the vast expanse of our planet.
I wish I would have had the opportunity to communicate with all of my Mother's friends under circumstances that didn't bring such disparaging news.
At the same time,this turn of events might provide for a chance to hear from those people my Mother provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and general companionship to if the desire exists within those who knew her. From my personal standpoint, I would be greatly honored to hear any stories of how my Mother has inspired or helped anyone of you throughout the journey of your life.
As most of you who knew my Mother were aware, she has been struggling with emotional and physical problems for a very long time. She was feeling very weak and very sick over the last few days. Mike went to check on her the night before last, her body was rejecting the food she had tried to eat but she still appeared stable.
The next morning he went to check on her again and she wasn't in her bed. He then realized how quiet the house was and found her in the bathroom sitting on the floor. He tried CPR but to no avail, to much time had passed as she expired some time that night.
(CLIP ON PERSONAL CONTACT INFO)
My Mother has a very strong spirit that will carry on with those people she had the chance to cross a proverbial path with. I have never met another person that despite their circumstances never focused on how bad things were, but instead always looked for what was yet to come.
I love my Mother more than I can describe in words. She is the greatest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I owe my livelihood, my table manners, my fervor and passion for knowledge, my love for God, and my wit, among many other attributes that would overload the internet if I were to list them all, to her and her alone.
She will live in my memory and my heart until I am once again rejoined with her in Heaven.
Beloved son of Gretchen
Mark
What a blow this must be to her family. Father, please watch over them.
Heavenly Father, please comfort Gretchen's family during this difficult time.
Sorry rineaux, I meant to post to DollyCali! I guess I was looking at post #1 but hit the reply on post #2!
God bless her. She was an inspiration.
I am with you, sj... so many good FRiends lost in this last year...
Thank you, I sent you a private response. Have a great evening.
GretchenM will be dearly missed
Sending thoughts and prayers for her and Mark
If Gretchen can see that I'm sure she's laughing. The old screen name has a long story behind it :-D
Prayers sent.
May GretchenM rest in God’s peace. Prayers for and condolences to her family and friends.
Mark I’ll be praying for you and your family. This is a shock.
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We thank you for your dear servant Gretchen, who was an inspiration to her family. We pray you give comfort and strength to those suffering through her loss.
In Jesus’ Holy Name,
Amen
Dolly, I just found this thread and read Mark’s letter and it truly made me cry. I remember her so well and so sorry to hear of her passing. Mark’s letter was remarkable and very sweet. My sympathies to all of you who were closer to her than I was but I do remember her so well on different threads. I used to get on threads and read everything and sometimes I just didn’t make a whole lot of comments. But I loved hearing everything!
Mark, we called Gretchen “GEM” on the Day in the Life of President Bush. Perhaps that will tell you how highly we regarded her. She is already missed there. Prayers for GEM, and for you and your family. I’m sure she’s with God.
Thanks for you ping re: this sad happening too, Dolly! It’s hard to phathom...
I can't believe this.
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