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
Oh No!
Prayers offered.
Thank you for posting this sad news, Dolly.
I am just beyond words. Gretchen taught me first hand about the power of prayer and faith. And in such a kind and loving way that it just seeped in, packaged in love.
I am a different person having exchanged just a few freepmails.
I treasure the fact that she invited us to walk awhile with her.
Thank you, Mark, and God grant you and your family peace. Our love to Carrie also. She is always in our prayers.
Oh dear.
Godspeed Gretchen..
May God Bless your family and friends with comfort, strength and peace..
rest in peace our dear Gretchen!
How sad! So young!! may god bless.
Rest in peace GretchenM
Prayers for her family.
She was a lamp burning bright in a world of darkness.
I am so sorry to learn this. She was one of the nicest people on this site and I will miss her. I believe she was one of the first ones I “met”. God bless her family and friends. There is a little story about a ship leaving the harbor. Those on this side say, “there she goes” but those on the other side are shouting, “here she comes”.
Thank you Dolly for posting this sweet letter.
Mark....I did not know your Mother...but I’m sure you were very special to her as I read your loving tribute to her.
You are a precious son to have such a tender heart toward your Mom.
May you and yours find peace and comfort through the loss of your wonderful Mother.
I know you miss her already....
God bless you and your family.....
Sincere sympathy to the family of GretchenM.
Thank you so much for letting us know. The world is poorer without Gretchen. I was lucky to know her and was awed by her faith as we prayed for her cousin, Carrie, over the last several months. Prayers for her eternal happiness.
Sad day. Prayers for the family.
I want to cry, but I'm too shocked.
There's so much to say, but I don't know where to start.
Gretchen was one of my best friends here. I knew she suffered with so much and it's a relief to know that she's now free of pain--forever free, and all her tears are wiped away.
My goodness ... this is starting to sink in ... I'm shaking.
Sincere sympathy to the family of GretchenM.
I am utterly stunned.
| Posted by GretchenM to Pharmboy On General/Chat ^ 07/23/2007 10:08:47 PM EDT · 28 of 30 ^ I was educated in the North and had about the same amount of ink in my public school textbooks regarding the Revolutionary War battles and strategies. It was always a mystery to me why the blood was drawn out of that war but not our Civil War, which got considerably more coverage. In the last several years I’ve been reading books on the campaigns, leaders, and character of the Revolutionary War. It remains a mystery to me why this information is shunted aside and almost all of the *glory* goes to the guys with quill, paper, and debating skills, for founding our nation. |
I am sorry to hear this. Prayers for Gretchen’s family.
Nuts.
Rest in Peace, Gretchen. May you be free of pain and troubles in the Lord’s loving embrace.
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