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
Mark, your heart must be aching, I know that mine is.
I can't write now, I feel like I lost a dear friend.
Jonny, me too.. I have had to ask the mods to fix one of my posts it was so messed up.. hugs to you dear friend....
Prayers offered
She was a wonderful woman! God rest her soul! Prayers for her and her family.
HE knows we are but clay and HIS promise is to never leave nor forsake us.
Write, if you want to talk.
Frank
Oh jonny , this so hard........ prayers....
OMG .. too too shocking!! Gretchen? May the Lord Of All blanket her with His peace and joy. Mark, I am so so stunned and sorry to learn this. God be with you.
Very sad news. Mark, you have my deepest condolences and sympathies. Your Mom sounds like one we all wish we had.
Prayers for Gretchen and her family.
The first are words of comfort that she sent to me in FR mail when another friend of mine passed away--two years ago this month. I asked her permission to display this pubicly and she graciously agreed. Your mom had such a beautiful way with words.
We will know in heaven the effect of our lives, when everyone gathers around the Lamb's throne and all our hearts are open and all our secrets known, and we have till forever to tell one another how God blessed us through each other
Gretchen had a huge effect on many lives here. I can't believe she's gone ... But I know, as she said, we will gather around the Lamb's throne one day and we'll be able to tell her what she meant to us. She was a great friend and a great lady.
This second thing is on the lighter side (I'm smiling as tears roll down my face). Gretchen posted a picture of a little toy dog one night on the Dose. I teased her about it and said something like I was gonna kidnap that puppy (lol).
A few minutes later, she posted this photo:
I laughed out loud when I saw it and told her that was going on my page and it's been there ever since ...
She was such a nice and gentle person.
I remember we used to kid her about her old screen name (GretchenEE). We like to tease her about being an Electrical Engineer.
This is the saddest thing I have ever seen on this site. Gretchen was a very special friend of me. I have not posted on this site in some time and had missed this news and her contact.
When I was spending my first thanksgiving alone, away from all family. I talked to her. She helped me and we talked of food and cooking turkey’s. She was a great woman and I am proud to call her my friend.
I write this with tears still in my eyes and on my cheeks. I will miss her much, but know that she is in Heaven with Our Lord and Savior. She was so abundant in her faith and love of others.
Thank you for this news. Mark her son and Mark her friend, my prayers are with you.
Eragon
Prayers to Gretchen and her family.
She was posting infrequently lately and I sent her mail and told her that I missed her.
Shaking my head ... I knew she was suffering ...
But I know she's not suffering now.
Wow ...
May she be in Heaven 10 minutes before the devil knows she’s died. RIP and enjoy eternity with Jesus.
Thank you Dolly for posting this I received the same email earlier and have sent a reply to her son
Mark--my most sincere condolences to you and all your mom's family and friends that loved and appreciated her.
I think I can speak for the Freeper community in saying that we will miss her.
May God rest her soul.
This is very sad news indeed. Gretchen was so good at keeping us all informed about her cousin Carrie’s condition that I never would have known she had her own physical problems to contend with. She was obviously one of those rare individuals who put the needs of others ahead of her own. I hope she is at peace. I will offer prayers for her and her family, and I will continue to pray for Carrie’s complete recovery.
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