A Day in the Life of President Bush (for GretchenM): 8-1-07

WhiteHouse.gov & other sources ^ | 8-1-07

[silent_jonny]

Tonight’s Dose is dedicated to our cherished friend

As most of us already know, she passed away suddenly this week. She had been sick for quite some time, but I don’t think any of us knew exactly how sick she really was.

We’re all in shock … stunned by this …

Gretchen suffered through so much pain in her life that we can’t help but rejoice and thank God she’s now being held in the arms of her friend Jesus--her tears wiped away forever. But then we remember the friend we’ve lost and our tears still flow.

A recent photo of Gretchen and her son Mark

It’s fitting that we have a tribute for G here on the Dose. She was the backbone of this thread, its heart and its spirit. She posted it (often without help) for many years until recently when her health forced her to stop completely. But she never left us. She was always as close as a ping or private message, ready with a kind and reassuring word. Or just a “LOL!”

It was her hope that, once she felt better, she would resume her posting duties … That’s how dedicated she was to the Dose. That’s how much she loved her friends here.

I hope she knew how much we loved her.

Gretchen’s greatest blessing to me was her ability to receive.

Many people find it awkard if they are given things and cannot give back whether for financial reasons or simply they do not want to give.

Gretchen had that ability to enjoy and appreciate what was given her however large or small and make the giver feel that they had enriched her life in some small way.

~ Snugs

Certainly such a gentle, good soul as Gretchen will be so rewarded …

I’ve thought about it a lot and decided that if you could put links on tonight’s thread to the Elvis version of ‘Amazing Grace’ and Brooks & Dunn’s ‘I Believe’ that would represent my feelings perfectly.

~ Wolfstar

Believe by Brooks & Dunn

Amazing Grace by Elvis Presley

As we gather here tonight to remember our friend, please take a moment to pray for her son Mark. May God comfort and strengthen him at this difficult time.

Click here to read Marks beautiful message about his mom. You can see Gretchen’s faith and character reflected in his words.

Please say a prayer for Gretchen’s cousin Carrie and ask that we may continue to receive updates on her progress. Lord, bless this family.

And please remember Gretchen's young friend Sabrina as well.

[silent_jonny]

Saudi King Abdullah welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice upon her arrival in Jeddah July 31, 2007.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal (R) welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her arrival in Jeddah July 31, 2007.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on their arrival in Jeddah July 31, 2007.

[prairiebreeze]

She rests now in the Everlasting Arms. God bless and comfort Mark and the family.

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm El-Sheikh July 31, 2007.

Saudi King Abdullah meets with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Jeddah July 31, 2007.

[silent_jonny]

[Bahbah]

Held in the palm of His hand, Gretchen.

[arbee4bush]

RIP Gretchen. You will be missed. Prayers being said for your brokenhearted family—at home and here on FR/Daily Dose.

[Majie Purple]

Nice and fitting & best place to honor & remember Gretchen,for sure and for certain!
Now I also know what one of those folkloric E’s in her old screen name stood for!
:)

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks towards Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu el-Gheit during a press conference following her meeting with selected Arab Foreign Ministers in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on during a press conference following her meeting with selected Arab Foreign Ministers in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with selected Arab Foreign Ministers at a hotel in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt Tuesday, July 31, 2007.

[DollyCali]

Thank you for tonight’s Dose jonny. I KNOW this must have been difficult for you to do. Looking forward to the pix & commentary.

I will llink this thread to the Tribute thread.

[silent_jonny]

Today

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, arrives for a meeting with Israel's President Shimon Peres, not seen, at the President's residence in Jerusalem. Wednesday Aug. 1, 2007. Rice will begin laying the ground for a Mideast peace conference in the visit to Israel on Wednesday, hoping to push Israelis and Palestinians closer to renewing talks.

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, right, shakes hands with Israel's President Shimon Peres during their meeting at the President's residence in Jerusalem Wednesday Aug. 1, 2007

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) shakes hands with Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak during their meeting in Jerusalem August 1, 2007

[Wolfstar]

Thank you, Jonny. I’ll post more fully when I get home later, but I just want to say that, although Gem may have been alone when she passed on, in a larger sense we’ll always be with her — and she with us. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but this is one of those times when I don’t think I could ever get out what’s in my heart.

[mystery-ak]

Beautiful tribute tonight to our dear friend.

[ozbushkin]

Terribly sad news; I can hardly string these words together... My memories of Gretchen will always be of a welcoming friend with a true, kind heart. Her smile came through in her words.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mark and all of Gretchen’s family and her friends.
Rest in Peace Gretchen.

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives for a joint news conference with Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem August 1, 2007.

With Israel Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni

[silent_jonny]

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice speaks during a press conference with Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak, not seen, after their meeting in Jerusalem, Wednesday Aug. 1, 2007.

Nice photo of Condi.

[silent_jonny]

President Bush walks from the White House to Blair House for a going away party for budget director Rob Portman in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007.

[Txsleuth]

Prayers and love from me, jonny...and I have a message to thank you from onyx.

She wants you to know how much she appreciates this wonderful thread you have made in Gretchen’s memory.

sleuth