Posted on 08/01/2007 5:11:17 PM PDT by silent_jonny
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
President Bush walks back to the White House after attending a going away party for budget director Rob Portman in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007.
Gretchen’s Thumper All Clear...Perfect,Jonny!
Thank you so much for posting that..
God bless our dear Gretchen.
Thank you jonny. Gretchen was a dear friend. A saintly lady. She helped me a lot. May she rest in peace.
High Delivery game:
to play use mouse to move balloon aim for rutter...catch the flowers & see what happens!
Sorry, I don’t know how to make the titled tags...
http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/high.htm
I KNOW this must have been difficult for you to do.
I was okay until I posted the all clear ... the bottom fell out then ... been sobbing for 10 minutes, lol
Oops, aim rutter for string on balloon,rather...
We love you jonny. Hugs, hugs, hugs to you dear friend.
Evening :)
Hi, Bahbah :) Thank you. This is about the only thing we can do ...
We sure did.
How are doing, Kas? Feeling better?
Thank you for this tribute to a wonderful freeper, jonny. Gretchen was one of the best, and I pray that her son Mark can gain some comfort in knowing how many people admired and cared for her.
God has given you a tender heart. We all here KNOW that & are grateful for you for it.
Yesterday when I was posting the thread I was shaking & crying. The ping was so bad(about 8 typos in the 20 or so words) that I eventually had the mod delete it as I wanted G’s tribute page to be as nice as possible.
Thanks again for doing this. I will be pinging ALL who posted on Gretchen’s tribute thread when I hear & have info from her son.
Thanks for this wonderful tribute to Gretchen. Although I don’t post often, I read the dose pretty much every day, and have always been blessed by Gretchen’s kind-hearted, sincere and caring spirit. It was also obvious she loved the Lord. When I asked for prayer for my BIL who had leukemia (who is now in full remission, PTL) her first response to me was to ask if he knew Christ as his Saviour. I was glad to be able to tell her that he does.
Now Gretchen has met her Saviour face to face. Her last moments may have been absent of other humans with her to comfort her, but I have no doubt that God sent his angels to minister to her during that time and to carry her safely Home.
Gretchen gaves us only good things to remember. Comfort and joy.
Hi and thank you for your kind words :)
Amen, Bear. Thank you.
I know ... when it does sink in, it sinks deep.
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