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
A great loss for FR and those who loved her, a great gain for heaven.
Prayers for her family.
Prayers for Gretchen and her family and friends.
Yes, indeed.
I'm just stunned here...
Soon we'll come to the end of life's journey
And perhaps we'll never meet anymore
'Til we gather in heaven's bright city
Far away on that beautiful shoreIf we never meet again this side of heaven
As we struggle through this world and its strife
There's another meeting place somewhere in heaven
By the side of the river of lifeWhere the charming roses bloom forever
And where separation comes no more
If we never meet again this side of heaven
I will meet you on that beautiful shoreAnd they said we shall meet by the river
Where no storms, clouds ever darken the sky
And they say we'll be happy in Heaven
God be with you till we meet again
We'll meet you on that beautiful shore, Gretchen!
Prayers up.
We Love you, (((((((Gem))))))).
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Ping. We’ve lost a Puget Sound FReeper.
May Gretchen rest in peace. She will be missed here on FR. Condolences to Mark and family.
Amen! & A blessed assurance, to any & all who are saved.
Truly salves a saved grieving one’s, temporal hurt & sorrow.
Amen Kitty
Condolences to the family and R.I.P. Gretchen.
God bless Gretchen and her family and friends.
Prayers sent.
Remember a while back when I wrote that I was praying for God to restore purposeful, useful movement to Carrie's arms, and asked others to post specific prayers they are praying for her healing? I had asked her if Carrie is right- or left-handed because when I was praying for her, I was seeing her right arm moving so she could paint and write again. Today I received this from Carrie's mother. She knew I had been praying the above re Carrie's arms.
Woohoo! Thank You, Lord!From Carrie's mom today She is right handed. Thank you for your prayers in this area. Last Saturday, as I was dropping off some laundry in her room, I looked at her and her left hand was twitching, sort of in time to the music that was playing. She did it for a minute or two. I have NEVER seen that hand move, so that was exciting. Her fingers were moving up and down. So God must be answering your prayers.
With love,
M
Thank you! Her mom sent an update after the Carrie saw the doctors on Friday; I need to format and post it.
Gretchen, say a prayer for us FReepers still down here :-)
RIP Freeper.
Better than any “Opus”. Rest in peace, dear Gretchen.
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