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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A Heartfelt Request to my Cyber Family

On the most part, I don't resubmit a daily freebie that I have done ... but this one is so very important to me.
 
I don't want to appear that I am not grateful for all the lovely comments that I do receive, but on Febuary 1, 2013 I only received one comment in reference to this entry.  And, I continue to stuggle. 
I want everyone to know that I am not asking for myself any longer, but for my dearest friend, Barbara. 
 
Last night I received a call from Barbara's daughter, Jackie that her mother has been hospitalized.  She is in intensive care.  Yesterday, Barbara collapsed.  Physically they have not been able to find anything wrong with her, but she is not doing well.  I am so afraid that she just doesn't want to continue living.  And, I am so worried about my friend.  Not only is the unthinkable a possibility, I now worry about Barbara's two adult children. 
 
What I am asking for ... is a circle of prayers in the form of comments that I can forward onward to Jackie to give to her mother in the hospital.  She needs all the love that she can be surrounded by.  You are the most giving, thoughtful and endearing cyber family I have.  Please, please take a moment for my friend.
 
After the freebie, I have another copy of my post from Febuary 1st.  Please read it, if you have not.
 
 

Download at:
Today it is with a very heavy heart that I come. 
Barbara is a dear, dear friend of mine and on January 30, 2013 she lost her husband, Richard. I first met Barbara at my daughter, Angie's bachelorette party over fourteen years ago. She is the mother of Angie's sister-in-law, Jackie. After that night, Barbara and I became great friends.

As a single mother, I admired Barbara. She has two children Jackie and Anthony. She is bubbly and just a sweetheart. Life has not been easy for her either. I really don't want to share anything from her past except to say she is a survivor. And the men in her life were what I call "bastards". She seemed to only meet men that wanted her as a "trophy", never marriage. And, in her sweetness, (whatever you call it) ... she never seemed to realize what kind of men she was drawn to.

And, then she met Richard five years ago and I couldn't have been happier for her. And, when he asked to marry her ... wow. He was one of the gentlest, sweetest and most caring men, I have had the honor to call friend. He made loving Barbara look so easy, because he worshipped the ground she walked on and she has done the same in return. I know he gave Barbara the stability she had never experienced. And, in turn ... Barbara just blossomed. He's funny and just loved life to the fullest.

For five years, I have known that God sent this wonderful man into her life. He was and is the part of her life that made it whole. He made her complete. And, gave her all the happiness she has so justly deserved.

Barbara and Richard
"The day they met"
Barbara and Richard
"Last summer in New Orleans"

I want to include a photo of her beautiful daughter, Jackie
Doesn't she look just like her mother, Barbara

and son, Anthony
Her kids at Mardi Gras, New Orleans


From talking with Jackie last night, she told me that it appears that Richard may have suffered from a deep vein thrombosis. He had been complaining of severe leg pain. Jackie said, she had called her mother to find out how Richard was doing and upon talking with her mother and then Richard he said the pain had gone away and "he felt better than he had felt in days". Approximately thirty minutes later Richard said "my lips feel numb" and went to go to the bathroom. She said her mother said that Richard called her name and when her mother went to him, he collapsed. He died in her arms moments later. To me, it sounds like a pulmonary embolism. And, I honestly don't know if he'd been to see a doctor.

This is the reason, my heart hurts so deeply. I just don't feel that Barbara deserved this. I am so sad, this just seems like a nightmare. And I want to somehow go back to January 29th and find out this really, really isn't true. The funeral is tomorrow and there isn't even anyway for me to go home to be with Barbara. I have been unable to get through to her on the phone and I just feel so far away. I have already cried so many tears, but I am crying now again. I just can't imagine what she is going through.

My wordart is dedicated to Barbara and her wonderful husband, Richard. Even though, I know she will never read this, hopefully in some small way my prayers will be with her today. May God wrap her in peace and help her through the days ahead. It was the only thing I could think to do today to let her know that all my thoughts are with her and more importantly tomorrow. I love you, Barbara.

Hugs, Sue


28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heavenly Father, it is my request today that you touch Barbara and lift her up. Thank you for giving her a loving husband, wonderful children, and a sweet friend who loves her so much she has requested prayers for her. Reveal these blessings to her in a new way so that she will want to live and to bless her loved ones again. Pat Kinkaid

Trine Secher said...

Dearest Barbara,
I don't know you, and you don't know me. But I "know" Sue and as she means a lot to me, and you mean a lot to Sue, you are important to me too. I wish you all the best and speak from own experience when I say: When we are physically or mentally down and need to get back up again, we are not only fighting for ourselves but also for all the people who love us. As I have already told Sue, I am not a religious person, but that does not prevent me from sending my best wishes and thoughts to you and then let you translate it into any prayer you need. I hope the light will soon shine on you again.

All the best and lots of love,
Trine

Unknown said...

This is my first time to this sight, and I felt compelled to write after reading this post. Losing a loved one is never easy, and more difficult when they are such a wonderful person. Barbara will get through this with the love and help of family and friends, and it sounds like she has lots of that. God Bless.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mickymunchkin's little space said...

What can you say... Fate sometimes takes routes you can't understand, are painful, so very painful that giving up seems to be the only solution. Without your best mate part of you probably has gone and you might feel there's no "me" left of you... Yet I strongly believe that it's not time to give up yet, life has a lot more to offer and there is a light there, even though all you can see now is darkness. Fight to get through this hard time, I'm sure your husband would expect you to keep on going, would want you to keep living and making the best out of things. If it was you who had died, do you think you would want him to give up?
I don't think so... I'm sending prayers for you, I'm sending you deep breaths, a bit parcel of hope and little glittery sparks to fill that darkness. Please don't give up, your family still needs you here and there is still a life for you. Please take the courage to go on and give this life and yourself another chance...
Hugs from Germany,
Micky

Chrissy C said...

Sending love to you and your friend. Maybe the grief has affected her so much for her to collapse. I hope she recovers very soon - sending out prayers to her xxx

Christina Hicks said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friends health issues. Please let her know she is in my prayers.

Lisa Lynn said...

I'm so sorry, I just saw your post and I'm sending my prayers and thoughts. As a nurse, I have worked with people with DVTs and PEs and naturally loss so it is unfortunate. She needs the faith of her family and friends to pull her through a rough time. I wonder if you would get more comments if you turned off your word verification to leave a comment.

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean. On the 11th my husband & I will be celebrating our 18th anniversary. His is my "Richard". He is my 3rd marriage & he has made ALL the difference in my life. I know how I would feel if this had happened to me. In fact, we have had some very close scares even at our young age. I used to panic but then decided it was the quality not the quantity. Hugs & I am thinking of your Dear Friend.

Debbie said...

Sending extra prayers to Barbara in hopes that she finds the will to live and God bless you for doing this for her! She is obviously loved by her family and friends.

dkmatson said...

Dear Sue....and for Barbara,

My name is Karen and this is my first time at this blog. Our Heavenly Father tells us that where ever there are two or more gathered is His name He will be there with us. I wish I had words that would heal your hearts and make everything better. I will pray for you both, for strength for the coming days. Something that helped me when I lost my dear grandmother was telling stories about my favorite memories of her. Maybe this will help Barbara....if not now, maybe later on. I still cherish those stories everyone told. May He shelter you under His wings.
Sincerely
Karen

dkmatson said...

Dear Sue....and for Barbara,

My name is Karen and this is my first time at this blog. Our Heavenly Father tells us that where ever there are two or more gathered is His name He will be there with us. I wish I had words that would heal your hearts and make everything better. I will pray for you both, for strength for the coming days. Something that helped me when I lost my dear grandmother was telling stories about my favorite memories of her. Maybe this will help Barbara....if not now, maybe later on. I still cherish those stories everyone told. May He shelter you under His wings.
Sincerely
Karen

jperr said...

Barbara I,m going to call your name to the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,so your name will be put on the prayer roll.
And also I will keep you in my prayers and ask a blessing on you that you will have the strength to carry on and know that God loves you.
Blessings,Jocelan

jperr said...

Hi Sue could please send me Barbara's last name so I can call into the temple in Vancouver BC.MY email is bjperr2@gmail.com
Thanks Jocelan

Silverbutterfly said...

Sue, have been on your blog recently, as my Dh hasn't been feeling well, but when I read your blog today, I was touched by the story of your friend, my heart goes out to her and she & her family are in our thoughts and prayers.
May God bless her.

Silverbutterfly

Crafting Vicky said...

I am so very sorry for all that Barbara is now going through after finding happiness! I will be keeping her in my prayers for sure!

Edwina said...

My dear friend, Hello. My thoughts go out to you and Barbara and family. I hate to hear she is ill. I know how hard it is after losing the love of your life. Just don't give up. You can bear this and become stronger because of it. It will make you so much more loving and caring towards others. I know because I have lost mine too. Just keep saying. I can do this, I can survive, I can keep on going on.Edwina Brown

Dreamchaser said...

I am so very sorry Barbara for your loss and for the tremendous amount of heartbreak you must be feeling right now. I hope in time the memories you shared together will bring you comfort and the peace of how much you loved each other. It's never easy to lose a loved one and especially suddenly..I know that type of pain.

May God give you the peace you so need right now and may He guide the doctors, nurses and all who minister to you in getting you back to better health. May God hold you close and also your family. May He give you strength that you need to face each day, one day at a time, one minute at a time.

Again, I'm so very sorry for what you are going through. I wish I had magic words that would ease all of you, your family and your friends' pain .. but what I can do is pray on your behalf.

May God grant you the comfort and the peace

Sue said...

Such a heartbreaking story, there is nothing anyone can say in these circumstances to make anyone feel any better but maybe to know how much we are loved and cared for can be a comfort. I am sending loads of love and hugs to Barbara and I hope that the love she shares with her beautiful family and wonderful friends will help her through her grief.

Suze said...

Sending love and best wishes to you Barbara. Please know that you are in my thoughts - even though I do not personally know you.

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles said...

Oh goodness. I'm sorry Sue that I have been MIA over here all week and then I come over to find this message. I have tears running down my face knowing how much that you and most especially your dear, dear friend and her family must be hurting right now.

Barbara, I wish that there were words that would provide comfort to you during this horrific time. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything that I could say that would help to put a dent in the pain that you currently feel. Just know that you are thought of and that prayers are being said both for Richard so that he may find peace in God's arms and for you so that you may find the strength to stay here with your children who will always need you to fight to survive, as painful as it may be.

Sincerely,
Lisa D.

Anonymous said...

Dear Barbara,
May God's love be with you to help you heal, and may you be comforted by the love and caring of family, friends, and even strangers who are there to support you in this difficult time. Sending you hugs and warmest wishes.

marlah24 said...

Thinking of you and your friend and wishing both of you all good thoughts and prayers.

Moments by Marla said...

Barbara and family, May God give you the love and the strength to get through these difficult times you are being faced with. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

carolrosa said...

Barbara, Please know that everyone is thinking of you and willing you well. We are praying for you and asking your own guardian angel to help you recover as quickly as possible.

with much love and good wishes

Carole in the UK

Hugs

Anonymous said...

Dearest Barbara;
This like to have broke my heart to read of You finding someone so kind and gentle after years of pain and suffering and then to lose them way to soon is to me heartbreaking.
I pray God gives You the strength to go on for Your Children's sake. To be there for Them and they be there for You.
If there are Grandchildren and even if not yet tell them about this gentle Man who was Your Husband Richard, the Grandpa that would have Loved Them to the Moon and Back.
You know that a Beautiful Rainbow came into Your Life when Richard entered remember the Memories You made. Please do not give up! Life is Fragile at times but Prayers do give us strength to go on.
Grieve Cry and be angry, these are all normal and even the giving up part. But then stand up tall and proud and say I will not give up!
Praying for You and asking God to hold You up for awhile so You can heal.
Someone who cares about others
Peggy K

Linda said...

Hello Barbara, I found the original poem called He is Gone when my Father passed away. I made a few changes to it and the result is below.

Apparently David Harkin, the person who wrote the original poem, has also done a version called Remember Me but it is a little different. Here is a link to the poem She is Gone just in case you'd like to read about the poet and see his versions.
http://www.poeticexpressions.co.uk/poems/you%20can%20shed%20tears%20that%20she%20is%20gone.htm

I hope this poem gives you some comfort in the days ahead.

Best Wishes to you and your family,

Linda.

This is my Variation of the “He/She is Gone” Poem – it makes it more personal.



Remember Me

You can shed tears that I am gone

Or you can smile because I have lived

You can close your eyes and pray that I will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that I have left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see me

Or you can be full of the love that we shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember me and only that I am gone

Or you can cherish my memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what I would want:

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Variation of the Poem

“He/She is Gone”



written 1981

David Harkins 1959 -

Silloth, Cumbria, UK




Administrator said...

I highlighted this freebie and your blog today on my Thursday's Guest Freebies. I shared your freebies with 1,280 followers on my freebies Pinterest board. Thank you, Sue!
http://www.scrapbookalphabet.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-guest-freebies-grans-9.html