I'm 85. I've been here before. In the last 12 years, I've lost two sons, two husbands, a brother and four wonderful canine companions (the canine companions in the past nine monthss).
I lost my 10 year old toy poodle Wednesday and today is the anniversary of the suicide of my son, Scott. I can't sleep or eat and I'm exhausted.
I've been reading your sad and touching stories and I want you to know you are in my heart and prayers. I'm sorry I don't have the moxy or the energy to respond right now, or even to tell my own story. My mind and body need rest. I just wantd to be here and make contact. This is a healing, restful place, and thank God for all you beautiful souls.
Betsy's story is coming. For now, just want to say, she had many problems: enlarged heart (probably in congestive heart failure), calcification of her bronchial tubes, pancreatitis, elevated liver enzymes, diabetes and renal failure. I had Betssy for only four months but our bond was so great. She was a very special little girl. I was with her for the last 14 hours of her life. I didn't leave her side for a minute and I was able to help her to the other side. I'm grateful for that.
I just can't do this any more. My heart is breaking,. And, oh, the guilt! I should have been more vigilent. I feel I failed her, poor little innocent who trusted me to take care of her.
God bless you all.
Mary
Full Version: Sweet Betsy Is Gone
Misong---
So sorry for your loss----it sounds like Betsy's problems were so many, that there was not much that could have done for her--the medical issues were serious, just one at a time. But I understand how you feel--unfortunately, we have to depend on our eyes and feelings in telling if our babies our sick-----But the last 14 hours of her life---she had you and that is so great!!!!
I found this quote the other day--and it so fits those of us who have come to this site to unburden ourselves----
"Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim."
Take care of yourself---
Mary
So sorry for your loss----it sounds like Betsy's problems were so many, that there was not much that could have done for her--the medical issues were serious, just one at a time. But I understand how you feel--unfortunately, we have to depend on our eyes and feelings in telling if our babies our sick-----But the last 14 hours of her life---she had you and that is so great!!!!
I found this quote the other day--and it so fits those of us who have come to this site to unburden ourselves----
"Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim."
Take care of yourself---
Mary
Misong
My heart is with you in your terrible string of losses. How can one person bear it all? Never have I heard of a heart so sliced and shattered. Misong, please don't feel like you have to share anything with us that you're not ready to do. I know that sounds so trite, but i know a little of the utter exhaustion that comes from being battered over and over with unspeakable grief.
Thank you so much for reaching out to your lightning strike family. We stand with you. Our hearts and our strength are ALWAYS with you and someone is here 24/7. Please wrap yourself in our caring - and in the caring of the Father of us all. And, if you can, please post a word now and then to let us know how you are doing. Because we care. And please use the private message feature to connect with those whose words and hearts touch your especially.
Misong, please take all my strength and use it as long as you need to. Betsy lives. She's a spirit like all of us will be someday. And her blessed, comforting spirit is right there beside you where it's always been. Betsy loves and so do it.
Gretta's mom
My heart is with you in your terrible string of losses. How can one person bear it all? Never have I heard of a heart so sliced and shattered. Misong, please don't feel like you have to share anything with us that you're not ready to do. I know that sounds so trite, but i know a little of the utter exhaustion that comes from being battered over and over with unspeakable grief.
Thank you so much for reaching out to your lightning strike family. We stand with you. Our hearts and our strength are ALWAYS with you and someone is here 24/7. Please wrap yourself in our caring - and in the caring of the Father of us all. And, if you can, please post a word now and then to let us know how you are doing. Because we care. And please use the private message feature to connect with those whose words and hearts touch your especially.
Misong, please take all my strength and use it as long as you need to. Betsy lives. She's a spirit like all of us will be someday. And her blessed, comforting spirit is right there beside you where it's always been. Betsy loves and so do it.
Gretta's mom
Hi, Mary, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Betsy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. The loss of a loved one - - whatever the life form - - can also intensify the sorrow of other losses we have experienced in our earthly journey, and particularly when they happen on or close to an "anniversary" of a loss.
As you are all too familiar, Mary, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. There are so many different emotions that can, and usually do, overwhelm us all at one time to the point where we can begin to seriously wonder if we are going insane. One of the emotions we all experience is guilt, and it is one of the hardest grief emotions to reconcile. From what you have shared with us about Betsy's medical challenges, please let me try to add my reassurance to you that you did everything in your human and humane power to give her an earthly journey that was filled with love. And as she transitioned home to the angels she was wrapped in the warmth of your loving devotion. I hope somehow you will be able to find a peace in your heart that will eventually dismiss the normal feelings of guilt that are a part of this grief journey.
The love bond you and your beloved Betsy share is eternal, Mary - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. As Gretta's Mom has already so comfortingly shared with you, please let me affirm her words of wisdom: Your beloved Betsy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. She is forever in your heart and your memories, Mary, - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. And it is a HUGE adjustment, and a painful one - - both emotionally and physically. As both Mistletoe and Gretta's Mom have shared with you, please let me add my reassurance to you that you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Betsy with us, Mary. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Mary, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
As you are all too familiar, Mary, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. There are so many different emotions that can, and usually do, overwhelm us all at one time to the point where we can begin to seriously wonder if we are going insane. One of the emotions we all experience is guilt, and it is one of the hardest grief emotions to reconcile. From what you have shared with us about Betsy's medical challenges, please let me try to add my reassurance to you that you did everything in your human and humane power to give her an earthly journey that was filled with love. And as she transitioned home to the angels she was wrapped in the warmth of your loving devotion. I hope somehow you will be able to find a peace in your heart that will eventually dismiss the normal feelings of guilt that are a part of this grief journey.
The love bond you and your beloved Betsy share is eternal, Mary - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. As Gretta's Mom has already so comfortingly shared with you, please let me affirm her words of wisdom: Your beloved Betsy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. She is forever in your heart and your memories, Mary, - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. And it is a HUGE adjustment, and a painful one - - both emotionally and physically. As both Mistletoe and Gretta's Mom have shared with you, please let me add my reassurance to you that you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Betsy with us, Mary. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Mary, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Mary, please accept my sincere sympathies on the loss of your precious Betsy. I hope that you do get enough rest today, and please take good care of yourself. I hope that the sweet memories of Betsy and of your son Scott will give you a measure of comfort.
QUOTE (moon_beam @ Aug 4 2012, 11:15 AM) 
Hi, Mary, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Betsy. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. The loss of a loved one - - whatever the life form - - can also intensify the sorrow of other losses we have experienced in our earthly journey, and particularly when they happen on or close to an "anniversary" of a loss.
As you are all too familiar, Mary, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. There are so many different emotions that can, and usually do, overwhelm us all at one time to the point where we can begin to seriously wonder if we are going insane. One of the emotions we all experience is guilt, and it is one of the hardest grief emotions to reconcile. From what you have shared with us about Betsy's medical challenges, please let me try to add my reassurance to you that you did everything in your human and humane power to give her an earthly journey that was filled with love. And as she transitioned home to the angels she was wrapped in the warmth of your loving devotion. I hope somehow you will be able to find a peace in your heart that will eventually dismiss the normal feelings of guilt that are a part of this grief journey.
The love bond you and your beloved Betsy share is eternal, Mary - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. As Gretta's Mom has already so comfortingly shared with you, please let me affirm her words of wisdom: Your beloved Betsy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. She is forever in your heart and your memories, Mary, - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. And it is a HUGE adjustment, and a painful one - - both emotionally and physically. As both Mistletoe and Gretta's Mom have shared with you, please let me add my reassurance to you that you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Betsy with us, Mary. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Mary, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
As you are all too familiar, Mary, this grief journey is one of the hardest experiences you will know on this side of eternity. There are so many different emotions that can, and usually do, overwhelm us all at one time to the point where we can begin to seriously wonder if we are going insane. One of the emotions we all experience is guilt, and it is one of the hardest grief emotions to reconcile. From what you have shared with us about Betsy's medical challenges, please let me try to add my reassurance to you that you did everything in your human and humane power to give her an earthly journey that was filled with love. And as she transitioned home to the angels she was wrapped in the warmth of your loving devotion. I hope somehow you will be able to find a peace in your heart that will eventually dismiss the normal feelings of guilt that are a part of this grief journey.
The love bond you and your beloved Betsy share is eternal, Mary - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. As Gretta's Mom has already so comfortingly shared with you, please let me affirm her words of wisdom: Your beloved Betsy's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as she always has and always will. She is forever in your heart and your memories, Mary, - - she is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.
I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart. I can only hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. And it is a HUGE adjustment, and a painful one - - both emotionally and physically. As both Mistletoe and Gretta's Mom have shared with you, please let me add my reassurance to you that you are not alone in your grief journey. Each of us here do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.
Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Betsy with us, Mary. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Mary, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.
Peace and blessings,
moon_beam
Hello Misong
The solo I sing this morning in church "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow" will be for my little sister and for you. You've both got such crushing burdens to bear. I respect and honor you for carrying them with the strength that only comes from a Higher Place.
Blessings,
Gretta and Rufus's mom
The solo I sing this morning in church "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow" will be for my little sister and for you. You've both got such crushing burdens to bear. I respect and honor you for carrying them with the strength that only comes from a Higher Place.
Blessings,
Gretta and Rufus's mom
Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind hearts. Your thoughts and words mean so much to me. I wrote a long story last night about Betsy but couldn't get it to move. I thought I'd try to send it again today but now it seems to have disappeared. I don't know why I was having such problems unless it was too long, or I messed up trying to send a pictiure, which was a failure too. Anyway, I'll try again today. Just want you all to know how very much I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Mary
Mary
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