Top of the Mountain
Hug them, squeeze them, love them . . . every day.180 total reviews
Comment from TheStoryMan
I am so sorry for your loss. The priest was right about there being no greater pain than losing a child. Such a sad memory Congratulations on your contest win.
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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I am so sorry for your loss. The priest was right about there being no greater pain than losing a child. Such a sad memory Congratulations on your contest win.
Comment Written 12-May-2019
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Thanks, Ron. I appreciate your time and understanding. I posted this over ten `years ago, but figured many Fanstorians had not seen it yet. It is actually a reminder that life is indeed short, my friend. :) Bob
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It sure is short. We need to appreciate every moment we get with our loved ones.
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Yes. :) Bob
Comment from MsPetra
I had a tear in my eye as I finished your story. I can see how it is a contest winner. You, with exquisite style expressed the anguish of losing a child. You know I am a fan of your work. I am looking forward to future offerings from you. Peace and Blessings.
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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I had a tear in my eye as I finished your story. I can see how it is a contest winner. You, with exquisite style expressed the anguish of losing a child. You know I am a fan of your work. I am looking forward to future offerings from you. Peace and Blessings.
Comment Written 12-May-2019
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Thank you so much, MsPetra. I sincerely appreciate your review. I am a bit confused about your remarking "You know I am a fan of your work." I do not recall your ever reviewing any of my writing and ai have been here since 2004. ??
Bless you. Bob
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I have been on here since 2010. I have reviewed your work many a times. You have also reviewed mine. I really appreciate your work. All the best! Petra
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Hmmm. Strange, I do not recall. Have you been away for a while? Thank you, my friend. Bob
Comment from C. Gale Burnett
Bob, this was a tragedy of the worst kind, and I was truly crying as I read your story. There IS no greater loss, and I will not even pretend to know what it is like. I have one daughter who has been through many terrible hardships, and I know how deeply my heart pains for her. To lose her? Don't know that I could survive it, but I would have to.
Several things struck me hard as I was reading this excellently penned story:
1) the hardships and struggles you had growing up were nothing compared to the loss of your son; and nothing would ever come close to comparing;
2) I can honestly understand the broken relationship of you and your wife shortly after. A horrible tragedy like this leaves each parent sorting through the sudden loss, leaving little, if any, left over strength to help support the other;
3) you mentioned you witnessed during the funeral how this tragedy had mourners asking 'why' and how faith for some had been destroyed.
4) Guilt and regret; I can feel it and hear it from you without it being directly stated. I believe that is one of the hardest things to deal with by those of us left behind. My heart goes out to you, my friend.
5) Within the last few paragraphs, I picked up on something I have experienced before; certainly, however, not the degree you have. Over a short period of time, sympathies and condolences fade out, and life goes on for everyone else (including laughter and joy), but your world has stopped, and you feel alone in your loss, wondering how you are going to function day to day.
If only God would allow us a small glimpse into heaven, so we can see for ourselves, what we know in our heart, that our loved one is happy, cared for and acknowledges they knew all along the deepest kind of love we had for them on earth. Bob, I'm convinced he knows.
I know Feb. 21 is extremely difficult, as well as the month of December. Your faith is an inspiration, and I better understand where your deep compassion for others and your strength come from. This kind of grief never ends. Much love to you, dear friend.
Catherine
Sympathies and condolences fade out, and life goes on for everyone around you, yet yours has stopped
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Bob, this was a tragedy of the worst kind, and I was truly crying as I read your story. There IS no greater loss, and I will not even pretend to know what it is like. I have one daughter who has been through many terrible hardships, and I know how deeply my heart pains for her. To lose her? Don't know that I could survive it, but I would have to.
Several things struck me hard as I was reading this excellently penned story:
1) the hardships and struggles you had growing up were nothing compared to the loss of your son; and nothing would ever come close to comparing;
2) I can honestly understand the broken relationship of you and your wife shortly after. A horrible tragedy like this leaves each parent sorting through the sudden loss, leaving little, if any, left over strength to help support the other;
3) you mentioned you witnessed during the funeral how this tragedy had mourners asking 'why' and how faith for some had been destroyed.
4) Guilt and regret; I can feel it and hear it from you without it being directly stated. I believe that is one of the hardest things to deal with by those of us left behind. My heart goes out to you, my friend.
5) Within the last few paragraphs, I picked up on something I have experienced before; certainly, however, not the degree you have. Over a short period of time, sympathies and condolences fade out, and life goes on for everyone else (including laughter and joy), but your world has stopped, and you feel alone in your loss, wondering how you are going to function day to day.
If only God would allow us a small glimpse into heaven, so we can see for ourselves, what we know in our heart, that our loved one is happy, cared for and acknowledges they knew all along the deepest kind of love we had for them on earth. Bob, I'm convinced he knows.
I know Feb. 21 is extremely difficult, as well as the month of December. Your faith is an inspiration, and I better understand where your deep compassion for others and your strength come from. This kind of grief never ends. Much love to you, dear friend.
Catherine
Sympathies and condolences fade out, and life goes on for everyone around you, yet yours has stopped
Comment Written 12-May-2019
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Hi, Catherine. This has got to be the most touching of all and any reviews i have ever received in my entire 15 years on Fanstory. :) Bob
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You are loved, Bob. I am so sensitive to the pain of others, so it was important to me to adequately express, the best way I could, how deeply sorrow I feel for this life-changing loss.
God bless you and your beautiful wife. Remember, we love you, and we're your family, too :)
Catherine
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Iknow, Catherine. I know. :) Bob
Comment from LaFrance
Bob, sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your heartbreaking of your son. Your son was a handsome young man and gave you and your wife a lot of happiness. Being disabled I went to a school for the disabled. I had friends who their disabilities shorten their lives and did not live pass grade school. What I recall of them today is their smiles and the joy they gave the little time they were here.
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Bob, sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your heartbreaking of your son. Your son was a handsome young man and gave you and your wife a lot of happiness. Being disabled I went to a school for the disabled. I had friends who their disabilities shorten their lives and did not live pass grade school. What I recall of them today is their smiles and the joy they gave the little time they were here.
Comment Written 12-May-2019
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Thank you for your understanding, my friend. It is much appreciated. Remember to hold on to those you love and express that as often as possible because we never know if they will be here tomorrow. Life is strange. Bob
Comment from victortouche
Jesus H. Sweet Christ Bob.
I am sick. I have an only
child. A daughter. I truly
am not sure I could go on
without her.
My brother died in 2012.
He was 54.
My mother never left his room
for the nine tormented days it
took.
I watched my mother die inside.
I watched the monitors slowly
record the slowing of his
heartbeat.
No one should ever lose a child.
My deepest condolences and respect.
Doug
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Jesus H. Sweet Christ Bob.
I am sick. I have an only
child. A daughter. I truly
am not sure I could go on
without her.
My brother died in 2012.
He was 54.
My mother never left his room
for the nine tormented days it
took.
I watched my mother die inside.
I watched the monitors slowly
record the slowing of his
heartbeat.
No one should ever lose a child.
My deepest condolences and respect.
Doug
Comment Written 12-May-2019
reply by the author on 12-May-2019
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Hello, my friend. I posted it again after ten years so that more Fanstorians could see it snd perhaps realize how truly short life is. Best to hold the ones you love and tell them how much you love them while you can. They may be gone tomorrow.
God bless you and yours, Doug. :) Bob
Comment from F. Wehr3
Thanks for sharing this truly heart-wrenching and tragic story, Bob. I had to stop and wipe the tears away. No parent should ever have to bury their child.
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 11-May-2019
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Thanks for sharing this truly heart-wrenching and tragic story, Bob. I had to stop and wipe the tears away. No parent should ever have to bury their child.
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 11-May-2019
reply by the author on 11-May-2019
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Thank you Russ. Life is truly strange and something like this makes you realize just how much, you know? Bless you. Bob
Comment from susand3022
Hi Bob, This really should have a 6 but I haven't got any left to give. I have tears rolling down my face though. I can't even imagine losing him. I too have just one son, I think I'd more than likely go mad. I'm so sorry that you have had to endure this hardship and so glad that you have found your way through to the other side.
reply by the author on 11-May-2019
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Hi Bob, This really should have a 6 but I haven't got any left to give. I have tears rolling down my face though. I can't even imagine losing him. I too have just one son, I think I'd more than likely go mad. I'm so sorry that you have had to endure this hardship and so glad that you have found your way through to the other side.
Comment Written 11-May-2019
reply by the author on 11-May-2019
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Hi, Suze. Thank yo so much for your understanding. There is another thing I learned when all of this came about. Of course in our case, my wife had no choice. But if we had, we would have had a few more children. Reason being, like some people remarked later on. Having just one child...don't put all of your eggs in one basket if possible. Bless you, my friend. Bob
Comment from Dutchie
I'm so sorry for your loss, Bob. I can't imagine that there is nothing worse
than losing your only child. I have one daughter you see, I'm her mother and friend and are very close. And yes, Father Harding was right, if you survive this, you can overcome everything. It changes your life and attitude forever. Thanks for sharing this Bob and take care. Fia
reply by the author on 10-May-2019
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I'm so sorry for your loss, Bob. I can't imagine that there is nothing worse
than losing your only child. I have one daughter you see, I'm her mother and friend and are very close. And yes, Father Harding was right, if you survive this, you can overcome everything. It changes your life and attitude forever. Thanks for sharing this Bob and take care. Fia
Comment Written 10-May-2019
reply by the author on 10-May-2019
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Thank you so much, dear friend, Fia. I first posted this ten years ago and knew that perhaps manay Fanstorians had not read it yet.
It is wonderful that you and your daughter are so close Bless you both. XBob
Comment from tfawcus
There are times when I wonder why people resurrect old posts, but this isn't one of them. Not only is it a splendidly constructed piece of writing, but it gives a new generation of FanStorians an opportunity to know you better. My godson died of a brain tumour the day before his 21st birthday, so I have some slight second-hand experience of the trauma of losing a child. His parents, who number amongst my dearest friends, still feel the sharpness of that loss thirty years on. It is a wound that never heals. My condolences, Bob.
reply by the author on 10-May-2019
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There are times when I wonder why people resurrect old posts, but this isn't one of them. Not only is it a splendidly constructed piece of writing, but it gives a new generation of FanStorians an opportunity to know you better. My godson died of a brain tumour the day before his 21st birthday, so I have some slight second-hand experience of the trauma of losing a child. His parents, who number amongst my dearest friends, still feel the sharpness of that loss thirty years on. It is a wound that never heals. My condolences, Bob.
Comment Written 10-May-2019
reply by the author on 10-May-2019
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Thank you, Tony. Yes, that is why I released it again. This was first put up there 10 years ago. Bless you and thanks so much for your consideration and the six stars of course. Bless you, Tony.
Comment from kleck140
You have touched my heart and soul..I share with you the
grief you must have experienced. I started the first grief
support group in November 1971 after my husband's death
in southeastern Wisconsin. Grief is an emotional roller coaster ride.
Thank you for sharing your story.
reply by the author on 09-May-2019
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You have touched my heart and soul..I share with you the
grief you must have experienced. I started the first grief
support group in November 1971 after my husband's death
in southeastern Wisconsin. Grief is an emotional roller coaster ride.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Comment Written 09-May-2019
reply by the author on 09-May-2019
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God bless you, Kleck. Thank you. Bob
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You are welcome!