[BraveMan]

I wanted to thank each and every one of you personally for taking the time to pray for us in our time of need. We could not have gotten through to this point without your prayers for strength and comfort. This thank you is long overdue, I know. It has taken this long for me to be able to summon the strength to deal with this in the manner I must; I thank you all for your patience.

To Howlin, Positive, Calico Cat, freedom44, JoJo Gunn, Euro-American Scum, silverleaf, WVNan and Estra Jean: We share a burden none of us would have taken on willingly. Truly no one can understand the depths of grief and dispair felt by those in our circumstance, unless they've experienced it for themselves. Many have said to us they understand, when truly they do not. They mean well, yet unless you've lived through the experience of losing a child, you simply cannot understand, as it is beyond a person's ability to reason through. Like you, I am exceedingly thankful for the moments, rare as they are, when I can set aside the pain and find myself able to smile and enjoy the moment. I treasure those moments (I used to take for granted) like never before. Perhaps the most difficult thing for me to endure is the realization that we are neither alone or unique in our loss; there are countless others just like us, sharing this very same burden.

To joanie-f: Thank you for your generous gift, and for the spirit in which it was given. Please know that my family has benefited from it as much as you had hoped, and more. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness, you need only ask.

To ValerieUSA: Thank you for the picture of the Sonrise. We cherish it more than you know. Thanks again.

To ODDITHER: God has blessed you with the gift of discernment. You are absolutely correct. I had no idea how many lives he touched in a positive way until after he was gone. Shame on me for not fully recognizing it until he was gone. I take a small measure of comfort from the knowledge my son had such a positive influence on so many other kids.

To those who did not post to this thread but prayed for us in secret, please accept our sincere gratitude. May God reward you openly for your prayers in secret, as He promised He would.

I ask that you all continue to pray for our son's friend, Matthew. While his physical injuries are nearly all healed, the injury to his mind and soul from the devastation at his hand continues to torment him. He needs the healing powers your prayers provide every bit as much as we do, if not more-so.

My wife has created a memorial web site celebrating the life of our son. I invite all of you to visit this site, share your thoughts and celebrate the life of our son. Click on the link below to visit this site.

http://www.jacobgosselin.memory-of.com/about.aspx

Know that all of you are in our prayers as well. Thank you all again.

[Squantos]

Prayers up for you, your family and Jacobs friends......

[Alamo-Girl]

What a beautiful tribute to your son! Praise God for him and for you and your wife.

[Mo1]

What a beautiful website and tribute to your loving son

Sending prayers and {{HUGS}} for you, your family and Matthew

Mo

[1lawlady]

You're welcome. I consider it a privilege to pray for FReeper families. My heart aches for your loss.

Susan

[blackie]

Thanks for sharing with us ~ you are in our prayers, brother!

[alpha-8-25-02]

continued prayers for comfort.

GODBLESS!

[Euro-American Scum]

We share a burden none of us would have taken on willingly. Truly no one can understand the depths of grief and dispair felt by those in our circumstance, unless they've experienced it for themselves.

As you say.

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace. -- Numbers 6:24-26

[Brad’s Gramma]

We're still praying, BraveMan. Your wife has put together a WONDERFUL tribute to your son!

I'm so sorry for your loss...

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Thanks,Braveman, for the update and the link. I watched the entire slide show twice.

As the mother of two young boys, I can not imagine the depths of your pain.

My prayers for you and your wife and your family and your baby boy. Until you meet your baby again I will hope that God can steal your pain away-somehow.

[Flora McDonald]

Prayers for your family and your son's friend. May God comfort, console and strengthen you.

[Boomer Geezer]

I am sorry I missed this the first time around.

Prayers for you and your family, although late on my part, are nevertheless being said, and will be said in the future.

My sincere condolences and apology for missing this so long ago.

[Azbushgal]

I just visited your website and was very moved. A friend of mine just lost her daughter. I can see the wonderful power of prayer and how it has ministered to you. You are a "Brave Man." Prayers up for you and all that surround you. Jake is smiling from heaven. Remember, God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! Romans 8:28.

[Lando Lincoln]

I can't help but respond again. I grew up in Oak Creek and your tribute to Jake touched me so much. I have twin sons who will turn 13 this summer. I can't imagine. May God keep you in his embrace. And may He help Matthew find peace.

Lando

[puroresu]

My prayers are with you and your family.

[Bigg Red]

May Our Lord watch over you and your family.

[Kryptonite]

You are welcome. What a moving tribute to your son! Prayers for peace and blessings to your family, Matthew and his family too.

[Thumper1960]

As always, you and yours are in our prayers and thoughts.

May God continue to comfort you and hold close to His protection, your son.

[Aracelis]

I ask that you all continue to pray for our son's friend, Matthew. While his physical injuries are nearly all healed, the injury to his mind and soul from the devastation at his hand continues to torment him. He needs the healing powers your prayers provide every bit as much as we do, if not more-so.

Your FReeper name suits you well, sir. Prayer being sent for Matthew, and for you and your wife. I have not lost a child, but one of mine ran away and I did not know if she was alive or dead for more than a year. The torment is indescribable, and heart goes out to you. Nevertheless, I rest in the hope that you will be reunited with your son in Glory at the appropriate moment...and all tears will be washed away by utter joy.

[joanie-f]

Perry and Karen,

Apologies for the late reply.

Your memorial web page is incredibly beautiful. I didn’t even know Jacob, but your photo album brought tears.

I am sure that everyone else you pinged to this message would agree with me that no thanks are necessary, and that we all realize that your grief is of the kind that few of us have ever experienced, no matter the sorrows we have known or burdens we have born. To attempt to comprehend the loss of a child without having actually experienced it is not humanly possible.

Every parent knows the major anxieties that occur at all ages of their children’s development – from ‘losing’ a child momentarily in a department store, to pacing the floor when a teenager is an hour late coming home from a date. At the root of all of those anxieties lies a parent’s worst fear. And the handful of you who didn’t experience the blessed relief of learning that your anxiety was unwarranted have our deepest sympathies … even though we can never fully comprehend your loss.

My choir recently performed this anthem with an accompaniment track. The congregation responded in a more appreciative way to this piece than to anything we have ever done. I believe it contains the kind of message that is desparately needed when we go through trials, and bear burdens, that seem more profound than human shoulders can endure. Please listen to it from beginning to end (and be patient with the long download time, if you have a dial-up connection). Although you appear to have come to grips with your loss, I know you both to be strong in your faith, so I believe the anthem will touch your hearts with its healing, comforting, hope-filled message:

Bow the Knee

Both of you have been an inspiration to many of us here on the forum (and surely to countless others your lives have touched every day) since Jacob’s death. You have received consolation in the knowledge that there will one day be a blessed reuinion with Jacob, the glory of which will eclipse all of the earthly pain you have endured. Your faith has not faltered, and your knowledge that He is in control, no matter our circumstances, has proven unshakable. You have proven faithful in the Lord through your wonderful Christian witness and example.

A heartfelt thank you …

~ joanie

[kcvl]

God Bless. My prayers are with you all.