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FReeper GretchenM (formerly GretchenEE) has died.
Gretchen's son Mark | 31 July 2007 | DollyCali

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



TOPICS: Announcements; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: belovedfriend; godresthersoul; gretchenee; gretchenm; heartbroken; prayersformark; prayersformike; prayersforsabrina; rip; weloveyougem; wemissyougretchen
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To: DollyCali

A great loss for FR and those who loved her, a great gain for heaven.

Prayers for her family.


161 posted on 07/31/2007 6:43:02 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (With Republicans like these, who needs Democrats??)
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To: DollyCali

Prayers for Gretchen and her family and friends.


162 posted on 07/31/2007 6:45:05 PM PDT by TrishaSC
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Comment #163 Removed by Moderator

To: pinz-n-needlez
Our love to Carrie also. She is always in our prayers.

Yes, indeed.

I'm just stunned here...

164 posted on 07/31/2007 6:49:09 PM PDT by prairiebreeze
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To: Purple Mountains Maj; GretchenM; snugs; mystery-ak; Wolfstar; rintense; Kaslin; Bahbah; ...
This is one of my favorite hymns. It popped into my mind tonight and I've been humming it to myself for the past hour ...

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 shore

If 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 life

Where 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 shore

And 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!

165 posted on 07/31/2007 6:50:37 PM PDT by silent_jonny (There's always one more thing you can do.)
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To: DollyCali
Sending this for her son and her friends on this thread.
166 posted on 07/31/2007 6:51:21 PM PDT by jaycee ("God's love still stands when all else has fallen.")
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To: silent_jonny

Prayers up.


167 posted on 07/31/2007 6:52:29 PM PDT by ChicagoConservative27
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To: DollyCali
 
 
 
Good grief - the past year has been rough in FReeperland.
 
Prayers up for a beautiful lady - inside and out.
 
 
 
 

168 posted on 07/31/2007 6:54:53 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
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To: DollyCali; STARWISE; silent_jonny
Thank you All for the Pings, and I'm just in Shock at this News. Gem was Always the Nicest, Kindest Person, and when she and I Exchanged Several Freepmails in the Past, her Sweet Spirit Blessed my Heart. She was Always Thinking of Others, of how she could Pray for them, and how she could Bring them a Blessing. I'm Grateful to our Lord to have Known her; she was a Beautiful Person in Every Way, and will be So Missed.

We Love you, (((((((Gem))))))).


169 posted on 07/31/2007 6:57:38 PM PDT by Kitty Mittens (To God Be All Excellent Praise!!)
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To: Libertina

Ping. We’ve lost a Puget Sound FReeper.


170 posted on 07/31/2007 6:58:31 PM PDT by Publius (A = A)
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To: DollyCali

May Gretchen rest in peace. She will be missed here on FR. Condolences to Mark and family.


171 posted on 07/31/2007 6:58:54 PM PDT by texastoo ((((((USA)))))((((((, USA))))))((((((. USA))))))))
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To: silent_jonny

Amen! & A blessed assurance, to any & all who are saved.
Truly salves a saved grieving one’s, temporal hurt & sorrow.


172 posted on 07/31/2007 6:59:46 PM PDT by Majie Purple (I (Heart Shape Here) JESUS. ..and my Bro and FRee Republic! &The Friends/FRiends I've met here!)
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To: Kitty Mittens

Amen Kitty


173 posted on 07/31/2007 7:01:24 PM PDT by snugs ((An English Cheney Chick - Big Time))
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To: Purple Mountains Maj

Condolences to the family and R.I.P. Gretchen.


174 posted on 07/31/2007 7:01:53 PM PDT by Never2baCrat (I used to be modest, now I'm perfect!)
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To: DollyCali

God bless Gretchen and her family and friends.

Prayers sent.


175 posted on 07/31/2007 7:02:56 PM PDT by pax_et_bonum (I will always love you, Flyer.)
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To: DollyCali; twin2

Gretchen's Last two posts on the CARRIE THREAD



To: snugs; silent_jonny; onyx; JulieRNR21; Just A Nobody; DrDeb; SnarlinCubBear; Miss Marple; ...
Hi everyone,

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.

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

Woohoo! Thank You, Lord!
2,754 posted on 07/19/2007 5:35:18 PM EDT by GretchenM (What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Please meet my friend, Jesus)

@@@

To: twin2

Thank you! Her mom sent an update after the Carrie saw the doctors on Friday; I need to format and post it.

2,773 posted on 07/21/2007 12:58:08 PM EDT by GretchenM (What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Please meet my friend, Jesus)

176 posted on 07/31/2007 7:03:25 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your God is!)
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To: DollyCali
Prayer for the family...and thanks to God for a righteous life.

Gretchen, say a prayer for us FReepers still down here :-)

177 posted on 07/31/2007 7:06:01 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: Never2baCrat; DollyCali; silent_jonny; All
T Y & I realize you are probably just attaching on to my recent post but this condolence belongs to Gretchen’s son,Mark;and Thread starter, Dolly Cali and or silent Jonny ping provider etc...I volley Your post to them & All
178 posted on 07/31/2007 7:08:33 PM PDT by Majie Purple (I (Heart Shape Here) JESUS. ..and my Bro and FRee Republic! &The Friends/FRiends I've met here!)
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To: DollyCali

RIP Freeper.


179 posted on 07/31/2007 7:12:23 PM PDT by tioga
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To: DollyCali

Better than any “Opus”. Rest in peace, dear Gretchen.


180 posted on 07/31/2007 7:15:04 PM PDT by bvw
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