Posted on 08/01/2007 5:11:17 PM PDT by silent_jonny
As most of us already know, she passed away suddenly this week. She had been sick for quite some time, but I don’t think any of us knew exactly how sick she really was.
We’re all in shock … stunned by this …
Gretchen suffered through so much pain in her life that we can’t help but rejoice and thank God she’s now being held in the arms of her friend Jesus--her tears wiped away forever. But then we remember the friend we’ve lost and our tears still flow.
It’s fitting that we have a tribute for G here on the Dose. She was the backbone of this thread, its heart and its spirit. She posted it (often without help) for many years until recently when her health forced her to stop completely. But she never left us. She was always as close as a ping or private message, ready with a kind and reassuring word. Or just a “LOL!”
It was her hope that, once she felt better, she would resume her posting duties … That’s how dedicated she was to the Dose. That’s how much she loved her friends here.
I hope she knew how much we loved her.
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Many people find it awkard if they are given things and cannot give back whether for financial reasons or simply they do not want to give. Gretchen had that ability to enjoy and appreciate what was given her however large or small and make the giver feel that they had enriched her life in some small way.
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Certainly such a gentle, good soul as Gretchen will be so rewarded …
I’ve thought about it a lot and decided that if you could put links on tonight’s thread to the Elvis version of ‘Amazing Grace’ and Brooks & Dunn’s ‘I Believe’ that would represent my feelings perfectly.
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As we gather here tonight to remember our friend, please take a moment to pray for her son Mark. May God comfort and strengthen him at this difficult time.Click here to read Marks beautiful message about his mom. You can see Gretchen’s faith and character reflected in his words.
Please say a prayer for Gretchen’s cousin Carrie and ask that we may continue to receive updates on her progress. Lord, bless this family.
And please remember Gretchen's young friend Sabrina as well.
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.
May God rest your soul in peace precious sister.
jm
Hi sweet thang. I love you too....
Hugs Bear
No kidding! I got so fed up last week on one of the "Fred's not conservative enough for me, because he doesn't support deporting everyone now" threads that I commented that, at this point, not even Jesus would meet their criteria because He said to "Welcome the stranger in your midst".
The trademark file/brief case again.
Dolly have sent you a regular email with the info you wanted.
I am so shocked about Gretchen, I did not even know she was that sick. God Bless...Gretchen.
I have sent you a regular email as promised.
Oz great to see you but sad the circumstances - Gretchen was a wonderful person and although I had never met her in person or even spoke on the phone yet she was a true and dear friend.
Lovely photo of Karl
Amen a very special person
I think I will be similar tomorrow Jonny, this week I think will seem to all of us that each edition of the dose is in her memory and the very special contribution she had to the thread.
Wonderful words
That is one of my favourite Christian songs Jonny and so Gretchen
(((snugs)))
Gretchen sent me several CDs of praise songs from her church. She was always thinking of ways to help and support others.
Here’s a copy of her last freepmail sent to give me comfort when she learned of the death of my beloved husband Richard.
I had no idea she was so ill. My heart goes out to her son Mark and her large extended family.
I spoke to her only one time but I will always remember her strong faith, lovely voice and lilting laughter.
She is now singing with sweet angels in her happy heavenly home!
Grace
From GretchenM | 07/25/2007 4:51:43 AM EDT replied
Dear Julie,
I find myself praying one word over you and all your loved ones recently: “Grace.”
Also that you will have grace to focus on your heavenly reunion with Richard, where there will be no pain or suffering, nor any more loss, so as to lessen things now at hand.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Tender love and prayers,
Gretchen
A Wartime President
Hugh Hewitt
President Bush invited ten talk hosts into the Oval Office for an hour of conversation today --Glenn Beck, Bill Bennett, Neal Boortz, Scott Hennon, Laura Ingraham, Lars Larson, Mark Levin, Michael Medved, Janet Parshall and me. This was an off-the-record conversation, and so I won't be quoting the president.
I will say on today's show that I am confident about the course of the war and about the momentum in Iraq, as well of the president's absolute commitment to doing right by the troops and his concern for every lost and wounded soldier and their families. President Bush's command of the details and his broad view of the conflict is reassuring, and among my comments to him was the wish that he found more opportunities to engage in long interviews that would allow the American public to see that grasp and that commitment.
I sent you a regular email this evening
Thanks cubby :o)
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