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 dont think any of us knew exactly how sick she really was.
Were all in shock stunned by this
Gretchen suffered through so much pain in her life that we cant help but rejoice and thank God shes now being held in the arms of her friend Jesus--her tears wiped away forever. But then we remember the friend weve lost and our tears still flow.
Its 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 Thats how dedicated she was to the Dose. Thats how much she loved her friends here.
I hope she knew how much we loved her.
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
Ive thought about it a lot and decided that if you could put links on tonights thread to the Elvis version of Amazing Grace and Brooks & Dunns 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 Gretchens faith and character reflected in his words.
Please say a prayer for Gretchens 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.
Hi, Seven :) Thank you.
Thank you, Lysie. It’s my pleasure.
Amen and amen! Thank you, Prairie.
We should remember to pray for Gretchen’s friend Mike. He was her best friend and she spoke of him often ... I’m sure this is all hitting him very hard.
Thank you for your prayers!
I'm glad you're here.
Thank you for posting this special thread for our dear Gretchen . . . My thoughts and prayers are with Gretchen and her beloved son!
Im rarely at a loss for words, but this is one of those times when I dont think I could ever get out whats in my heart.
I know what you mean ... I don't really know what to say or how to say it.
I'm glad you're here too, my friend.
How have you been today?
Well said, Oz :) Good to see you.
Hello,Silent One:) (You know, re: color & size of text thang! :)
You know also how glad i am that I Am put you here.
(normally a capital y...But you also “get” why not this time.)
HUGS!
Thank you so much for what you said. Please give a big thank you to Onyx. And one of these for both of you: (((friends)))
:)
Thanks for posting the picture of Gretchen and her son; very sweet. Prayers for her family and friends. Sorry to lose an awesome FReeper but also content to know Gretchen knew her Maker.
I keep thinking about the little girl that GEM was coaching in reading. It must also be hard for that child. But she was blessed to have had Gretchen as her friend, and Gretchen was blessed by the child’s eagerness to learn.
I’m glad to join you, Jonny. Will be home in probably a half hour. A few minutes to settle the critters, and then I can post more easily.
MUST READ . . .
WHY THE SURGE MIGHT NOT BE STOPPED
By: Jim VandeHei
Aug 1, 2007 06:10 AM EST
Sens. Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) grabbed all the headlines last month when they called for change in Iraq war strategy. But conversations reveal that many more Republicans privately fear the war is lost — both politically and on the ground.
This has created a widespread perception that President Bush will be forced to shift plans and begin bringing U.S. troops home in early 2008 after a military progress report is delivered to Congress next month. And that might happen.
Yet there are very good reasons to believe the prevailing conventional wisdom on Iraq might turn out to be wrong once again.
The reasons are simple: the power of the presidency, the anguished feelings of many congressional Republicans and math. In short, Bush is in no mood to yield.
You can read the entire commentary here:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0707/5193.html
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LISTEN TO GOLDWATER
By Quin Hillyer
Published 8/1/2007 12:08:59 AM
At the 1960 Republican National Convention in Chicago, Barry Goldwater famously told conservatives to “grow up.” It’s time we hear that message again.
As in 1960, the conservative movement seems grumbling, disaffected, even downright angry — and, most importantly, it sometimes seems more interested in complaining and moaning than in uniting, constructively, to achieve political success.
What’s worse is that we seem to be fighting among ourselves. Every chance we get, we take shots at other conservatives. Nobody, it seems, is good enough. We moan that nobody is another Reagan. Nobody is another Churchill. Nobody is another Washington.
To which we ought to say, so what? There’s only one Second Coming, and He isn’t running for anything.
It’s time we look at the good things we’ve got — and the good people, and the good times. Take stock of those goods, and celebrate them, and consolidate them in an attractive way, and build, build, build upon them.
You can read the entire commentary here:
http://spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=11811
Thank you, SE Mom. God bless you too.
Thank you, Tom. Amen to everything you wrote.
Thank you, Bear. It means so much. Hugs back to you.
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