[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh, Oxford, I'm so sorry for your loss. God gave you that little one for such a short time, and for reasons we'll never understand here on earth, He took him home. He's holding your baby now, Oxford.

Your Freeper Family is here for you, OK? Anything you need, you let us know. And definitely, prayers for you and your family.

[MissAmericanPie]

My heart felt sympathy. Words fail me, I can only extend a prayer that our Lord wrap you in his comfort, and remind you of His blessed hope. Jesus wept.

[olliemb]

I doubt anyone will ever understand the loss of a young child. God promised love and life everlasting. Your Michael is now at home with the Father and is waiting for you to finish your chores. I will forever keep you in my daily prayers and pray for the solace that is needed at times like this, for the resolution that this is part of God's plan and for the courage to carry on. You now have a very special little angel watching and guiding you in your daily life. I know Michael was very special to you.

[Salvation]

Here is a little story that speaks to God's Plan. I hope you enjoy it.

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything at all from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

Then the first tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said, "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill.

When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what it wanted, just not in the way it had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

[Grammy]

Dear OxfordMovement,
My sincerest condolences on your loss. The Lord Jesus has welcomed little Michael with open arms. May He also cover you with His love and comfort in your time of grief. My prayers are with you and your family.

[knighthawk]

When I was reading this, I really felt so sad. I hope, no, I know you and your family will find the strength to carry on.

[wendelmyer]

I am so very sorry, you and your family are in my prayers

[NCEaglette]

I am so sorry OxfordMovement. I can only imagine what you and your family are going through with the loss of your little angel. You and your family are in my prayers.

[Alberta's Child]

Words may not mean much at this time, but my prayers are with you and your family. Don't hesitate to post a request if there is anything at all that we here at FreeRepublic can do for you.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

May God Bless You and Give You Strength. My heart goes out to you.

John 14:
Jesus said:

[1] Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

[2] In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Psalm 121:

I lift up my eyes to the hills---where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

[EODGUY]

My heart aches for you. You and your family as well as your son in heaven will be the focus of my prayers.

God Bless,

EODGUY

[cicero's_son]

May Jesus comfort you and your wife in this terrible time. I am so sorry for your loss.

[dandelion]

You are precious to God, and to us. You are not alone. Many here share this deepest grief with you and your wife. They can tell you that after the storm passes you will live, and be strong, and guide others through this valley even as they are now reaching to guide you.

Tell your wife that we love her. In the secret garden of her heart, your beautiful boy will bloom; always treasured, always in view, even when unspoken. Your love gave him life, and death cannot change that.

[Movemout]

My prayers go out for your family. What a great mystery is life that would remove a loved boy and leave a miscreant. He is in the arms of our God and basking in the sound of the angelic choir. God is the pillar of strength upon which you must lean. I am experiencing great sorrow because my twin grandsons are here for a visit and if anything happened to them I would be devastated. May God grant you and yours moments of serenity when you need them most.

[LoneGOPinCT]

My sincerest condolences, my FRiend. Having two little ones of my own and another on its' way, I can not even to begin to imagine what you and your family are going through. My eyes are tearing up just thinking about it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and precious Michael. While it's of little consolation, he is in a far better place. Sometimes things are just beyond comprehension.

With sympathy,
LoneGOPinCT, Mrs.LoneGOPinCT, & family

[Fred Mertz]

You and your family are in my prayers.

My sincere condolences on your tragic loss. RIP Michael.

[Bigg Red]

I cannot begin to imagine your grief at the loss of a child. May Our Heavenly Father grant you solace and give you the strength to carry on for your family. My heart aches for you and your wife and family.

[Revelation 911]

Prayers & blessings to OM/family & blessed Michael (you have my freepmail by now)

Ping to some heavy hitters - who might have already been pinged here.

Particular note to RNMa, who can speak to this best.

[drstevej]

I join with the many who lift you and your wife up to the Father. Grace and peace and comfort for this day and those which follow be yours.

[Marysecretary]

Dear Oxford: My love and prayers go out to you in the loss of your child. We can never understand the whys of these tragedies. I thank God you were blessed with this child's presence and that your memories will sustain all of you. I know how I would feel if that happened to one of mine or to a grandchild but I can't know how broken your hearts must be. Only God and you know that and He and He alone is the mender of broken hearts. One day at a time, Oxford. That's how you and your family will get through this. A happier time will come and God will be with you every minute even when He seems far away at times. He's always near. We love you. Mary