Such a beautiful lady. Blessings and condolences to her family.
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
Prayers up for Mark and everyone who knew and now misses GretchenM.
FR roll call is one light today ... But Heaven has added one.
An interesting observation! and you are right
Thoughts and prayers for Gretchen and her family
Rest in Peace Gretchen. Condolences to Mark and all of Gretchen’s family and friends.
The Lady will be missed around here.
F.J.M.
I'll be praying for Gretchen's family. I don't think she needs it. She is in God's arms right now.
OH MY .. no!!!!
I haven’t known GretchenM only through the Carrie thread. I found a woman of such great faith and courage. I went to the thread today to check on Carrie, and thought something must be wrong, there were no updates from Gretchen!! She is in the presence of God Himself now. I am so sorry and saddened concerning this. I didn’t know that she had been sick or suffering at all.I am heartsick right now.
Polly....
ps. will there be anyone to follow up on Carrie for us?
Our Lord has called in another Angel. Prayers for you Mark and your family. May the Lord give you comfort and peace, and know that one day, we will all be together again in a joyous reunion.
Thanks for the ping Dolly. Rest in peace GretchenM.
Prayers respectfully offered.
My thoughts and prayers for Mark and the rest of the family. Mark, your dear Mother will be sorely and profoundly missed here. She was a very beloved FReeper, for millions of reasons. May she Rest In Peace.
And prayers to all those that are grieving the loss of our dear friend and sister in Christ.
To Gretchen’s family: Please accept the condolences of another FReeper ‘98 classmate. Rest in peace, lovely lady.
Gretchen sounds like she was a lovely woman and inspiration to all. May God keep her and the Perpetual Light shine upon her. I do not know why I had never encountered her before. I guess I was hanging out on the wrong threads. I am sorry to have missed Gretchen.
I am so sorry to hear this. I used to have so much fun with her. RIP dear friend.
OMG Dolly, I have been away for weeks, and just saw this news. I’m so stunned and saddened, I can’t believe it.
Many many prayers for GEM’s family and all her friends who are grieving now.
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