She sent me several photos of her growing up and as a young women I think this is my favourite one of her in ninth grade
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
I’ll miss GretchenEE............kind lady.
This is very sad news. Prayers for GretchenM and her family.
She sent me several photos of her growing up and as a young women I think this is my favourite one of her in ninth grade
My prayers are that the Lord comfort you and your family. May you find strength in the knowledge of a glorious reunion we will all have at the feet of our Lord and Saviour.
What?! This is the former GretchenEE? Oh crud, I had no idea she was even ill. Oh crud; now everything’s all blurry. Oh crud; I’m so sorry for your loss, Mark. We had some pleasant correspondence... but with the FRemail search perennially broken, I doubt I could find it. We go ‘way back.
Her ongoing thread about her cousin CARRIE is a testament to the power of prayer.
Rest in Peace, dear lady.
Dolly, thanks for posting the link to your thread of her on the Finest. Her personality, humor and love of Christ show through in her words.
Dolly, we can edit or fix the body of a thread where the first article or story is, and we can fix titles, but we do not have any way to be able to edit posts on a thread. The only thing we can do with a post on a thread is to remove it.
We received your FReepmail and I have removed your post #8, if you’d like to repost it.
Prayers for GretchenM and her family.
I’m in shock!
May God welcome her home..
Prayers for Mark and family..
Ms.B
Eragon at present I am too shocked for tears though they are at the back of my eyes, she was a very very special person and I loved her dearly.
She's in a better place than we are, and we hope to see her eventually.
I'm shocked and numbed by this.
Gretchen was one of the first friends I made on FR ... In her own quiet way, she was one of the pillars of this site.
When she asked me to be a Dose host, I told her that everyone on that thread is like a second family to me, and it's true. Gretchen was like a big sister ...
I don't have any brothers or sisters in real life, so that relationship meant a lot to me personally.
I just realized that Gretchen is now reunited with her brother that passed away last year. Praise God and thank You for Your mercy.
Amen jonny
RIP GretchenM.
Such sad news — prayers and condolences to her family and friends.
Prayers up!
So sad to hear that. May she rest in peace.
Prayers going up.
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