Tom....... My earlier reply was too brief, and perhaps too cavalier, regarding your loss of a child. We have never met and do not know each other, and yet...If so, I apologize for being to casual. I do know the deep pain it gives us.

We had 3 wonderful sons, and then an evenmore delightful daughter, and they have made my life a wonderful song. Four years ago, on a Saturday morning, my wife and I. and our 45 year old daughter, were sitting with a cup of coffee at 10:30 am when we received a call from California that our middle son had died overnight, leaving 6 kids behind.

It was the most awful and painful day of my life. Even now, after 4 years, and the loss, 2 and 1/2 years ago, of my wife of 56 years, it is still the most painful memory in my heart.

Nothing I can say or do will make that any easier for you, but I am writing this, through my tears, to tell you that you are not alone, that at least one of us, and most likely more, do get it; we have been there, and unfortunately done that.

I hope and trust that you will find the strength to come to peace in your heart, and find a path to more happiness. As I look forward to being 80 years old in about 3 months, I almost feeel like that has become my specialty, my life's mission. I will be enjoying a granddaughter's wedding here in Atlanta on March 2, and I will be singing for them before the service. All my closedst family will be here, and it will be a truly joyous week. A very special place will be mentally reserved and occupied in all of our hearts for my son Steve and for his Mom Lee at all of the services. We will cry, but we will exalt! Life does go on. And I will think of you and your loss.

May you and all of your family fond solice and peace and happiness.

AD

Rick Gebelein, Atlanta GA