Comments on: Father’s Day (Stinking Firsts)

By: Marianne Cowan

Marianne Cowan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:33:20 +0000

Tom:

Just wanted to drop you a note to wish you a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”! Hope you have a great day!!!!!

By: Julie Widick

Julie Widick — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:52:59 +0000

Tom, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Deb as you try to see what God has planned for you now. We just got back fromour “last” family vacation. We went on a Mediterrean cruise with our daughters before Becky moves into her own apartment and Holly moves to Texas to go go grad school at Baylor. Randy just got a job in Scottsboro, Al and will be there for the summer. Take care and know you are loved. Randy and Julie

By: Katy

Katy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:49:50 +0000

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By: Jackie Melear

Jackie Melear — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:22:53 +0000

Tom and Deb,
I never met you but feel as I know you through your mom Irene. We have kept track of your ordeal and loss of Ian on Caring Bridge. You continue to be in our prayers. What a treasure that God gave you the time you had with Ian. I can only imagine your emptiness without him. Find comfort in the lord and he will heal your grief with time. “Love Comforteth like sunshine after the rain” (William Shakespear) God Bless you.

Jackie and Ken

By: Kathy Eineke

Kathy Eineke — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:02:55 +0000

I have to confess that the “stinking split” comments when Ian played wii came from me. After I heard him use that same phraseology, I could not get that Genie back into the bottle. Sorry for the bad influence. However, I will treasure forever the fun we had together…love, Mom

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:43:40 +0000

Hey Tom!

I have to say that I’m thankful for your example of fatherhood. In the time you were with Ian I appreciated the dedication you showed to him and the example of real quality time that you spent with him. It is a blessing to me, my kids and I’m certain to many others.

Keep fighting the good fight,

Strength and Honor!

Dan

By: Tom Ernster

Tom Ernster — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:45:01 +0000

OK. I’m breaking my silence… What can anyone say and can anyone do that you don’t already know or have heard? I guess I will never understand suffering or why we go through it…

I found this interesting and worth a bit of reflection:

“Suffering seems to belong to man’s transcendence: it is one of those points in which man is in a certain sense “destined” to go beyond himself, and he is called to this in a mysterious way.” – Pope John Paul II / SALVIFICI DOLORIS / On the meaning of Human Suffering.

From my perspective (and I think the perspective of many), I think you can honestly say both you and Deb did, in-fact, go beyond yourselves attending to Ian while he graced your presence here and even now that he has passed – even if you don’t personally feel like you lived up to that standard.

I have no words of wisdom Tom. It sounds like hell, but I think you’re on to something. I just hope the memories get easier as time goes by.

Take care,

Tom

By: Paul Carlberg

Paul Carlberg — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:49:17 +0000

Hi Tom,

I’m touched by your words and enjoy reading them. I was thinking of you yesterday, and was hoping you could find rest in Gods arms.

Sincerly,

Paul

By: Brian Krupski

Brian Krupski — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:27:36 +0000

Hey Tom,
You have been and continue to be a great example for me on being a wonderful father. As much as it may seem there is no one to focus on for fathers day, you will always continue be Ian’s Dad. I’m sure he’s setting a new record for all the times he uses “Awesome” with everyone he encounters to describe what a guiding light you have been for him. And the best part (for him anyway) is that he gets it all now, God’s plan. We’ll see it too some day. For now the hard part is waiting that time out, and listening for God to show what’s next.

Happy Father’s Day, Tom!

By: Tonya Rodriguez

Tonya Rodriguez — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:28:03 +0000

Hi Tom I read your post about Father’s day and my heart hurts for you and Deb too. What you said at the end of the post is so true. The Lord knew that you would be able to handle this with Ian. It may not feel like you have or feel like you do but the Lord knows our hearts and He says he will never put more upon us than we can bare. There is a reason for everything. I hope that one day you and Deb may write a book about Ian for all of those that were so blessed by him but never got to meet him personally. He was very special. You are a Father and always will be not even death can take that away from anyone. I think Ian has looked down upon you today and told Jesus “that’s my dad and I’m proud of him” and “I’m thankful Jesus that you made him to be my Dad” You and Deb both stay in my prayers. God bless In Him. Tonya.