2008-09-10 Wednesday

[delaneysdad]

This morning the phone rang and 4:45 am with my wife on the line. She was checking on me. She said I sounded panicked. I guess that is because I had fallen back to sleep and was actually sleeping soundly unlike previous mornings. I was happy to hear from her. Then I got to speak to my son. He was in a great mood. It was so cool to hear him happy.

Comments

[mollywad]

Dear random poster,
I found your journal while browsing random live journal posts and read them all the way back to the beginning.
I know I am a stranger, I don't know you, your family, and I didn't know Delaney, but your writings moved me to tears and I'm not here to say how sorry I am, because I know that's the last thing someone grieving a loss wants to hear one more time.
In reading your entries, I have found a renewed sense of appreciation for life and the world, and everything wonderful that is around us, that we as humans take for granted everyday, that can so easily be taken from us.
Thank you for telling Delaney's story. From how you talk about her and her pictures, she is indeed a beautiful girl.
Thank you again. I will remember you and your family (of course including Delaney) and send comfort and encouraging feelings through the universe.
All my love and hope to you and yours,
Molly D
Richmond, Kentucky

[delaneysdad]

Dear Molly,

Thank you for your kind words and your support and encouragement. Thank you for reading Delaney's story. I believe that if her story is read (good and bad) her memory lives on.

If there is a lesson to be learned from my little girl it is that Life should be lived to the fullest. Delaney lived and loved life. She wanted to do everything and try everything. She was an inspiration in that regard. So if you are a parent then hug your kids and enjoy them. If you are an Aunt, a Friend then hug the kids around you.

As for saying I'm sorry. I think that that phrase is the one that is most honest. People don't necessarily know how to respond. Most cannot understand or relate but being sympathetic to the situation is an honest reaction.

Again thank you for your post and for your kindness. I am not sure why you were inspired to read about such grief I hope that it is not because of any great loss in your life.

Best wishes and sincere thanks,
Jeff

[nevermore_x]

I read all the entries about your trip... but I'm just going to leave one, general comment.

All I have to say is that you are an amazing person -- strong, compassionate, brave, etc. And you are an unbelievable father from what I am reading in all of your posts.

[delaneysdad]

Thank you for your kind words. I wish I could feel or believe those things about me. The one I cling to is that I am a father. I take pride in that. I try hard to be a good one, a loving one, a compassionate one maybe even a friend.

If you think that I am strong and brave because I get out of bed every day. Of because I go to work and take care of my family every day. These are the things that I am supposed to do. I am required to do. If these make me brave then thank you for the confidence.

But if they make me brave then you too need to look into the mirror and realize that you are strong and brave. You are an amazing person.

Thank you for your kind words.