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Back to Historical ListingAcknowledgements and Expressions of Gratitude
- 2004-07-21 13:38:52
Kurt and Sophia and I would like to thank everyone who has participated with us in the process of grieving for Simone. We are not done mourning her yet, but it is past time for us to acknowledge all the kind thoughts, the persistent prayers and the sympathy we have received in this darkest hour of our lives. - - - -
So, in no particular order and without naming names and publicizing people more than they might want to be publicized (you will know who you are, after all):
- Thank you to everyone who attended Simone in her last hours. Thanks to the two young doctors (at least, I think they were doctors) who were the first people to cry with us in the emergency room at Children's Hospital . I know that you both told me your names, but I don't remember them now. I keep remembering your faces, though, how undisguised and sad they were, and how you were unafraid to cry with us. Thank you to our pediatrician, to the staff at the regular children's clinic and to all the staff at both of the emergency rooms we had the misfortune of having to be at with our baby. Thank you to the people who autopsied her, and to the coroner, who as of yet has not given a true cause of death but who solemnly told Kurt over the telephone that she had been a beautiful baby. Thank you to those at the funeral home who made everything so easy on us, and who took care of the corpse in the way we wished them to.
- Thank you to everyone who visited the site, read the news and felt moved by it. There were far more of you than we dreamed there would be.
- Thank you to everyone who commented on the post. So many of you felt echoes of our experience. Some of you, without knowing us personally, wrote us about some private pains of your own while others wrote words of encouragement and we appreciate both. Astonishingly, for the internet, no one said anything rude, inappropriate or hurtful. We thank everyone who took the time to reach out to us and remind us that we are not alone on this earth.
- Thank you to everyone who came to the memorial service. We needed you there to be with us and you were. It is not as easy to share in sadness as in joy and we truly admire the strength of those who were present with us. Some of you came from very far away. We acknowledge your extra effort to be with us at the service.
- Thank you to everyone who sent flowers to the memorial service and to the house. Your gesture is appreciated. The perfume that filled our house and the church was beautiful.
- Thank you to everyone who sent us sympathy cards. So many arrived that we cannot personally answer all of them, and I would never have dreamed that I might one day receive such an overwhelming amount of mail that I could not directly answer all of it. Perhaps this is how famous authors feel. The cards sent were so very heartfelt and many people wrote long paragraphs relating their sympathy in honest and direct voices which moved us to many tears.
- Likewise, thank you to everyone who sent us email. These messages too flowed in like the waters of a deep river, giving us a continuous current of support from distant places. I heard from strangers, past friends, current friends, acquaintances and family. We are grateful for your voices.
- Thank you to everyone who brought food to us. In truth it was very difficult to eat, especially at first, but we understand that feeding someone is the distilled essence of caring for them and we thank you for the sustenance itself as well as for the meaning behind the act of feeding us. My husband's co-workers deserve a special mention here, as their outpouring of food was consistent and enormous and a real boon to us. You guys are great.
- Thank you to everyone who went to special efforts for Sophia. You brought her presents, and offered to keep her or actually kept her for some of that first week when everything was so terribly difficult for us. You smiled at her and watched over her and were very careful not to say anything confusing to her. You gave her books and crayons and stuffed animals and special drinks and delicious treats. She loved every minute of it, I promise you.
- Thank you to everyone who came by and called us to check on us. Thank you to everyone who cried with us and who hugged us and who listened to us babble incoherently about our lovely Simone. We are so grateful for these gestures that we can hardly describe it.
- Thank you to everyone who gave money to Children's Hospital in Simone's name. Thank you to everyone who gave money to other causes in Simone's name. This is most meaningful to us, because it gives us a sense that there is some positive return, some good thing that comes out of all this horror. Thank you, also, to everyone who sent us checks. The money will go to Children's Hospital, in Simone's name.
- And lastly, thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. This we still need above all. The way is treacherous. Continue to pray.
I have probably forgotten some class of kindness that was offered to us during this hard time, although I hope I have mostly covered everything. It is hard for me to say thank you right now, not because we are not all truly and extensively grateful, but because it is painful to be thankful for things when you are so broken and raw despite everything that everyone has done for you. And yet, I see the goodness of the world in the small and steady kindnesses of so many people that I must say something about it even if it is not easy to do so. I have tried. I hope all of you who are so deserving of this gratitude have heard my attempts.
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