A photo by Norm W
Facebook has done something wonderful for me.
Our relationships are a bit like the gossamer threads of a spider web. That’s me in the middle, where the threads lead to and are most abundant. The people who have touched my life somewhere along the corridors of time, either directly through me or someone I know, are the multitude of filaments that fan out around me.
Facebook lets us touch a person we don’t live near, who came into our life for a reason, or a season, and now we move in different circles, out in the periphery. But there is a connection. In my world, yesterday’s special anniversary was the conduit for an explosion of cyber space hugs, smiles, tears, and remembering.
On the anniversary of my son’s death, thirteen years ago, I posted a picture of Nicholas. Through my post, memories of Nicholas, and the way he made people feel, stirred inside the hearts of the people in my Facebook family. A bright river of meaningful words flowed: memories of silly him that make me laugh; poetic and spiritual prose that make me cry, and from those new to my life, who never met my son, a soft, comforting touch.
Email, or messenger, or texting would never have been able to bring so many people together. Following are just a few messages.
~ I miss him too. I remember the first time I met him. And my mom asked him what his name was and Nick said my name is Gloria. I will always remember my little buddy.
~The good thing is…the end of the story HERE… is NOT the end of the story!!!! Much more beauty, joy and love than we can ever begin to imagine…is waiting… just in the “next room”.
~ Miss you so much Nicky
~ “Come on baby with me were gonna fly away from here. Out of this curtained room, and this hospital grey will just disappear. You were my best 12 years”
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!
Nick, I never got the chance to know you, but you sound pretty awesome! Until we meet- may your rest be peaceful!
~ Your young man taught me one of my greatest life lessons the day he left Calgary (Alberta Children’s Hospital) for home….with a big smile on his face he said don’t cry I am ok! (I remember) Our two boys, Thomas and Nicholas saying goodbye to each other. (Nicholas passed away a few weeks later, and Thomas six months after).
~ His angel wings are the flutters you feel in your heart every time you think of him.
~ I wrote this the weekend after Nick passed. (January 2000 (“K” was 14 years old)).
I can’t believe that you are gone
Sometimes I even forget
You were always the one cracking jokes
Making people laugh
It’s such a mystery
How the people who least deserve it
Are taken from us
But as time slowly passes
As much as I am sad
I will be at peace
Knowing that you are now in a place
Where you feel no pain
Even though I can’t see you
I know that you are there
And every time I hear the sound of laughter
Or see a person smile
I will think of you
And the joy you brought to so many people
You will always have a place in my heart
And you will never be forgotten ♥
I think the really awesome thing is that in an effort to comfort me, Nicholas’ mother, in the sharing of hearts, the words posted on my Facebook page were a respite to everyone who visited.
Thank you
Remembering Nicholas, with his GT snow racer on a moon lit night
Hi,
Thank you for visiting my blog because it led me to visit yours and read this heartful tribute to Nicholas. Nicholas is one of my favourite names and even though I never had children, Nicholas is still my favourite male name. Your son made my day today. As I read your tribute I thought about the immense joy we all will have when we meet again those whom we love so dear.
Ciao,
Patricia
Hi Patricia, a big thank you for stopping to read the sometimes difficult content and then sharing a thought. I think you must have a big heart.
SusanB
You’re fortunate to receive so much support from so many kind friends.
13 years – it sound like a long time, but it probably feels like yesterday. I know it was the last day of your old life and the first day of a completely different life.
It’s been 33 weeks since my son died and I still can’t even grasp it.
33 weeks. I just came home after visiting with a newly bereaved… of five years. 13 years is a long time. It’s one year longer than my son was on this earth. You are looking at the one year anniversary of your life without your Graham. I wrote about how the hurt changed in “First Year.” Our lives will be spent “adjusting” to the new normal. You can grasp my hand. And, you have a wonderful website.
It’s because of parents like you, who are willing to write about their feelings and their experiences, that I am even able to figure out how to handle my grief. I hope that other parents also find some guidance or words of comfort somewhere among all the blogs and articles on my site. Perhaps we feel a little less lonely when we read each other’s words.
With tears streaming down my face and a smile in my heart, I remember Nicholas; a sparkle in his eye, a mischievous smile, waiting to crack a joke, tell you an unbelievable story, warming your heart and putting a ginormous smile on your face. He has a special place in my heart and I am forever changed.
Love you Sis.
He surely had stories to tell, eh Sis? So nice of you to visit and comment Heather. Thanks.
messengers from god reach out from everywhere to touch the lives of people we meet along our journey in life, I am so glad I met you my dear friend Susan, (while touching the lives of children, regardless of ability as our first connection) and I am thankful that social media makes it possible for us to stay connected, so that we are able to give strength, love, purpose for each other always, and never forget the friendships we are so fortunate to have made. xo
Sweet thoughts Wendy.
Ahh, Susan. Lovely thoughts.
Sherry-Lynn you rock.
The angels that are meant to be placed in our lives are beyond our comprehension some times. There is a band of them visiting through this vessel. Hugs to you! Thank you for sharing.
Well said Liz! Thank you.
Beautiful my friend! It is wonderful to be part of your spiderweb!
Ditto Norm!