Comments on: February 6th: Hoping

By: Chris jackson

Chris jackson — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:47:28 +0000

Oh Michael, I’m so sorry that I’m just now catching up and hearing of your family’s tragedy….
I have to soundly differ with your critic’s opinion, your music and lyrics have pulled me through death, despair and heartaches, separation and losses in a way that nothing else could. They may not heal but start that process. They resonate in my soul with truths and understanding from our premortal life and just when I need it most, awaken the faith and hope hiding there.

By: Channah Freeman

Channah Freeman — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:29:07 +0000

Sometimes all we have is prayer. Our knowledge and wisdom seem to be lost for a moment. And then the tender mercies come and we once again know and see the Plan of Salvation. Look and you shall see…what a great plane ride you had. Thanks for helping me hug my family and not get so fustrated today.

By: VWMJ

VWMJ — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:26:10 +0000

We love you and continue to pray for you and your family.

Lots of Love from Indiana

By: Richard Petty

Richard Petty — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:00:51 +0000

Standing with my Father at the gravesite of my oldest brother – Raymond, 55 years after he was taken at the age of nine; he turned to me, with wetness around his eyes, and said: “You know . . . it never gets any easier.” My Dad, an honorable man of integrity, never viewed this experience from the perspective of the fullness of the Gospel. He would disagree with that statement but that’s not the point. I never knew my older brother in this life, being born a year after, and only because of, his death. They thought the family was complete with the four of them. My attachment to him is strong but I will never have all the same feelings as my second oldest and only other brother, who Raymond was his big brother, who played with him, who thought he was cool and wanted to be like him. I can only empathize to the best of my ability. What is my point? Knowledge of the fullness of the Gospel does exist in the lives of those involved in this incident and with that knowledge . . . no . . . with that testimony; it will get easier – with time – the Lord’s time. In the pre-existence I think we cheered and had quite a hoopla when it was time for one of us to leave for maybe nine months or maybe 90 years – but we celebrated, not the time we had spent together, though I’m sure there were great memories about that too, but rather we celebrated the separation because we knew what it meant and the opportunity it would bring. On this side of the veil, we mourn separations and call them tragic, a loss, sometimes we say it was for the best; but that’s usually reserved for the terminally ill or aged – never for the young and vibrant. That’s because of the influence of the mortal on our spirits. Wordsworth’s poem, that probably anyone reading this is familiar, says it so well:

Our life is but a sleep and a forgetting.
The soul that rises with us our life’s star,
Hath elsewhere its setting and cometh from afar,
Not in entire forgetfulness, and not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come,
From God who is our home.

Not today . . . or tomorrow, but soon may we, I hope all, feel a sense of that pre-mortal celebration after the time-bound mortal part of us releases its grip and allows our spirits to once again celebrate the reason for our being and passing from here – - to have the opportunity to complete the possibilities of our eternal being . . . together.

By: Stephonie

Stephonie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:49:17 +0000

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

By: Cynthia Miller

Cynthia Miller — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:47:20 +0000

My heart breaks for you and your family. I have been there. Once when I lost my friend and his wife became widowed. Once when I lost a child and once when I almost lost my own life. I couldn’t listen to your songs without being angry that the pain and sorrow wouldn’t leave. I couldn’t listen to them knowing that I was in such pain and that they were doing NOTHING to help me. I really hope that the comforter comes and gives you peace. Trust me it may be a while though. You are in my prayers. May God Bless you and your family.

By: Shirley Watkins

Shirley Watkins — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:18:56 +0000

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss! I totally understand where you are coming from. After losing both of my parents before the age of 30 has been very difficult for me. My favorite cousin past away a year ago today from cancer. Sometimes there are no Words that can heal our broken hearts at the time they are most needed. When our souls ache the most it is hard to listen to anything because nothing seems to take away what you are feeling deep down inside. We know the gospel and it’s plan, but when you are the most vulnerable Satan can make it seem so much worse. Your song’s have given me hope and comfort when I have really needed them. I Pray that the comforter will bless you and your family with all you stand in need of at this difficult time. May God Bless You and Your Family!

By: Lori Larsen

Lori Larsen — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:18:38 +0000

But I do believe if any comfort is coming, only The Comforter can send it, and I’m not Him.
He just knows when the moment is perfect and steps in to heal us then.

I think you found the “joy” or more appropriate “comfort” in the middle of your pain. Thank you for these words as they comfort me in my own private trial. Your family is in my prayers.

By: Lynda Kenyon

Lynda Kenyon — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:59:22 +0000

This is a gift I was inspired to write and to share, nothing more. It’s not great, and I’m not sure it’s exactly what I was trying for, but it is what I was inspired to write. You and your whole family are in our prayers during this difficult time.

No Words

The news came with no warning
The tragedy was not expected
Day turned to night in a heartbeat
And now your heart is breaking.

As the snow falls this winter morning
I wonder what to say,
And Heaven whispers to my soul,
“No words are needed today.”

We know the doctrine,
We’ve read the scriptures,
The songs we’ve sung,
But, “No words are needed today.”

We all grieve in our own way,
No one should tell you how.
We can only pray and care,
For, “No words are needed today.”

The days ahead look bleak,
You see no end in sight.
We all hope you feel our love,
As “No words are needed today.”

He who stand ready to carry us
Knows what you need to heal.
He is the true source of all comfort.
So, “No words are needed today.”

By: Misty

Misty — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:06:19 +0000

Lynda is right. The messages of hope will be there when you need them and are ready to receive them. It is never easy to lose those you love. I am so sorry for your loss. Your niece’s husband is the same age that I am. It is always a scary thought that you never know what is going to happen. You never know when it’s your turn. But there is a reason to have hope and, although you aren’t ready to hear it, you know it will be there when you need it. I will be praying for you and your family.