Comments: Phil, Karen, & Kylie, I think about you & pray for all of you every day.
Your brother in Jesus, Love John Szasz
linda (angel ryan's mom)
Aug 9, 2009
Your URL: www.caringbridge.org/mi/ryanc
Comments: Hi Karen,
Hard to believe our children have been gone for 4 years. I could so relate to what you wrote. to me it seems like he left us yesterday as the pain is the same.
Just wanted to send you an email to let you know I was thinking of you.
Best,
Linda
formally from Michigan now living on Long Island www.caringbridge.org/mi/ryanc
Cynthia Hartsaw
Aug 7, 2009
Comments:
Hi, Karen.
I have been thinking about you and Leah. Take care.
Love, Cynthia
Katie McCarthy
Aug 4, 2009
Comments:
I havent written in a while, but you and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers!
You are in our thoughts always but especially this week. We have been visiting Leah and all of your friends here are making sure her site is well taken care of. We miss you guys very much out here and wish we could be closer to support you during this most difficult time of the year. We are hoping to visit you and share some quality time together. I think they still have some kick ass minivans that I can squeal the tires on. Megan and Bradley send their love to all of you. They are both getting ready for important school years. Two graduations!! Can you believe it? It's a special year for you too Kylie. I read how well you are doing in swimming(the backstroke) and volleyball. I'm sure you are great at both and good luck this season sweetie! Karen, I am typing this while Anne is on the phone with you talking about "Fluff" and other girl talk so I don't need to fill you in on how she is doing. Phil, I hope your job is going well. I know its tough but I believe you made the right decision taking the job. I know you feel far away but Leah is right there with you and watching out for you. She will continue to bring you signs when you need them the most. Please keep your faith strong. Leah is with you where ever you go. I wanted to say that I really do miss our get-togethers and I look forward to the Christmas Celebration at Motts so we can be together again. It's truly a highlight for the year. Well, I've got to go. God Bless you guys out there and watch out for the crocks. Love you all. Good night Angel Leah(ribbit ribbit!!:)
I will be thinking of you tomorrow, and today. Leah certainly did and does know that she is loved and is in your hearts. She knows that moving was a good choice, for she is never far away. It was something you guys needed to try and she will provide you with inspiration and courage.
Yes, it is nice that people care for her flowers at the cemetery. It is a pleasure doing so. There are little frogs and reminders that she lives in many hearts. But if there were no cemetery or head stone, she would be loved and thought about and talked to just the same. For love is everywhere, and when someone has had to leave us, their love is just right there all of the time.
Leah is just as close to you in Florida, no matter what you are doing, as she was in Michigan. Your friends and family miss you, but Leah is an angel and knows that one day your lives will be once again united in a way that you will be able to hug her.
So continue loving her, and each other. Swim your best. Parent your best. Raise money for other Children and for Research. You guys are awesome and have honored your daughter in many ways. Many, times, many days, many ways. And thank you for reminding us to hug our kids too. I will.
After talking to you guys, I get the impression that you feel like you are on a long vacation that should be winding up soon. Ha. I guess that even starting over and beginning fresh in a warm state has its own set of negative circumstances. It's nice to be missed by you guys though, and we will find a way down there in 2010.
So, I can't get you guys and "The Shack" out of my head...and heart. The character of Mack reminds me of Phil. Each day is a challenge for you all. We don't know how that challenge really feels. I only know that the book really helped me with Leah and loss and reasons and senselessness and the whole free will/tragedy thing
And speaking of challenges. I asked "Why" over and over concerning Leah. After reading the book, I am more at peace with Why questions. And after a few months of extraordinary things happening to me I have learned (slllooowwwlllyyy) that God does not make evil. He does not make tragedy. He does love us. And, for His own reasons, He often he does not intervene--(and we wish he did.)
We often talk about theology, even talk about Jesus Himself and everything He did all day long blah, blah, blah... but until it is made personal – until it’s all for you – it’s not the same It doesn’t do anyone any good to talk about how Jesus died and rose unless Jesus died and rose for you. That personal aspect of the Gospel and the centrality of Christ’s work is made abundantly clear over and over again in The Shack. Every doctrine – even the Trinity itself, is explained as being for us. That one was new and different for me to think about, yet so consistent with the larger picture I’m surprised I hadn’t thought of it sooner. Ofcourse it is fiction and the author takes creative license, but the spirit of the books speaks a beautiful truth to me.
Anyway, there is my book review and my thoughts of you both for the day.