Friday, September 4, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT

My beloved Grandpa

Me, Grandpa and Grandma
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have written with your support for me and my family as it was publicly announced today that my grandpa, Ernie Harwell, has been diagnosed with incurable cancer. The last few weeks have been a tough time, as we learned of his condition and prognosis. It's so difficult to imagine life without someone who has always been such a strong and loving presence in my life. I am just grateful to have had him all of these years and want to cherish his remaining days. Grandpa remains his ever positive and inspiring self, reassuring us all that he has total peace, knowing that this path will lead him into the place he longs to be - God's presence. Thanks to all of you for your thoughtfulness, prayers and support - it means more than you know. And Grandpa......I love you more than I can say and could not be prouder of you than I am now!!

62 comments:

  1. What an incredible man you have in your life. xoxo

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  2. Oh, I am so very sorry. You are your family are in my prayers!!!

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  3. My prayers and blessings are with you and your family. There is a quote by an unknown author, it is:
    "A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart." - Just like YOUR GRANDFATHER! - BLESS YOU Annechovie!
    xoxo,
    Gerri

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  4. He has a terrific attitude.

    I will continue to keep you, your grandfather & family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  5. How lucky you are to have had the love and support of this strong and lovely man. He must be so proud of you too. I had two grandfathers that I adored, so I know how you are feeling.

    Carrying you both in my heart.

    Marjorie

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  6. Sending good thoughts your way. It must have been wonderful to have had such a warm realtionship with your grandfather and to have the chance to tell each other each day.

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  7. I pray that he truly is at peace and does welcome this next stage of his life. But I also pray that you find his peace and faith and it gives you strength in this very hard time. MB

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  8. so sorry anne. sending good energy your way.
    xoj

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  9. He seems like a wonderful person. Thinking of you and your family ~~

    Laura

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  10. Oh Anne, I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of this. My heart just breaks at what you must be going through right now. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

    Your friend ~
    Jo

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  11. My thoughts best wishes are with you and your family Anne!

    xo
    Anna

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  12. Anne-My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  13. Dear Anne,
    I am so sorry to hear this. I pray for him to be immersed in God's ocean of endless grace and for strength and faith for you and your family. He appears to be a joyous man and no doubt God's loving arms will carry him through all difficulties.

    xo

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  14. Anne, I am so sorry, I know this is breaking your heart!

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  15. He looks like such a sweet and fun loving man. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  16. Anne - I had no idea you had such a famous grandfather. I'm am so sorry to hear this. Hopefully, he will be here for a long time still. What a wonderful thing to have a grandfather at your age! You both are in my prayers.

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  17. Anne-
    My prayers go out for you and your family- I know what it's like to lose a grandfather that way- mine I only was able to enjoy until I was nine years old- but he will always be in my heart! Thank you also for the kind comments on my blog! I look forward to hearing from you!

    Bless you-

    Michelle

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  18. Darling Anne~ Please know that my thoughts and prayers are going out to your whole family. Your Grandpa is certainly a man to be proud of-and I know you are very, very dear to him. Warm thoughts dear.

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  19. What an inspiration you Grandy is!
    Love and prayers to him and whole family.

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  20. Anne,
    Please thank Ernie for passing on the "positivity" and the "faith" gene to you! Now I know where you get such strength - a Grandpa's love is so special! I never really knew my Grandpa's, they left this earth when before I could know them. My Grandma's made up for it though.
    Let Ernie know he will be in our thoughts in the blogland. He must know how loved you are and that must make him so proud!
    pve

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  21. Anne, I am so sorry to hear this. I hope that you will enjoy this time together. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

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  22. Anne, I am so sorry about the health of your grandfather. It is such a difficult time, and my heart just aches for you.

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  23. My husband (big fan of your grandfather) will be sad to hear of this news. I am too for you as I know this is heartbreaking and difficult for your family. It is wonderful that he is surrounded by so much love. Hugs and more hugs Anne. XO

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  24. What a wonderful support system this blog world is. Thoughts and prayers with you and your family...XXOO

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  25. Anne, I am deeply sorry to hear the news about your grandpa. I could feel the love and admiration you have for him. My heart truly goes out to you and your family. xoxoxo...

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  26. Anne, I will be praying for you and Grandpa. I am glad to here that he is at peace with himself. He sounds like a very dear and special man.

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  27. As you may or may not know, I lost my Grandfather just a couple months ago, so my heart truly goes out to you...but there definitely is an overwhelming sense of peace knowing he is in Heaven and is no longer in pain. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God bless you! xxoo
    P.S. My Grandpa Hammerstrom was a HUGE fan of your Grandfather's! A true class act and SO loved in the city of Detroit and probably the world!:)

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  28. Anne, I am so sorry to hear of your sad news. My thoughts are with you and your Grandpa, xv.

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  29. *** Blessings to you all during this incredibly difficult time. How LUCKY you are to have this SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP ~ always, & no matter what.

    I am thinking of you & sending special prayers your way. Please know we're all with you.

    Warmly,
    Linda in AZ

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  30. That is a lovely photo of you all together looking very happy! xo

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  31. Just want you to know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time. Much love to you and your family, Anne. Lots of love. XXXX

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  32. I'm so sorry Anne. We made a road trip to Florida the other week to see Chris' wonderful "Papa" who had a stroke. We don't expect him to live long. So I have seen firsthand how painful it is for a grandchild to say goodbye to a much loved grandfather - possibly for the last time. I didn't grow up with a grandfather - but Chris did, and his Papa was always a big, strong, powerful man. For most of his life. But not anymore - and it's just heartbreaking to see the change. It's so hard to say goodbye. And I will think of you every time I comfort my husband.

    Much love to you and your family.
    -Kate

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  33. My prayers are with you and your family

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  34. I'm so sorry to hear this news Anne - my thoughts are with you and your family.

    x

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  35. Praying for your family during this time!!!!

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  36. He's a legend, there's only one Ernie and he'll never be "long gone" :)

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  37. So sorry Anne! He seems like a wonderful man!

    You and your family are in my prayers.

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  38. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. xoxo

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  39. Anne,

    Thank You for sharing what is truly in your heart. Pure Love for your family, and all that it is. Nothing prepares us for this, no instruction manual or website or friend.

    We take it moment by moment, just as God has intended. The best medicine in the world is the human touch, feelings and being of those we know and those we don't.

    May you know that I am praying for you and your family as you live each day to the fullest.

    Bette

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  40. So sorry for this awful news, many prayers for strength and many more treasured days with your beloved grandpa...

    melissa

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  41. So sad Anne. Please pass my love & support onto your Grandma & the entire clan. After all the joys he's given me ( Go Tigers!!) I wish there was more I could do but prayers for comfort.
    Alicia

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  42. Oh I'm so terribly sorry to hear this news...that was a wonderful Times article - you clearly have such a talented family Anne. I hope your grandfather is as comfortable as possible...you all are in my thoughts and prayers!

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  43. Dearest Anne,
    I'm so sorry for you and your family, but your grandpa's positive existence is a beacon of light in this world. May his light always shine upon you and those he loves so dearly.

    ~Melissa

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  44. Anne,
    I was in Tampa yesterday and was reading in the St. Pete Times about him and wondered if he was any relation to you. I am so very sorry that his remaining days will be tough. You have a strong and loving family and I know he has passed down may good things to all of you. My love and prayers are with you and I am giving you many hugs of support.
    Blessings to you and all of your family.
    xo

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  45. Everyone in blogger world is thinking of you I am sure Anne.

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  46. Anne,
    Storming heaven with prayers of comfort for you and your precious family.
    All my love,
    Kara

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  47. You are all in my prayers. What a wonderful man your Grandpa is!! Blessings comin' your way.....

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  48. Anne, I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandpa -- your family will be in my thoughts.

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  49. I know you're proud of him and have no doubt that he feels your love and support as he confronts this new challenge. Keep us posted.

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  50. My heart goes out to you and your family. Keeping him and you all in my prayers as you walk through this hard journey! Praying you all many smiles still through all the tears! Blessings.

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  51. Wat a lovely person your grandfather is!
    You're lucky to have him.
    Sending kind thoughts your way Anne.
    Carolg

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  52. Anne- You and my family are in my prayers. I hope everything turns out fine for you and your family. You're a beautiful person and I'm sure your adorable grandpa is very proud of you.

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  53. Anne~ Having been there (grandpa with inoperable cancer), I can only say my heart and thoughts are with you and treasure each and every moment you still have together. So much love and joy can be found in this time together!
    Kirsten

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  54. Anne,
    When illness comes at you hard & fast in this sudden way, it is comforting to know that living a good full honest life allows one to go in peace.
    Our family will keep you and yours in our prayers.
    xo Lisa

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  55. HUGE hugs and loads of prayers coming your way... God will surely bless you and your family during this time...and always... xxxxx pam

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  56. I will be thinking of you and your family- while everyone's pain is different, I know how difficult it can be to lose such a great grandparent (I've lost both my Grandmother and Grandpop). However, I hope that you can be at least slightly heartened by the great times you've shared.

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  57. My dear Anne, I am so sorry to hear the news about your grandfather. May God hold him in his strong, capable hands forever. Bless you and your family. We all know these trials are coming yet they are so hard to bear. Take care, and I wanted to tell you that the picture of your grandparents and you is a wonderful tribute to your family.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts. I appreciate your visit and support!