tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post479195186064847791..comments2023-03-25T07:16:14.904-04:00Comments on Midgets, Moonpies, and Dawgs: The Hardest GoodbyesJennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11734194398947469892noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-17418507150451782752007-10-03T06:27:00.000-04:002007-10-03T06:27:00.000-04:00What a beautiful post, and thank you so much for s...What a beautiful post, and thank you so much for sharing it... xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-7671731090334698882007-09-29T00:06:00.000-04:002007-09-29T00:06:00.000-04:00Thanks for writing about her last night. I am so ...Thanks for writing about her last night. I am so glad you felt so much peace. God is so generous with His blessings. <BR/><BR/>I still miss her....can't imagine what it is like at your house.<BR/><BR/>Thinking about Catie,<BR/>KimUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11558950906917467733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-47787114595484760362007-09-27T00:12:00.000-04:002007-09-27T00:12:00.000-04:00This story made me cry. I miss catie.saraThis story made me cry. I miss catie.<BR/><BR/><BR/>sarasarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581688709301591103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-69327218932052512952007-09-24T17:23:00.000-04:002007-09-24T17:23:00.000-04:00I'm crying; your eloquence with words is amazing.T...I'm crying; your eloquence with words is amazing.Thank you for sharing this incredibly intimate, personal time of your lives. Very, very touching...leeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788320894431402852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-4885116837481653322007-09-24T16:28:00.000-04:002007-09-24T16:28:00.000-04:00How beautiful. Catie was a beautiful little girl,...How beautiful. Catie was a beautiful little girl, and truly blessed to have such wonderful parents.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15088313107935678872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-49980893887759803012007-09-24T11:53:00.000-04:002007-09-24T11:53:00.000-04:00Dear Jenny,Me heart is aching... there are no word...Dear Jenny,<BR/>Me heart is aching... there are no words.<BR/>We will all miss Catie but we rejoice in the fact that she is whole...she is an angel.Estefaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13052772300440511303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-22810811791736816992007-09-24T11:16:00.000-04:002007-09-24T11:16:00.000-04:00thank you for sharing, that was so beautiful and c...thank you for sharing, that was so beautiful and comforting...addie&danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01436184381245817432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-46871166822163059402007-09-24T10:22:00.000-04:002007-09-24T10:22:00.000-04:00Your strength and your faith continue to amaze me....Your strength and your faith continue to amaze me. Thank you for sharing them with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-5365590772327035062007-09-24T01:50:00.000-04:002007-09-24T01:50:00.000-04:00Tre, Jenny and Izzy,This is my first time on your ...Tre, Jenny and Izzy,<BR/>This is my first time on your blog. Thank you for sharing your hardest goodbye. It is amazing how the Lord gives us that peace that we have done all we can do and we must give them to Him. My sister, Martha, followed Catie to heaven on Jan. 27,2007. Your family, Mamanon, Carmen, Donna, Tori and Charles were here for me in spite of their own loss and I'm grateful to God for them. They are my family also.<BR/>We pray for you every Sunday morning in our Special Ministries Class. One of our Young Men (early 20's) write out his own prayer requests(most we haveto write for them) and he never fails to list "Catie's family". He listed you this morning and we prayed for you.<BR/>This time of remembering is hard and yet comforting. I know the sense of peace you felt when you knew you had to release Catie. I felt this and was able to tell Martha that it was alright for her to go on to heaven to be with mother and daddy. When that has been done you have a sense of peace at the end because you know that they are with the Lord.<BR/>Keep remembering and keep depending on the Lord because He will continue to give you the strength you need for each day.<BR/>My love and prayers are with you!<BR/>Mary FrancesMary Frances Durenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07012872495546099593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-750744231688653232007-09-23T12:02:00.000-04:002007-09-23T12:02:00.000-04:00There are no words to tell you what an impact your...There are no words to tell you what an impact your post had on me. I read the whole thing with a huge lump in my throat and tears stinging my eyes. <BR/><BR/>For you all to be strong and faithful enough to encourage your precious daughter to run to Jesus - well, that's beautiful. That's the depth of parental love. You knew when to let go and you knew you were sending her to Jesus. I wish I could accurately describe just how awesome I think that is because I can only imagine how hard it was, but yet the blessed assurance it must have brought you. Only God can give us peace in the midst of pain. His work is evident in your family. <BR/><BR/>God bless you all!KelMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04550800300643599991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-40444781318850592007-09-22T19:34:00.000-04:002007-09-22T19:34:00.000-04:00I've been following your site for the past yr. or ...I've been following your site for the past yr. or so after coming over from Kendrie's site. Something about Catie stuck with me. I always remember a picture that was on her CB site of she in a long white dress on a wooden stair surrounded by flowers. She looked so pure and sweet.<BR/><BR/>Something I've been wondering. Is Izzy's middle name in honor of Dr. Claire?Stephanie Lindahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14570869225299894707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-3492547935627337932007-09-22T10:47:00.000-04:002007-09-22T10:47:00.000-04:00Your entry was beautiful, the way you describe Cat...Your entry was beautiful, the way you describe Catie leaving this world for Heaven really touched my heart. She is missed by so many, thank you for sharing your thoughts on that final day with her here on earth.Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08987510853577069199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-453476623654175582007-09-22T09:48:00.000-04:002007-09-22T09:48:00.000-04:00Jenny,I am glad you shared this with us. It is one...Jenny,<BR/>I am glad you shared this with us. It is one night I will never forget. There are more words but I will save them,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for letting me know all of you.<BR/>AmyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07911773829437982808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-18670186603232477872007-09-22T07:43:00.000-04:002007-09-22T07:43:00.000-04:00Oh, God, Jenny. Thanks so much for sharing these m...Oh, God, Jenny. Thanks so much for sharing these most precious of moments with us. As I've said before, even thinking about losing one of my girls takes my breath away, and here you are describing how it happened for you. No parent should have to say goodbye to a child like this. It's one of those outrageous injustices of our fallen world. I'm so glad we have hope and memories, even though they can be the source of painful longing sometimes. I pray for a very joyful celebration of Catie's fifth birthday.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606110948854619639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-22906271203311379202007-09-22T00:58:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:58:00.000-04:00Well-that bugs me that I said I was relieved that ...Well-that bugs me that I said I was relieved that that stupid spot was indeed cancer so I want to clarify in case it bugs you, too. I wish it was not cancer...but if God was to call Catie home because of RSV and NOT the cancer that she fought so bravely against-I just felt a little comfort knowing that it wasn't a "fluke" that she got RSV...it was probably a blessing as her passing was much more peaceful than it might have been had she went from that darn cancer. I was just relieved to see that God had spared her from what was going to be a continuous battle with perhaps the end result being more difficult for her than how He took her home. Anyway...didn't want to babble, but it bothered me to think that I was saying cancer was a good thing without explaining it. I guess I've read too many caringbridge battles that ended so awful with tears (from the patient) and the battle was so terrible for them up until the last breath...I am so thankful that Catie passed so peacefully. God is good...all the time! :)Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09638033641897758678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-35554803480657043232007-09-22T00:52:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:52:00.000-04:00Oh, tears were streaming as I read this...but I am...Oh, tears were streaming as I read this...but I am so glad to hear the story of what she (and you) went through that last day. I was so relieved when the path report showed that stubborn, darned spot was indeed cancer...and I see now how God worked all the pieces out so that you would know that it was, indeed, time to let her go. Thank you for sharing this with us.Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09638033641897758678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-15685178619808326282007-09-22T00:48:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:48:00.000-04:00Thanks, Jenny.Thanks, Jenny.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17958708179462022601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-49202362723273039872007-09-22T00:38:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:38:00.000-04:00I have followed Catie's story for at least the pas...I have followed Catie's story for at least the past 3 years but have never posted. Thank you so much for sharing her story with us, complete strangers. Catie seemed like an amazing little girl. One of my friends from med school knows y'all (Brandon H) and thinks so highly of you. I graduated from Mercer in May and am continuing my training in pediatric neurology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Through Catie's story and the stories of others like her I have learned so much. Yes, medicines and treatments can help a child feel better, but sometimes what a child needs is a doctor who will visit just to sit and kid around and laugh, not to poke and prod. Sometimes what parents need is a set of listening ears. My mom passed away 2 years 8.5 months ago from cancer. She was diagnosed in March and went to her heavenly home on New Year's Eve 2004. I was a second year medical student at the time. Some of the most important lessons I learned that year of school came from my mom's illness. Her doctors didn't let us know just how bad it was until the end, when it was too late for us to change anything. My mom was a wonderful person. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She was a kindergarten teacher and it was so awesome to see her former students, some now in college, come to her services. To me, that shows just how much she was loved. The last 4 months of my mom's life she was in the hospital more than she was at home. It was hard for me to let her go. I knew she was going on to a better place, a place where there is no cancer, no pain, no nasty medicine, but I was selfish and wanted her with me. She was so young. I was so young. It wasn't fair. I came to the realization that there was nothing that I could change about our situation. Through her illness, I learned the importance of keeping the family informed and being honest with them. With providing them with the facts, even as hard as they may be. Not cutting off all hope, but not providing false hope. <BR/>Thank you for sharing Catie's story. The perspective of a parent is like no other. In the 4 months i've been at Children's, I have definitely reaized just how important a parent's perspective is. You know your child better than any doctor ever will and your opinion is important. Yes, medicine is important, but sometimes what you and your child need is a comforting touch, a comforting hug, or even just a pair of listening ears. I have never met Dr. Claire, but I have read of her impact on so many families. I hope one day that I will be able to have the repoire and respect with my patients and the relationship with my patients that she has with hers. She must be awesome!<BR/>Catie IS a beautiful child as is her little sister Izzy.<BR/>Thank you again for sharing.<BR/>Take care,<BR/>HollyHolly Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828172570687203918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-58941935192532744502007-09-22T00:23:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:23:00.000-04:00I have followed Catie's story for at least 3 years...I have followed Catie's story for at least 3 years now, but I don't think I have ever posted. Thank you so much for sharing her life, her story, and your memories with us, complete strangers. I graduated from Mercer University's School of Medicine in May and am continuing my training in pediatric neurology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and have found that in reading your story and the stories of so many others I have learned how to be a better doctor. Yes, medicines and treatments are good, but sometimes what a family needs is a comforting touch or just a listening ear. Sometimes what a child needs is a doctor who comes to visit just to visit, not to prod or poke. I pray daily that I will do the best I can for my patients, whether it be to begin them on a new treatment therapy or just hang out with them and laugh. I lost my mom 2 years 8.5 months ago to cancer. I was a second year medical student at the time. It was very difficult. What made it even more difficult is that her doctors didn't tell us just how bad it was until the end....until it was too late for us to do anything differently. My mom was a kindergarten teacher. My mom was awesome. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She was much too young to move on to her heavenly home. I was selfish in not wanting her to go but my family and I knew that she had suffered long enough. She was diagnosed in March and passed away New Years Eve 2004. The last 4 months of her life she was in the hospital more than she was home. Her illness was hard, but through it my initial lessons on how to not only be a bright doctor but a caring doctor were learned. Sometimes the best lessons aren't learned in class or from a textbook. Sometimes the best lessons are learned from life. From your stories, the stories of others like you, and from my mom I hope that I can continue to learn how to not only be a good doctor but how to be a person for my families.<BR/>Thank you again for sharing. Catie IS beautiful as is her little sister Izzy.<BR/>Take care,<BR/>HollyHolly Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828172570687203918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-35212865737174771162007-09-21T22:20:00.000-04:002007-09-21T22:20:00.000-04:00Jenny,By the end of this post, I was sobbing. Tha...Jenny,<BR/><BR/>By the end of this post, I was sobbing. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Even at your darkest moment, your faith in God shines through. How your little girl runs in heaven now! I lost my oldest sister to cancer when she was 40, and I was 28. All of my siblings (there are 9 of us) her husband, and my parents were with her when she died. Reading this post brought back so many memories of that day. I am now a year older than she was when she left us,a wife and mother. I can't imagine how she must have felt, knowing she was leaving her 2 small children behind. Like Catie, she had fought long and hard. Peace filled the room when she passed. Like you said so eloquently, you know when it is time. God has seen us through, and he is seeing you, Tre and Izzy through as well. This blog is testament to that. Thank you again.Dorothy Gouldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15243196485322277681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-80591690034241752132007-09-21T21:49:00.000-04:002007-09-21T21:49:00.000-04:00Thank you for sharing your last moments with Catie...Thank you for sharing your last moments with Catie. I've been reading Catie's Carringbridge site for a couple of years and have never posted. Your family, and especially Catie, have touched me in so many ways. She lived such a short but fulfilled life and always seemed happy. You are a wonderful mother to both your girls. I hope you continue to share your feelings as you feel comfortable. I enjoy reading about memories of Catie and of Izzy's adventures. I never met Catie but I feel like I know her through all of your wonderful posts and pictures. You have a beautiful family.Brandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07419647584074636098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-19435934161575514932007-09-21T20:21:00.000-04:002007-09-21T20:21:00.000-04:00Thank you, Jenny, for allowing us to be a part of ...Thank you, Jenny, for allowing us to be a part of Catie's homegoing. I know she did RUN to Jesus and I know He welcomed her into His great big loving arms. As I've said many times before, you inspire me in so many ways.<BR/>Thank you for being so open with your life and for sharing Catie and Izzy with us. I'll be praying for you especially as Catie's birthday approaches. I'm sure that her heavenly birthday will be a "doozy." I can just imagine that she and Jesus have planned quite a party.<BR/>May you know the comfort of the Holy Spirit each day and be kept busy with the joy of the Lord who is our strength.Martha from NChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10637856258363604011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-52659517983426871062007-09-21T17:00:00.000-04:002007-09-21T17:00:00.000-04:00Jenny,Thanks for sharing this with us. I am glad y...Jenny,<BR/>Thanks for sharing this with us. I am glad you got to spend those last few hours with Catie holding her and loving on her.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15686865264979978270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-50413692373842521212007-09-21T14:59:00.000-04:002007-09-21T14:59:00.000-04:00Thank you for sharing this good-bye with us. I'm ...Thank you for sharing this good-bye with us. I'm praying for you all this weekend and coming week.bphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09884081028227999883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922805785589185728.post-75957890942446937762007-09-21T14:05:00.000-04:002007-09-21T14:05:00.000-04:00The enormous love you have for Catie shows in ever...The enormous love you have for Catie shows in every word of this beautiful post. She is, I'm sure, very proud of her mama.<BR/><BR/>Mary in IllinoisMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00069277093483860499noreply@blogger.com