Sunday, July 10, 2011

In Memory of Daniel Jay Gatten

Some of our oldest and dearest friends lost their son Danny this week. We have been friends for so many years that the Gattens seem more like family than mere friends and my heart is broken for their family.

Danny was just a year older than our Beckie and our kids played together when they were growing up. When she was a little girl Beckie used to say, "When I grow up I am going to marry Danny Gatten". They were that close. Tonight my heart hurts for Danny's parents and his children. I know how hard it is to bury one's parent. And I am sure it must be the hardest thing a parent would ever have to do - to bury one's child.

It seems as we get older so many things come to break your heart. Losing loved ones, seeing others suffer, feeling helpless to comfort them. I know when I lost my mother, then my grandniece Jenn to Cystic Fibrosis, and my little brother Ronnie - that I felt like I would never heal. And really I don't think you ever do. You just learn to live with the loss - like a piece of you is missing that cannot be replaced.

I had never heard this Brad Paisley song before Jenn passed away but it was a favorite of hers and has brought me comfort. Tonight I dedicate it Danny. I know that now you are free from the struggles and trials of this life and are surely rejoicing in the new life there "on the far side of the sky".



1 comment:

  1. Oh Connie, this is a beautiful tribute. You are so right about we don't get over it, we just learn to adapt and cope with a part of us missing :(
    Bless you and Danny's family - He is spreading his wings xoxo

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