This blog has been established for those of you who love and care about my brother, Dennis M. Rich. Dennis battled sarcoma for over two years. His strength and courage is truly inspiring. This is a piece of his story.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Parents
8 comments:
Anonymous
said...
These pictures of my aunt and uncle with Dennis and Jimmy are wonderful. They have raised two magical men. Dennis and Jimmy are amazing individuals in every way possible, they have grown to be outstanding son's,brothers,uncles and most of all fathers. We are all so proud of all of you, we love you all so much.
It is no secret that my parents aren't on this blog much. Actually I am not sure if either one of them have ever really been here. The pain for them is too raw, too real, too deep. Everyone deals with something this tragic differently. I myself have found that I am extremely comforted by seeing the pictures of Dennis. I wish my parents could check this site out, mainly to feel the love and support but they are just not ready and I can't blame them for that. They are aware of it, and I know that my Dad is very impressed by the sheer number of people out there who are thinking of Dennis and his family. That means a lot to him and it makes him really proud.
We are 7 very lucky kids. Our parents unconditionally LOVE us. They have and always will be there for us, whenever we need ANYTHING. It really hurts to see them in so much pain and there's nothing any of us can ever do to ease that pain. Despite the deep sorrow that they feel, they have been stronger than we ever imagined. We have no choice but to go on and do what we were taught~to stick together. Just days after Dennis passed, my Dad said to me that we were all going to be alright, as long as we stick together. I know that brought him comfort and he was proud that we were all by eachother's side during those dark days. He was so hurt but he smiled, knowing that we all have eachother. That's what they instilled in each one of us since we were little, that family is everything. I am so grateful for my family. We've needed eachother through this and we always will. Our hurt will never fade, we'll always miss Dennis. He'll be on our minds every single day to come.
I love you Den and you know how much we all miss you. To see these pictueres hurts b/c you were so alive and so happy, but they make me smile through my tears. You were such a great brother and someone we were all so proud of. We are doing our best, trying to help Ma&Dad, being there for them as much as we all can, just like you asked us to. I know how much you worried about them, you were such a great son. I love you. Kelli
Katie you are right. I think some day your parents will find some comfort by looking at the pictures and reading so much support from everyone. There just not ready. For me each week that passes I find that the reality of this is setting in harder. The pain and anger that this happened to Dennis is unbearable at times. They say there is a reason for everything. There will never be a good enough reason for me to understand. Sometimes I can't believe myself that I'm actually viewing pictures of Dennis and that he is really gone. Very surreal that you can have this great family life and just like that it can be gone. I'm sorry I got a bit off track. I have so many thoughts lately. I think the point I wanted to make as hard as it is to see pictures of Dennis instead of not really being able to have him here with us is somestimes painful but so helpful. Katie thank you for creating a source of comfort for all of us! I love you and Dennis very much! Jodi P.S. You have amazing parents and they raised amazing sons and daughters.
I have an amazing family each one of you are so supportive of each other and of everyone else I just want to tell you all how very proud I am to be part of such a loving family. You are right everyone has to come to their own terms with dealing with this horrible ordeal, but knowing that we have each other to lean on and knowing that you are not alone helps a little, I know that your Mom has asked questions about this site,I told her how wonderful it is she said she wouldn't be able to find it and I told her that she can get here from any one of your blogs because she knows how to go to your blogs I know it will be hard for her but maybe she will find as much comfort here as I have. May you each find a little peace in your day, today and everyday. Love Auntie Paula
The pictures of your parents are great. Katie, your mom mentioned the blog to me a couple of times when I was at her house a few sundays ago. She said that someone told her that I've gone on and left messages. She is happy its there but, ya too hard right now for them. I know you guys worry about them and if they will smile again. So, I just wanted to mention how that day I was so happy to see your mom smile so much at Dennis' girls. She sees him in them and I could tell how much that helps her and your Dad. When Jodi got there your Dad ran out and grabbed Mia and carried her in so proud and she was yelling "Nana, Nana" and your mom's face lit up!! And, I couldn't get enough of her that day - she is just TOO cute and looks JUST like Dennis and Jeannie & Katie when they were little. So, I kept saying how cute she was and your mom loved it and kept laughing at me and then we sat and talked about how Alana & Elise were so big and such good girls and she kept saying how they were like Dennis in so many ways. That is what will help her through - those adorable little girls. And, you never know she may take a look at the blog and may never mention it. But, she knows its here and how wonderful we all think it is. Your mother & father are great people and what great grandparents they are!!!!! All those little ones running around playing in their toy room at Nana's house and she has all the goodies they are looking for. She spoils them and LOVES every minute of it!!!!
Hope to see some of you saturday at Tayla's party. Your mom said she would be there.
We are lucky. They gave us everything they could and most importantly they were just home taking care of us. I have alot of kids, like them and sometimes I try to picture my house with two more daughters in it and I can't even imagine it. I'm sure they sacrificed alot to raise seven kids. Lucky Seven, we will alwys be seven! I love you Ma and Dad! I know we don't say it often but, thanks!I love you both. Mary
Its always harder for a parent. Everyone will always remember Dennis and lives will move on but a parent cannot "move on" as quickly. A child should never die before the parent. It's not natural. A parent will always need more time. Keep the Grandchildren coming over (whether they be Dennis' children or any of the other siblings children). It is from experience that I tell you this will help heal the heart. GOD Bless you all.
8 comments:
These pictures of my aunt and uncle with Dennis and Jimmy are wonderful. They have raised two magical men. Dennis and Jimmy are amazing individuals in every way possible, they have grown to be outstanding son's,brothers,uncles and most of all fathers. We are all so proud of all of you, we love you all so much.
Love (cousin) Rhonda
It is no secret that my parents aren't on this blog much. Actually I am not sure if either one of them have ever really been here.
The pain for them is too raw, too real, too deep. Everyone deals with something this tragic differently. I myself have found that I am extremely comforted by seeing the pictures of Dennis.
I wish my parents could check this site out, mainly to feel the love and support but they are just not ready and I can't blame them for that. They are aware of it, and I know that my Dad is very impressed by the sheer number of people out there who are thinking of Dennis and his family. That means a lot to him and it makes him really proud.
Katie
We are 7 very lucky kids. Our parents unconditionally LOVE us. They have and always will be there for us, whenever we need ANYTHING.
It really hurts to see them in so much pain and there's nothing any of us can ever do to ease that pain. Despite the deep sorrow that they feel, they have been stronger than we ever imagined.
We have no choice but to go on and do what we were taught~to stick together.
Just days after Dennis passed, my Dad said to me that we were all going to be alright, as long as we stick together. I know that brought him comfort and he was proud that we were all by eachother's side during those dark days. He was so hurt but he smiled, knowing that we all have eachother. That's what they instilled in each one of us since we were little, that family is everything. I am so grateful for my family. We've needed eachother through this and we always will. Our hurt will never fade, we'll always miss Dennis. He'll be on our minds every single day to come.
I love you Den and you know how much we all miss you. To see these pictueres hurts b/c you were so alive and so happy, but they make me smile through my tears. You were such a great brother and someone we were all so proud of.
We are doing our best, trying to help Ma&Dad, being there for them as much as we all can, just like you asked us to. I know how much you worried about them, you were such a great son.
I love you.
Kelli
Katie you are right. I think some day your parents will find some comfort by looking at the pictures and reading so much support from everyone. There just not ready. For me each week that passes I find that the reality of this is setting in harder. The pain and anger that this happened to Dennis is unbearable at times. They say there is a reason for everything. There will never be a good enough reason for me to understand. Sometimes I can't believe myself that I'm actually viewing pictures of Dennis and that he is really gone. Very surreal that you can have this great family life and just like that it can be gone. I'm sorry I got a bit off track. I have so many thoughts lately. I think the point I wanted to make as hard as it is to see pictures of Dennis instead of not really being able to have him here with us is somestimes painful but so helpful. Katie thank you for creating a source of comfort for all of us! I love you and Dennis very much! Jodi P.S. You have amazing parents and they raised amazing sons and daughters.
I have an amazing family each one of you are so supportive of each other and of everyone else I just want to tell you all how very proud I am to be part of such a loving family. You are right everyone has to come to their own terms with dealing with this horrible ordeal, but knowing that we have each other to lean on and knowing that you are not alone helps a little, I know that your Mom has asked questions about this site,I told her how wonderful it is she said she wouldn't be able to find it and I told her that she can get here from any one of your blogs because she knows how to go to your blogs I know it will be hard for her but maybe she will find as much comfort here as I have. May you each find a little peace in your day, today and everyday. Love Auntie Paula
Hey Girls,
The pictures of your parents are great. Katie, your mom mentioned the blog to me a couple of times when I was at her house a few sundays ago. She said that someone told her that I've gone on and left messages. She is happy its there but, ya too hard right now for them. I know you guys worry about them and if they will smile again. So, I just wanted to mention how that day I was so happy to see your mom smile so much at Dennis' girls. She sees him in them and I could tell how much that helps her and your Dad. When Jodi got there your Dad ran out and grabbed Mia and carried her in so proud and she was yelling "Nana, Nana" and your mom's face lit up!! And, I couldn't get enough of her that day - she is just TOO cute and looks JUST like Dennis and Jeannie & Katie when they were little. So, I kept saying how cute she was and your mom loved it and kept laughing at me and then we sat and talked about how Alana & Elise were so big and such good girls and she kept saying how they were like Dennis in so many ways. That is what will help her through - those adorable little girls. And, you never know she may take a look at the blog and may never mention it. But, she knows its here and how wonderful we all think it is. Your mother & father are great people and what great grandparents they are!!!!! All those little ones running around playing in their toy room at Nana's house and she has all the goodies they are looking for. She spoils them and LOVES every minute of it!!!!
Hope to see some of you saturday at Tayla's party. Your mom said she would be there.
Love you all!!!!
Deb
We are lucky. They gave us everything they could and most importantly they were just home taking care of us. I have alot of kids, like them and sometimes I try to picture my house with two more daughters in it and I can't even imagine it. I'm sure they sacrificed alot to raise seven kids.
Lucky Seven, we will alwys be seven!
I love you Ma and Dad! I know we don't say it often but, thanks!I love you both.
Mary
Its always harder for a parent. Everyone will always remember Dennis and lives will move on but a parent cannot "move on" as quickly. A child should never die before the parent. It's not natural. A parent will always need more time. Keep the Grandchildren coming over (whether they be Dennis' children or any of the other siblings children). It is from experience that I tell you this will help heal the heart. GOD Bless you all.
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