tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post5299642765983751662..comments2023-09-20T00:13:37.931-04:00Comments on One Good Thing: You Can Run, But You Can't HideMandy Hitchcockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14365577216317740232noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-34614703293823951812011-01-01T22:45:15.803-05:002011-01-01T22:45:15.803-05:00May God bless your family. God IS with you on thi...May God bless your family. God IS with you on this journey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-91353298091316696382010-12-31T17:39:24.940-05:002010-12-31T17:39:24.940-05:00Mandy, I have recently been working on a book by a...Mandy, I have recently been working on a book by a woman well versed in grief, and she speaks often about the haunted, empty, heartbroken look she sees on her face in pictures of her in the early days after her loss, and how she now recognizes it in other people fresh to their own losses. She doesn't wear it herself anymore, though. It won't always be such an effort. You are not alone, and you are not abnormal, and someday you will see that look on someone else's face and reach out to them, remembering, rather than feeling, the same excruciating unyielding pain. <br /><br />There is no way you should expect yourself to feel grateful for anything short of the one miracle none of us can create for you. I hope you've had some good pastries, at least. <br /><br />pAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-7594656513061710232010-12-30T17:11:51.777-05:002010-12-30T17:11:51.777-05:00Oh little Hudson - she did love the snow didn'...Oh little Hudson - she did love the snow didn't she? She looks so at home amongst it, sitting there in that pretty lavender snow suit. I'm not surprised that all that snow felt like the Universe flipping you the finger. So unfair.<br /><br />I think I know a little of what you mean when you write that everything has a 'dull finish' to it. <br /><br />Please don't feel ridiculous or ungrateful Mandy. You are neither of those things, truly. xoCatherine Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01618295389400457254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-67218806204820116012010-12-30T10:35:58.596-05:002010-12-30T10:35:58.596-05:00I went to Paris in October for a similar reason, t...I went to Paris in October for a similar reason, to escape and I felt the exact same way you did. About the city, about myself, about pictures. I can completely sympathize. <br /><br />You survived it though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-32917017459587938332010-12-29T21:39:37.701-05:002010-12-29T21:39:37.701-05:00Mandy -- Please be kind to yourself -- Please do n...Mandy -- Please be kind to yourself -- Please do not think yourself ungrateful or ridiculous......you are neither. Of course you feel that you should be at home in NC with your beautiful Hudson -- that IS where you should be. There just aren't any answers as to why awful stuff happens to good people. And, I agree with what someone else wrote: not much time has passed since Hudson's death....you are still so very much in the early stages of grieving -- you are doing the best you can do in an impossible situation......and I think you are doing an amazing job. Hugs, many kind thoughts, and prayers for a safe return. I love that you lit a candle in Notre Dame -- I did the same when I was there many years ago. MariannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-89010365388739154092010-12-29T21:06:25.666-05:002010-12-29T21:06:25.666-05:00I am so sorry that there is never a break from the...I am so sorry that there is never a break from the grief-- I had so hoped that this trip would be a way to give you a few days to rest, heal, and prepare for the future a little more. I hope that you will find moments to laugh and enjoy, and that the grief will stay at bay a bit more. Take care of yourself and the little Penguin.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01171863825834003035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-27219235759863788912010-12-29T20:44:05.160-05:002010-12-29T20:44:05.160-05:00Sweet girl, you are doing the very best that anyon...Sweet girl, you are doing the very best that anyone could do. Go easy on yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-42205819179026123562010-12-29T16:12:36.615-05:002010-12-29T16:12:36.615-05:00Hugs, Mandy. As stated in an earlier comment, not...Hugs, Mandy. As stated in an earlier comment, not much time at all has passed since Hudson's death. All those first milestones are so hard. I remember vividly saying last Christmas that being happy was no longer reflexive as it had been before V. died. I know our situations are different, but I do believe that in time happiness will come more easily for you. OliviaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-77028551129178133982010-12-29T13:47:07.296-05:002010-12-29T13:47:07.296-05:00At every single moment each of us is doing the bes...At every single moment each of us is doing the best we can with what we've got... hope you are finding ways to just let yourself "be who you is" without too much expectation and judgment... One day (or one moment or one breath)at a time whether you're in Paris, or DC, or trapped inside your won head... You are a survivor even in the face of this seemingly insurmountable challenge and just as you survived yesterday, you will make through today AND tomorrow... There is such grace and poise is just being able to open your eyes and face each new day, you needn't feel pressured to put on a smiley face until you feel like smiling!!LTAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-67802309582796783762010-12-29T13:03:34.796-05:002010-12-29T13:03:34.796-05:00I so wish this weren't the life you were force...I so wish this weren't the life you were forced to live. Surrounding you with love, Renee P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-90938424271360389372010-12-29T12:47:17.698-05:002010-12-29T12:47:17.698-05:00Bonjour, Mandy. Thanks for keeping in touch from P...Bonjour, Mandy. Thanks for keeping in touch from Paris. I am always grateful for your communications - their honesty and poignancy. YOU have no reason to feel that you are "ungrateful or ridiculous", of course. You are just where you must be in your feelings. AND you are so grateful for Hudson, Ed and the Little Penguin. You are a gem of a person, wife and mother - please never forget that.<br /><br />With love and compassion,<br />Rebecca<br /><br />[by the way, I cannot access the "Merry Christmas, Sweet Angel" video which opened only once when I could not view it; hope it can be remedied when you are back home or perhaps it's my computers' faults.]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-12136859828319016152010-12-29T12:16:45.354-05:002010-12-29T12:16:45.354-05:00Dear Mandy,
The day Ed posted photos of your trip...Dear Mandy,<br /><br />The day Ed posted photos of your trip on FB, we got your lovely holiday card. Hudson's beautiful face looked out at me as I handled that card, and I just felt so sad and angry that she is no longer here. It's just so wrong.<br /><br />I'm sorry the trip has been less of a respite than we all hoped. I see what you are talking about in the pictures -- a beautiful, but very changed, you (although if I didn't know you and know what you had lost, I wouldn't know anything was the matter). I'm not sure I have any kind of point, except to say that I'm sorry and still hopeful for happier times ahead in 2011 and beyond. I wish I could take even an ounce of your pain and bear it for you.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06934086303273850194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-48421678752600131342010-12-29T12:08:48.077-05:002010-12-29T12:08:48.077-05:00Mandy, you are not ridiculous or ungrateful. You ...Mandy, you are not ridiculous or ungrateful. You knew this trip was the lesser of two evils, that Christmas without Hudson would be Christmas without Hudson, regardless of geography. That you have been able to enjoy anything on the trip is a testament to your strength. I remember lighting candles in the Notre Dame for family members, and it makes me happy to think of you doing the same for Hudson. Thinking of you guys, and wishing you peace during the rest of your trip.tylersmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09901435289448213045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-45452543593154142532010-12-29T12:06:55.847-05:002010-12-29T12:06:55.847-05:00Your picture made me cry. I wish I knew for a fac...Your picture made me cry. I wish I knew for a fact that it would get better. I think it will, I feel it will, and of course I hope it will. But gosh, Mandy, it's still SO SOON. I had hoped the change of scenery might distract you enough, but I'm not surprised that it hasn't. How can you distract a broken heart?<br />Ride the waves of grief, secure in the knowledge that you are doing the best you can. I wish I could fix it for you.<br />Peace and tranquility to your heart, Mandy-<br />ClaireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239796424430952907.post-6799650164100075472010-12-29T12:05:53.194-05:002010-12-29T12:05:53.194-05:00Mandy,
You put one foot in front of the other and ...Mandy,<br />You put one foot in front of the other and got yourself across the ocean during this crazy difficult season - a feat in itself! The pictures Ed posted are just beautiful but you most certainly don't look like you :( It's so painfully obvious that you're just aching and, for that, I'm so, so sorry. <br />We don't want to face a new year without Hudson; we know, though, that 2011 will bring us her beautiful little sibling, and that's one good thing.<br />Lots of love,<br />KatieKatie Shea Brittonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11387792028833061302noreply@blogger.com