ANNARCHY - Latest Comments in Birthday Boy

Re: Birthday Boy

Chris Turner — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:55:31 -0000

I have a five year-old named Colin. When I read the dedication in your book, and then read this tribute, I did what any parent would do shortly thereafter: I went home and hugged my son tight. I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm thankful that you shared this.

Re: Birthday Boy

Jan Richards — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:06:13 -0000

So very, very beautiful, Ann!

Thank you for sharing a very difficult story and time in your life.

You have written such a wonderful tribute to the beautiful life of your precious Colin.

Re: Birthday Boy

GiGi — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:21:31 -0000

Ann, I remember your photo of Colin coming out of the cupboard and have often reflected on that as my own children have done the same playing hide and seek. I also have seen you carry Colin with you in your strength and love of life. We haven't seen each other in many years, but I can see you in your writing and in your reflections on life. Happy Belated, Colin.

Re: Birthday Boy

Shari — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:45:00 -0000

Wow. What a wonderful way to share the joy of your son's life...and the pain of losing him. I'm consumed by tears at the thought...I have a little son so like how you describe Colin. The thought of losing him completely overwhelms me. You are such a strong person to share this.

Re: Birthday Boy

C.B. Whittemore — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:29:43 -0000

Ann,

Thank you for celebrating Colin's life with us.

Love,
CB

Re: Birthday Boy

Cam Beck — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:40:32 -0000

Today I'm leaving work early and hugging my children extra tight. I'll not say a word to them, though. The lump in my throat will prevent me from speaking.

Re: Birthday Boy

Sarah — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:45:47 -0000

Do not think that there has ever been an October 4th gone by that I havent thought about your beautiful boy-The image of him bursting out of the kitchen cabinet makes my heart ache and soar-all at the same time...Thank you for sharing his birthday with us all
Love Sarah

Re: Birthday Boy

Sonia Simone — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:22:57 -0000

Happy birthday, beautiful boy. The world loved you, and you loved the world.

Re: Birthday Boy

Shama Hyder — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:45:22 -0000

Hi Ann,

I am not sure if I can find the right words, but I will try....

I am so so sorry for your loss. He was ONE lucky boy! I do believe that the people we love never leave us ,and one day we will definitely be together in spirit.

Wishing you lots of courage and peace. Thank you for opening your heart to us.

Re: Birthday Boy

Peter Caputa — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:02:31 -0000

Thank you for being so generous and sharing this with the world. As the father of a one year old boy, your story makes it so much more apparent the amazing life he's experiencing already and how lucky I am to be a part of it. Colin and his story is certainly reminding many of us to live each day fully in celebration of the gift that life is. God Bless his soul. It's shining brightly today.

Re: Birthday Boy

Marianne Richmond — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:31:57 -0000

Ann,

Thank you for sharing the inside of your heart. Your words will live in my heart for a while...taking me to this moment which begins in such a familiar way and ends with the unimaginable.

"One day he was sitting in my lap with a book, clapping his hands when we came to his favorite page, and within 48 hours he was gone."

As I wonder sometimes how I am going to get through another moment with these 2 teenage strangers who have replaced my own adorable little boys, I will think of Colin for perspective. Thank you.

Marianne

Re: Birthday Boy

Megan Cordero — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:40:15 -0000

Wow! I read it, I cried. I read everyone's comments, I cried more. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and moving story. And thank you for the reminder of just how precious every moment is. I will give my lil' ones an extra hug in the morning, and forget all about the hysterical craziness that went on earlier this evening.

Re: Birthday Boy

S. — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:42:54 -0000

Ann, even though I never knew Colin, I always think of you and your baby boy when I plant sunflowers seeds into the earth every spring. Thank you for sharing a part of Colin's life with us on his birthday. I will carry his story in my heart.
Love, Susan

Re: Birthday Boy

Zil — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:10:32 -0000

As the tears flow down my face and I sniffle and honk in my typical unladylike fashion - I send you all my love - Thanks for sharing the joy of Colin's life and the pain and hole that never go away... never. Even though my daughter Ann's life was only a few days long, the wondering and imagining of what might have been doesn't go away. Anniversaries of birth and death bring it all to the surface year after year. Not bad, just Hard. Love You - thanks for your gift of sharing through your writing.

Re: Birthday Boy

Jen DelMonaco — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:18:32 -0000

What a beautiful tribute! Happy birthday and happy life indeed, young Colin! Ann, your insight and courage is inspiring.

Re: Birthday Boy

Donna Tocci — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:31:17 -0000

A belated birthday to sweet Colin! Ann, you are amazing...to share this with all of us is courageous. As many have said before...a big hug to you.

Re: Birthday Boy

Kevin Burke — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:46:57 -0000

Makes me more appreciative of every moment with my children. Thank you Ann.

Re: Birthday Boy

Kami Huyse — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:40:26 -0000

Ann,

I didn't really know what I was up for when I followed this link. As the mother of two small children, and one more on the way, I could really relate to Colin's sweetness at that age. And now we all know him because you have shared him with us. How courageous of you.

Re: Birthday Boy

ethel — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:32:20 -0000

Ann,
Eileen shared...this tribute is so you. No wonder Colin was so special with you as his mom.

Re: Birthday Boy

Bobby Lehew — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:48:48 -0000

No grief can compare. We lost our Daniel four years ago to cancer. He was three.

Thank you for summoning the courage to share.

Re: Birthday Boy

Sandy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:22:36 -0000

Ann -

As you may know, I just lost a baby at 19 weeks and delivered him. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm glad we got to hold him and say goodbye. He was a boy and we named him Augustine.

I appreciate your post since I can understand what you mean about wanting others to know that he did have a fulfilled life. The thing that saddens me the most is that no one will ever get to know him or appreciate the kind of person he is - or would have been. It has taken me several weeks now just to be able to walk past a group of boys playing soccer, or to take my kids on a merry-go-round ride or to hear about a kid’s birthday party without feeling the pangs of loss – not loss of the baby, but loss of what will never be for Augustine. I feel like he never got a chance to make his impact on this world, or to have his childhood. And, as the SuperMom that I delude myself into believing that I am, the helpless feeling of not being able to fix this one. I have to let the wave of injustice roll over me.

But, the thing that gets me through each day is knowing that those that are taken early, such as Colin and Augustine, are really the most blessed of us all as they won't ever know any pain or suffering on this earth. Thanks be to God for his mercy.

Strength to you.

Re: Birthday Boy

Larissa Gaston — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:53:53 -0000

Losing a child is an experience I wish on no one. Focusing on how much life was lived instead of how much was lost, however short that life might be, is not easy and yet you’ve mastered it, I imagine you were forced to. The abundance of joy Colin gave and experienced leaps out at me when I read your letter. What a happy and fulfilled boy - how lucky you were to have him in your life.

Re: Birthday Boy

Gary Cohen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:38:10 -0000

Ann,

I have been thinking about you quite a bit since your mention of Colin a few posts back. I will just tighten my mental hug and say thanks for writing this post and allowing us to be a part of your wonderful extended family.

We learn so much from our friends and family, and especially from our children. Your beautiful letter said it all. You said that "It strikes me that, if our boy were here, he’d hardly recognize us."

Curious and caring. Full of wonder, especially a love of books and full of the joy of reading. Excited to see the people that matter most. Full of generosity and always ready to share. Full of geniality and ready with a wide smile. Full of the love from family and many friends.

Two peas in a pod. He'd recognize you for sure!
Gary

Re: Birthday Boy

Jim Sutton — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:06:04 -0000

Ann,

On Colin's birthday, what a gift you give to us by sharing these thoughts. Colin sounds like such a lovable, affectionate, and engaging boy. From your words, I have been able to experience some of his life and feel some of the fullness of it. You help me treasure my own children and grandchildren more. Thank you.

Jim

Re: Birthday Boy

Jason Rubin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:21:12 -0000

I had a sister who died when I was just one years old; she was seven when she succumbed to leukemia in 1964. My parents never spoke of her or had photos of her displayed. My younger sister and I each found out about by accident. In later years, I managed to get my parents to be more public about her, and in doing so, she became alive in many more people's hearts again. I would humbly offer to you that you should celebrate Colin's birthday every year, and include his sister actively in it. Though they never knew each other, they belong to each other.

I wrote about my sister recently in my blog here: http://dovenestedtowers.blo...