tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892567951346285110.post5140787527271421633..comments2023-11-02T10:58:05.869-04:00Comments on Gavin's Voice: The VW'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05116325494368190699noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892567951346285110.post-27291676756894235412010-10-12T01:38:38.516-04:002010-10-12T01:38:38.516-04:00Just read this older post tonight, and I wanted yo...Just read this older post tonight, and I wanted you to know I"m thinking about you.<br />connieconniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08675708151247378703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892567951346285110.post-2135718701154237492007-09-17T10:09:00.000-04:002007-09-17T10:09:00.000-04:00Oh sweet girl, you have had such a hard year. Gav...Oh sweet girl, you have had such a hard year. Gavin, Jacob, Nolan & Caleb are the luckiest boys in the world to have you and Joel as parents. As for feeling loved, that is a given, but above feeling loved they are learning so many essential life lessons from your journey with Gavin's illness. You are teaching them the TRUE meaning of unconditional love not only for your family but that of which you receive from God. You are teaching them patience, understanding, hope, courage, and boundless devotion. You are a hero of the human spirit. I envy your capacity for love and faith as it is truly amazing!! There isn't a single day that goes by that I'm not amazed by you, or not inspired by you. <BR/>With more love & admiration than words could describe,<BR/>JulieInspiredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680325645387784822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892567951346285110.post-7682136193812467312007-09-16T12:15:00.000-04:002007-09-16T12:15:00.000-04:00I honestly don't know if I can fully express to yo...I honestly don't know if I can fully express to you how much you amaze me, Alicia. You have always been like a second mom to me, someone I was always able to come to, knowing you would give me the most caring and truthful advice and unwavering support. You've always made me so proud, but now you've moved to a new level that leaves me in awe of all you've been able to handle and do - all while continually keeping a strong faith and motivating others to do the same (and making a clear difference in the lives of your entire family!). <BR/><BR/>I can only imagine how hard it must be some days to not beat yourself up, to not lose faith in YOU... Yet you still continue to amaze us all with your strength and resolution. If you ONLY KNEW what we all see when we look at you, Alicia! Our little sis said it perfectly! I'll just add that I honestly believe if it weren't for you and the strong fight you led while Gavin was in the hospital, I don't think he'd be here with us today - a year later - doing as well as he IS doing! So as much as you'd like to go back and stomp your feet a little louder, I know without a doubt you already HAVE changed the future. We have that precious little boy with us. And along with Gavin's Voice, you've certainly found a new and loud voice of your own - despite all the adversity. Like I said, you AMAZE me, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon... :o) ((((HUGS))))<BR/><BR/>Happy Birthday, Gavin! WE LOVE YOU!!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01423625698063463332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892567951346285110.post-76913814147819923032007-09-14T13:13:00.000-04:002007-09-14T13:13:00.000-04:00Dear Alicia,It has been such a difficult year for ...Dear Alicia,<BR/><BR/>It has been such a difficult year for all of you. What a way to begin life for Gavin! And my heart breaks for you for all of the struggles you have faced so courageously.<BR/><BR/>And I wouldn't begin to try to tell you how to think "victoriously" about all of what has happened because I haven't exactly walked in your shoes and don't know what my own responses would be in your situation. I will pray, though, that you will not be so hard on yourself and not blame yourself for some of the things that have happened in the course of Gavin's treatment. You and Joel are loving parents who are faithful to God, and I know that you have been motivated only by love for your son and for God. We needn't ever be sorry or have any regrets for that.<BR/><BR/>I hope these thoughts from one of our authors will encourage you--even a little. These are the truths she suggests we remind ourselves of:<BR/><BR/>"* Yes, I hurt, but I will not hurt forever.<BR/>*Even pain has a beginning, middle, and an end.<BR/>*I will survive.<BR/>*God does care.<BR/>*Some of God's people know how to comfort me.<BR/>*Even if this is my fault [and none of this is, Alicia], beating myself won't help.<BR/>*God loves me tenderly when I'm hurting.<BR/>*I can't see it through these tears, but God does have a future for me [and Gavin].<BR/>*Morning will come."<BR/><BR/>Our family continues to pray for all of you, dear Alicia, and this week especially we've been giving thanks for the year of life God has given to Gavin. God's work is never in vain, and His gift of life to Gavin is a good gift--He gives only good gifts, even if it's hard for us to see the goodness of them sometimes. Happy birthday to him--and to all of you.<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>AnnetteAnnette Gysenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07458438008034828484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892567951346285110.post-17575522619497999292007-09-14T12:31:00.000-04:002007-09-14T12:31:00.000-04:00Alicia, Gavin, and all the other VW's I love so mu...Alicia, Gavin, and all the other VW's I love so much,<BR/><BR/>First of all, HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY Gavin!!! I hope to come see your squishy little butt soon and celebrate with the fam. I love you!<BR/><BR/>Second, Alicia...my older, wiser sister. I am amazed by you every day. Even when I don't see you or talk to you...you are in my mind and thoughts and it is always a thought of pride. I am so proud of you and all you have learned about life, faith, family, and yourself thoughout this journey of the past year. In reading your postings, I know that not much this past year has been easy for you or your family. I hope every day that things get better and easier.<BR/><BR/>You have always had Gavin's best interest at heart and we who know you, know you have done everything in your power to get him the best care. I hope that you are able to move past beating yourself up for not "throwing a fit" in April, and continue your already amazing efforts to help other patients and families that are going though similar situations. You can't change the past, but I know you well enough to know that you are DEFINITELY changing the future. <BR/><BR/>The other thing that I wanted to tell you is that I KNOW! that Jacob, Nolan, and Caleb feel loved and well taken care of! They have fantastic parents in you and Joel and it is clear they are happy little boys! I don't know how much longer I can call them little boys...they are all getting so BIG! <BR/><BR/>I will definitely be up in the next month or so to visit all of you. Please give everyone hugs, kisses, and love from me! I love you, RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com