Our family is in morning over the loss of Matthew Perry his wonderful sense of humor, and his skills as an actor brought many smiles to our dark world. You will never be forgotten and always appreciated.
Rest in peace Matthew
Today I am grateful the laughter he brought to all of us.
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The world is such a heartbreaking place, my heart goes out to the Maine Community, as a person whose family has experienced a mass shooting in their own community where my grandchildren lost loved ones. Please know we have you in our hearts. Remember that there are people who honestly care, keep the outside noise out… it will not serve any purpose in the days and years to come.
Today I am grateful that my loved ones in Maine are safe and will keep those I do not know in my heart.
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I found out today that Jonathan our Faces of AS 0390 has passed away. I have not found out the exact day. He was a dear friend of mine, but we had not connected in a long time mainly due to my grief over Austin. May you rest in peace gentle man. JVA
Today I am grateful to have known you and was able to call you my friend.
One of the most beautiful smiles stopped smiling today. Thank you for having the courage to show women everywhere they deserved equal pay.
Rest in peace Suzanne Somers.
Today I am grateful for the beautiful smiles you gave to the world.
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Today Jennifer notified me to let me know that Scott our Faces of AS 0415 passed away on October 1, 2023. He was such a wonderful person and dear friend.
After letting everyone know I decided to update Faces Who Will Never Be Forgotten page, I needed to add Jackie, Nicole, Shawna, Hedy, Rachel, Justin, Ashley, and Scott my phone rang. It was a vendor I do business with, he said I was on his mind, and he wanted to reach out to me.
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I found out about your passing today, I am heartbroken for your sweet family. I wished I had known but I have spent this year staying to myself trying to heal many things.
I was so shocked to hear that you were no longer with us, but at the same time I wasn't you have suffered so. My heart breaks for Patrick and Lillian and the heartbreak they will carry forever.
Today I must find gratitude that now you will be able to be a mother to Lillah, may you rest in peace Ashley.
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I received news today that Rachel died, and I have no words. I cannot process this; she has two young daughters who still need her.
She was our Faces of AS #1071 Sighs…
The only thing that helps me with this is now she is with Autumn. I try to imagine how big her smile is when Autumn comes running to greet her at Heaven’s Gate. Healthy, happy, and verbal. I can see Rachel weeping with joy at hearing Autumn saying Mommy, you are here! I have missed you!
I hope there is a heaven where nothing, but joy and happiness fills the days.
Today I am grateful that I had the pleasure of calling her my friend.
Rest in Peace sweet girl
Save a place for me!
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I received a text around 1 pm from Kevin, it simply said my mom passed away this morning. I was so shocked and heartbroken for this sweet man, his wife Holly passed away in July 2021, she was a wonderful friend and one of our Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis. We spoke for a little while and I was so stunned when he shared with me how she died. I know there is nothing I can do or say that will ease his pain, but I wish I could more than anything.
Today I am grateful he has his faith to carry him through
this, may she rest in peace. I am sure Holly, and her family are grateful to
see her.
Rest in peace Carol.
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Everything went wonderful with Poopsie’s vet visit; she was so funny. They just love her. When I got home, I have seen on the news that the Titan that went missing on June 18 has been located. They said they found debris that was identified as the Titan. My heart breaks for their family especially the mother of the young man who was only nineteen, same age as our Austin when we lost him.
So much is lost when a young person passes, a whole future
is gone and the grief and pain of that never leaves until those who love them
are no longer here. It should be a reminder to the world to hold on to those you hold dear to your heart a little closer.
It has been difficult and wonderful doing this blog, I have so many days in draft that I am publishing a little at a time. I regret that I allowed life events to keep me from doing this, but hopefully I will be able to for now on.
Today I am grateful that they have finally been found and their
family can now begin the process of grieving. I am also grateful for the life I have been blessed with and the people who were beside me along the way.
Rest in peace Hamish, Shahzada, Suleman, Paul-Henry, and
Stockton.
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I received a phone call today that broke my heart. We have been expecting this call, but it still knocks the wind out of you. So many thoughts, memories, and regret are running through my mind. I am not looking forward to telling Ronnie, he will be heartbroken. I was fourteen when I first met you, and due to circumstances neither one of us played a role in, we were expected to be enemies. But we weren’t and became close over time. You were always so fun to be with and so easy to like. I remember when your baby was diagnosed with cancer at four months, you were amazing and so brave. I thought of her taking care of you during this time and the pain it causes. The only thought I can hold on too is your suffering is over and you are now with your family. My heart breaks for Joe because he is alone now, all of you are gone now. I try to imagine what it must be like right now the homecoming I pray that is happening at this moment. Bear hugs and oh my gosh how much I have missed you. That is what I will hang on to.
May you rest in peace, Marcie. May you find comfort being
with your parents and siblings.
Today I am grateful for being able to call you friend for fifty
years.
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I received a phone call today that broke my heart. I have spent all day trying not to think about the fear and pain that you must have endured. It is moments like this that have me questioning my feelings.
I remember the first time I met you; the year was 1999. You were so kind and welcoming, silly too. You always had me in stitches and tears rolling down my cheeks.
I pray that you did not suffer. The only comfort I can find
in this is I know how much you have missed your parents and I pray they were
there to greet you.
May you rest in peace, Herb.
Today I am grateful for the memories of you and the kindness
you were always so free with.
So much sadness, so much heartache. My heart is broken to have to say goodbye to one of the sweetest people I have been ever blessed to not only know but call my friend. Hedy our Faces of AS 008, died today. I can not begin to tell you how wonderful and kind this lady was to me, I have “known” her since 2010. She always encouraged me when I could not find the courage I needed, she would send me emails filled with such love and compassion. I still remember her heartfelt words when Austin died.
I must find peace that she is now with her beloved Walter, and I hope she is with Austin too, how wonderful would that be.
Today I am incredibly grateful to have been blessed with such a sweet person in my life…
Rest in Peace Hedy, I love you
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Later today we received the devastating news that my grandchildren’s grandfather passed away. My heart breaks for my family so much loss, so much pain, so much grief.
Today I am grateful for the people who I have been blessed to know, rest in peace Lee.
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Today we must say goodbye to Shawna, she was Faces of AS 1515. I hope that she is finally able to be at peace, you fought a hard battle sweetheart.
Today I am grateful to have been blessed enough to know her.
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Today we say goodbye to Jesse Justin who was Faces of AS0275. They were someone who was brave enough to live their authentic life and someone I cared for deeply and respected.
Rest in peace Justin.
Today I am grateful that you were a part of my life.
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Jackie was one of the first people I met in the Ankylosing Spondylitis Community.
She was Faces of AS 0005.
She was so incredibly kind and sweet! She has such a beautiful heart, she is one of the only ones who had my back during the AS World War and I will be forever indebted to her for that.
You will be missed terribly, rest in peace sweet girl.
Today I am grateful to have been blessed with your friendship.
Today we say goodbye to John who was A.S. Face 0100. There was not a song that John did not know the name, artist, and lyrics to. I nicknamed him Music Man. I will forever miss our conversations.
Rest In Peace John
Today I am grateful for a man who was so kind to me when I
needed a friend.
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Today we say goodbye to the doctor who would come to mean so much to me. He was the only doctor whoever actually HEARD me. The first time I met him he spent several hours talking to me, never sending me on my way even though the office had closed. He gave me my life back. I love him more than he will ever know. Rest in peace Dr. Lidsky.
Today I am eternally grateful for a doctor who truly cared enough to listen to me.
I will miss the sound of her running down the hall to greet me in the morning. I will miss you forever and a day Ms. Kittie, rest in peace sweetheart. Your brothers and sisters are waiting. I love you precious girl.
Today I am so grateful for wrong turns and finding this sweet little girl.
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