tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post8526818046129564771..comments2023-09-10T06:31:57.471-05:00Comments on Dispatches From the Away-Dad Nation: Treading Water in a Sea of SadnessHal Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17350917997504370743noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-37509457196952109612008-10-10T08:02:00.000-05:002008-10-10T08:02:00.000-05:00Debby's a good teacher! And I'm sure Dylan "feels...Debby's a good teacher! And I'm sure Dylan "feels it" when you're off working.Algernonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01698040927871199780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-54346435076334157072008-10-10T01:46:00.000-05:002008-10-10T01:46:00.000-05:00Hey there Hal - so many little things can throw me...Hey there Hal - so many little things can throw me off kilter, and these days it seems to be more often right now the off kilter things crop up.<BR/><BR/>Here is crossing everything for Debby and more moments when a hug or kiss from Dad or Mum will still make everything better.jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17322709527738134797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-3836087783418999262008-10-09T22:42:00.000-05:002008-10-09T22:42:00.000-05:00Hey, Hal.Hey, Hal.Roland Denzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17973262223130314573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-61494320374951633532008-10-09T22:08:00.000-05:002008-10-09T22:08:00.000-05:00Hal, there's nothing worse than having your little...Hal, there's nothing worse than having your little boy cry and feeling there's nothing you can do about it. But you did just what he needed -- held him tight and respected his feelings. So many times when mine were younger I would find myself saying, "Don't cry." Well, they needed to cry! That's why God gave us tears. <BR/><BR/>I've been lying awake nights thinking about the economy. It's stories like yours, however, that keep things in perspective. The best things in life really are free. <BR/><BR/>Sadness is an emotion. I think God gave us that too. <BR/><BR/>Great job as usual. <BR/><BR/>And love and prayers to Debby.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15978016568840318921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-12777214938302609902008-10-09T18:57:00.000-05:002008-10-09T18:57:00.000-05:00Aww. Dylan's tears got to me and I couldn't even s...Aww. Dylan's tears got to me and I couldn't even see them. Poor little guy.<BR/><BR/>I don't think I appreciated what I had until I went through a period of depression a few years ago. Suddenly, every tiny moment of happiness, every blessing, meant so much more when I did find it.Mary O. Paddockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097124493453341534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-67691407759875403082008-10-09T17:24:00.000-05:002008-10-09T17:24:00.000-05:00I've been in a weird place myself. And with the e...I've been in a weird place myself. And with the economic issues we're not the only ones!<BR/><BR/>I bet your reunion with the family will be fantastic.Redleftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04834798382800790723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-19615082097494091912008-10-09T17:05:00.000-05:002008-10-09T17:05:00.000-05:00Hal, what can I say? To Debby: You're in my pray...Hal, what can I say? To Debby: You're in my prayers!! <BR/><BR/>Broke my heart when you told how Dylan cried when you had to leave this last time, Hal. <BR/><BR/>Kelly's right. There is so much sadness in the world, so much all around us on a daily basis if we pause to look. But, we can't, as has been said, get caught up in it. What we can do is what we can, each day, to brighten someones moment, to reach out and give a hug when a friend or child or co-worker seems down.<BR/><BR/>We can smile at strangers and pray for all those we know who are suffering or struggling in some way.<BR/><BR/>Sadness really is a prat of life. We might not truly appreciate the joy without it.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17133743056974995270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-32017985157498161872008-10-09T15:19:00.000-05:002008-10-09T15:19:00.000-05:00I'm not sure really what I can say (and you may be...I'm not sure really what I can say (and you may be thinking "so don't say anything!), but I wanted to give you both my support and encouragement.<BR/><BR/>Hal, sadness is part of life. Don't deny it, but don't dwell on it. Think of your blessings instead! That's always good medicine!<BR/><BR/>Debby... prayers and hugs for you as you deal with your diagnosis!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859017153454691633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-66028859789929365562008-10-09T14:21:00.000-05:002008-10-09T14:21:00.000-05:00You're amazing, Debby, and once again, you humble ...You're amazing, Debby, and once again, you humble me. That's a good thing.Hal Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17350917997504370743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33980200.post-5742597499352395062008-10-09T14:17:00.000-05:002008-10-09T14:17:00.000-05:00Gees, Hal. Thanks. You can't get caught up in only...Gees, Hal. Thanks. You can't get caught up in only the sadness. Really. I can honestly say that there have been so many blessings for me <I>on a daily basis</I>. Truly. Today, my friend came, and we were talking about how life spins around on a dime, sometimes. The thing is Hal, I tried to explain about the blessings, and I found that I did not need to. I glanced across the room, and there was a buck right there, in the road at the end of my driveway. We both were shocked to bits. I've never seen him before. Seriously. Look for the blessings...you will find them. They're everywhere. I've got some posts coming up that highlight this (the pre-post feature has been a great help during this time). Give Dylan a hug, and teach him how to find blessings!Debbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09531125606268748793noreply@blogger.com