Taking a Break

Hello Friends~

I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a little break from blogging, at least for the coming week.

Dear friends of ours lost their son yesterday. He was just 17 years old and took his own life. It's beyond horrible and still a shock. Ryan was such a sweet kid with a big heart. Having no family here in Virginia, they have become our family. We all get together to celebrate birthdays, holidays and just to have fun for no reason at all. My Mario adored Ryan, and Ryan loved to play with him and make him laugh. I am dreading the next time Mario asks me, "Mama, where's Ryan?"

As a mother, my heart aches for my dear friend Deirdre. I cannot begin to imagine the depth of her pain. He was her only child and her whole world. I am planning to be with her as much as possible to offer support and just to be there. What greater loss could there ever be than the loss of your child?

If you pray, would you mind saying a prayer for them? They need all the help they can get to begin the very slow and painful process of healing and finding peace. Thank you.

Hugs,
Andrea

Comments

[Kara]

Andrea,
We will pray for your friend. A tragic loss for the family--- their only son. I cannot even comprehend the sadness they must feel and will feel in the lifetime ahead. We will pray for this family in VA. We're so sorry.
Love & Prayers,
Kara & Darcy

[Tammy L]

Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.

[sherry]

There is such sadness when a child leaves the world -- no matter how it happens. This boy was deeply sad and it pains my heart to know so many teenagers experience this and it leaves the parents with unanswered questions.

My heart is heavy just reading your post but you are wonderful to just make yourself available. It shows your spirit and your heart. This boy, his family and yours are in my prayers. Many blessings to you.

[Gabrielle]

I am sooooo sorrry to hear this...it is uncomprehendable to imagine what the family is going through. I understand and what a good friend to be there when she needs you.......

[linda]

Oh Andrea, I am so sorry, I will pray for this family and for yours and all the lives that Ryan touched with his friendship.

[Carla]

I type this with tears in my eyes. As a mother of two teenage boys (16 & 18), I can't even begin to fathom your friend's pain and suffering right now. I'm so sorry for their family's loss. I hope they can find the strength they need to come to terms with this terrible tragedy. Your a good friend, Andrea, to make yourself fully available to your friend and her family at this time. Let her know how many strangers are thinking of them, praying for them, and even slightly sharing their pain. My heart truly aches for her and her family.

Carla

[Leah C.]

Oh Andrea, my prayers go out to Ryan's family and to yours. What a horrible tragedy for them to endure. Please know that every parent's heart aches right now at the thought of their pain and sorrow...and every one of those hearts will pray for them It is so good of you to be there for them; I hope they will find some comfort & strength from the support of friends. My deepest sympathies...

[Lili M.]

Wishing you,your family and your friends strenght and all the best in these horrible times. Words just cannot say enough right now. I'm thinking of you all. Take care. L.

[char]

Words can not express my sympathy for this family and for yours. I am the mother of a teenage boy and to even think of losing him is an unbearable thought. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

[stacy]

i am so very sorry to hear of the loss of this poor boy. my heart aches for his family,and cannot imagine what it must be like. my God please bless this family,and wrap your arms around them and carry them through this terrible loss. andrea i am so so sorry!

[Nancy]

Oh Andrea...I am so sorry for the loss of your friend's son, Ryan. May they find peace in remembering all of the wonderful times they had with him.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs, Nancy

[Littlepinkstudio]

Oh Andrea, I am so very sorry! I am always horribly saddened when a young person loses their life, especially by their own hand. As a Mother of teens I know that they think everythig is so permanent, and you always know if you can just get them through the teen years everything will be allright.
My heart aches for your friend this morning, I can not even begin to know her pain. Theirs and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope they will be able to find some comfort in each other.
Much love,
Cerri xo

[Miss Sandy]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss and am deeply saddened for your friend and her family. You can count on me for prayer support.

[Linda F.]

Oh, I just can't even imagine...My thoughts and prayers are with their family and yours!

[Abby from The Blissful]

Andrea--

I am so sorry to hear the sad news. My heart breaks for Ryan's family and friends. I will pray for peace, strength, and comfort.

--Abby

[Becky]

Andrea,
I am so very sorry to hear this. My family and I are so deeply sadden by the news of such a tragic loss. I cannot imagine how your dear friends must feel. Both their family and yours are in our thoughts and prayers. Please take care.

Becky

[Heather Grow]

Hi Andrea. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's son.

[Tantetee]

oooh.... It must be terrible to loose a son, espacially when your only son takes his own life...
I'm so sorry for there loss, my thoughts are with his family and friends....

[jennifer sizemore]

I am so saddened to read of this horrible loss. Please know that my prayers are with you and your friend's family.

[maryk]

I am so very sorry to hear about this tragedy. My son lost his best friend to suicide ten years ago. The pain is overwhelming for all of those that Ryan left. I will pray for his family and friends, and for you to have strength and courage to get thru the next few weeks. Everyone's emotions will be all over the place ~tears, laughter, anger, guilt, fear, and sorrow. I know you will be a good listener and wonderful support for your friends. God Bless.

[Rebecca]

Oh, my heart aches for this family! I will definitely keep them in my prayers! My sister lost her son when he was 26, and it has been the hardest thing to deal with.

Please know that my heart goes out to this family and yours, and prayers are being sent up!!

Huge Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca

[Andrea]

Andrea -

We will certainly pray for your family, as well as Ryan's.

Our 17 yr old son lost his best friend to suicide in September. The anguish is unbelievable. We ended up with about 150 kids at our home that afternoon, as word got around. I am taken back to that day now, and am sending as much strength and as many hugs as I can. It is such an overwhelming series of emotions - your own as well as those of Ryan's family friends. Teenagers have not likely had to cope with such a loss, of a peer in particular. Their emotions are so amplified and most of them have no idea how to process them. They will need all the support you can muster.

Love to you. Take care and email if you need to "chat" - I'm here for you.

Andrea

[Rosemary]

I can't even imagine Andrea. I am so very sorry for that family and yours.
I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Rosemary

[Natasha Burns]

This is just too sad Andrea, it must be incredibly hard on your friends and you with Ryan being like part of your family too. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts xo

[MelissaC]

I cannot even imagine the pain they are all experiencing. I will pray for all of you! {{{HUGS}}}