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wow- that's all I can say (Reply to this comment)
by shannon
I got pulled into this review from one of Bob the Tomato's reviews and have such a feeling of pain just reading and yet so glad for your hope too. Thank you for writing it. God bless.
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Jan 19 '07
4:30 pm PST
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There are no words to fully express (Reply to this comment)
by MARIEROY
my sadness at your loss, but thank you for sharing with us. As I'm sure you have come to know time softens the pain, but we live in a separate reality. But if it gives any comfort, I do believe those we loss have simply moved to another side of life, yet are nearby always. And yes one day we will be reunited when we are called back home. May loving memories comfort your heart.
Marie
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Jan 19 '06
11:24 am PST
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Speaking as one... (Reply to this comment)
by AinsleyJo
...who was, at one time, one of those very independent kids like your Emily and grew up to be the godmother of another such kid, I know that we have a way of being under Mommy's watchful eye one minute and being off somewhere the next.
In both cases, our mothers had left us somewhere we had assumed was safe (me out in our backyard playing with my favorite cat, and Michelle in a play area at the neighborhood laundromat) and, just for a short time, turned their attention to other things, and we vanished into thin air (or so it seemed).
Fortunately for our mothers, we turned up safe-and-sound, but either or both of our stories could have been similar to yours with Emily.
I had my own scary episode with Michelle one time when she was in my care--and she hadn't even started to walk yet. But I left her somewhere I thought to be safe for a few minutes and returned to find her gone.
This is a long story I won't take up space in your comment section telling, but it still makes me angry to this very day--yet, I'm thankful for the outcome with that being that Michelle was safe, though it could have been so much different.
As you might have read or heard (as her story made national news, I believe) we had a precious ten year old girl in Southern Indiana who went to run an errand (buy some toilet paper at the local Dollar General) and was never seen alive again.
If you had that day to live over again, I know that there are things you would do differently--but that's the 20/20 hindsight that can see your son and daughter heading in the direction of the swimming pool instead of in to watch cartoons as you thought they had.
All you really need to realize now is that, for 2 1/2 years, you gave Emily Grace the joy of living in a loving, happy household and did everything you could have (without either having the ability to see into the future or else keeping her attached to you with a pair of handcuffs) to keep her safe.
Love & Prayers!
AJ :o)
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Mar 01 '05
6:15 am PST
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My tears are streaming (Reply to this comment)
by mike.holmes
It's hard to write about real life tragedy. Both you and your husband have done so with incredible grace and style. You make me realize even more how lucky I am to have two children alive and well. You do to, but I know the pain of losing Emily will never leave you. I thank you for your beautiful words and pray that you continue to be full of grace.
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Feb 23 '05
10:46 am PST
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Oh Amy! (Reply to this comment)
by ruby950
I finally set aside the time and gathered the courage to read your story. I can only imagine, but not pretend to feel your pain. My own mother lost three children in a fire.....she was home too.
Bless Emily Grace's little heart and bless you and Andrew's, too. You now have your own private little angel.
From my heart,
Deborah~
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Jan 08 '05
9:52 pm PST
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My prayers........ (Reply to this comment)
by Mimi369
go out to you and your family. My hope is that you are somehow coping better with this tregedy. The loss of a child is most devastating, but if it's any consolation, God needed your angel back with him.
God bless,
mimi
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Sep 17 '04
8:22 pm PDT
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My condolences to you and yours... (Reply to this comment)
by jlava73
I sobbed as I read your essay! May God Bless and keep you and your family!
With Love,
Jenn
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Aug 23 '04
8:12 pm PDT
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What an amazingly sad story... (Reply to this comment)
by bonnieleigh
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have shared your story with everyone who will listen - for the therapeutic value to YOU, and also so that others may know that this happens to GOOD, careful parents too, not just some careless parent in the movies. You are brave to share. God bless.
bonnieleigh
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Jul 08 '04
3:50 pm PDT
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What an amazingly sad story... (Reply to this comment)
by bonnieleigh
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have shared your story with everyone who will listen - for the therapeutic value to YOU, and also so that others may know that this happens to GOOD, careful parents too, not just some careless parent in the movies. You are brave to share. God bless.
bonnieleigh
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Jul 08 '04
3:49 pm PDT
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I'm choking back the tears... (Reply to this comment)
by artemisadorned
This is a parent's worst nightmare. I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. We lost out on a house (out bid) when my daughter was just 4 yrs. old. I believe it was an act of God that this happened. She was drawn to the pool like a little fish.
My heart goes out to you. Thank for sharing your sad story with us. May God hold all of you in his arms.
Linda
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Jun 09 '04
12:39 pm PDT
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I am so very sorry for your loss. (Reply to this comment)
by telynor
I wish I could give you some sort of comfort. You are very brave to share this with us, and may god grant you some form of peace in your sorrow. Your daughter was very lucky to have known you. -- Telynor
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Jun 02 '04
7:51 pm PDT
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@[xxxx]§:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::> (Reply to this comment)
by flamepillar
It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage to write this. I applaud you. Sometimes we can't explain things and sometimes it's okay. The best we can hope for is to draw some greater strength from the tragedies so that we might better savor the occasional joys.
Take care & God bless~
TIM
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Jun 01 '04
5:20 am PDT
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Mrs. Tomato Babe (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Please forgive me. I know that this has been here for awhile but I have been unable to read it. Hopefully, your husband has explained to you the difficulties I am going through.
When Mr. T. described Emily to me, it was one of the most beautiful things in the world. There were no tears. It was the words of a father, full of love and pride about his daughter and the significant impact she had in such a short period of time.
I told him that day that it was imperative for him (and you), to write this story. It's MORE than just a story about the tragic death of a child. I can feel it in my bones :).
A part of me seemed to detach and watch the scene unfolding from some remote location.
Been there. It's bizarre isn't it? The things our minds do in order to cope. Autopilot is one of the greatest gifts that a human being can have. Or at least, I am thankful for it.
I look forward to seeing more of these from you and Mr. T.
Kristina :)
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May 31 '04
4:52 am PDT
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Re: My heart goes out to you.... (Reply to this comment)
by pearannoyed
Just know that God is taking good care of her.
One of the most comforting things I read in the wake of our tragedy came from a book about a similar circumstance (don't remember what it was now). It said, "you may have taken your eyes off him, but God never did." I truly believe that in spite of our loss and the pain we have suffered, that God is a part of everything that happens to us. And I know that one day, I will see my angel again.
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May 25 '04
9:16 am PDT
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My heart goes out to you.... (Reply to this comment)
by kelly60
I know what you mean about wanting to go to them. I felt the same way after my two angels were killed in our house fire.
http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-7250-DECD63E-396D1F22-prod3
My heart goes out to you and your family. Just know that God is taking good care of her. (((Hugs)))
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May 24 '04
11:59 am PDT
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At a Loss for Words (Reply to this comment)
by sbroadwell
I'm sitting here wanting to add a word of comfort and finding words inadequate. Thanks for sharing this special story with us.
Sue B
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May 21 '04
6:59 pm PDT
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Writing this must have taken a lot of courage... (Reply to this comment)
by 4paws
I'm totally speechless. I know noone can ever know your grief if they have not experienced the same. I'm not foolish enough to think I can. But, it certainly makes one take a few moments to count our blessings and to offer you comfort and prayers. I'm sure the pain will never be gone. That much I learned from my Grandmother who lost a 2 year old and talked about him until her own death.
God bless you and those you love.
Ginger
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May 20 '04
9:01 pm PDT
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(((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))) (Reply to this comment)
by jnbmoore
No words here. Just hugs.
I'm glad you can share with others. This reaching out will help people -- and you
Bridgette
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May 20 '04
11:28 am PDT
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What a beautiful and powerful piece of writing! (Reply to this comment)
by nagels
I am so sorry for your loss and hope that somehow the writing of this epinion has helped you cope on some level.
spuds
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May 20 '04
8:47 am PDT
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Re: Re: hey there... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
..
hey there again...
you said...
"That was actually by design. I didn't want to come and just ride his
coattails. . . .So now I'm 'out'."
Don't worry.
Most of us won't hold it against you.
... :smiliemoment: ...
...tom...
"The faults of husbands are often caused by the excess virtues of their wives."
—Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
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May 20 '04
12:05 am PDT
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Thank you... (Reply to this comment)
by plorentz
Amy,
Thanks for having the courage to share your experience with this bunch of faceless (and potentially judgmental) strangers. I can't imagine having to make the kinds of choices you and Andrew had to make; and I admire you both for your strength and faith.
And I'm glad you started posting here - it's good to have you around.
-Paul
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May 19 '04
12:50 pm PDT
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Your review (Reply to this comment)
by laweiler1
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
LAW
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May 19 '04
10:42 am PDT
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Re: hey there... (Reply to this comment)
by pearannoyed
I had seen your user-name around but had not realized that you were 'connected' to b-t.
That was actually by design. I didn't want to come and just ride his coattails. But I figured, if I'm going to publish this essay, people are going to make the connection. So now I'm 'out'.
Also, I think my writing style is different enough--and mostly on different topics--that we won't get in each others' way.
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May 19 '04
9:05 am PDT
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hey there... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
..
I had seen your user-name around but had not realized that you were
'connected' to b-t.
Such a beautiful piece of writing. As lambchops/Shelly said "almost
surreal."
I think these words must reflect the beauty that was (is?) Emily and
surely must reflect equally the pain that will never leave your family.
God bless you and yours.
...tom...
"Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted."
—Garrison Keillor
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May 19 '04
8:40 am PDT
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Words fail me... (Reply to this comment)
by laryan
I cannot profess to know how you feel. I can only offer you my deepest condolences. This is a nightmare no parent should know. And I'm so sorry it happened to your daughter.
~Lisa
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May 18 '04
11:17 am PDT
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You are brave.. (Reply to this comment)
by bodashe
...You are strong. I don't know if I could have the same. I hope that your story (and hopefully the book is a best seller when it is done) will save others from this worst loss that you have endured.
Warm thoughts,
Bowie
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May 18 '04
10:07 am PDT
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A beautiful, painful, almost... (Reply to this comment)
by lambchops
surreal (out of body?) tale. I do feel for both you and Andrew. No parent should ever have to experience such loss--be it abrupt or long in coming. In such tragic circumstances, we all look for people to blame. There is nobody, and that makes it all the more difficult. I know you cannot forget and it is near impossible to "move on" but I do wish for the best in your daily plight.
Beautiful.
Shelly.
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May 18 '04
8:46 am PDT
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No words can express my condolences (Reply to this comment)
by jo.com
on your loss. It is a parents worst nightmare and somehow you are living through it and surviving for the sake of your other two. My prayers are with you and hubby. Thank you for sharing your story with us. jo
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May 18 '04
5:16 am PDT
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It's because of your story (Reply to this comment)
by AliventiAsylum
when I first read it as told by Bob that we purchased the Pool Eye for our new pool. It detects as little as 10 pounds of displaced water with a loud, piercing alarm. If nothing else, try to take some comfort that the telling of your own story may save other children's lives.
Blessings,
Patti
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May 18 '04
4:00 am PDT
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My (Reply to this comment)
by theresaro
thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. There are no right words to say to you. This was a beautiful tribute to your little princess.
Teri
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May 18 '04
1:03 am PDT
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