tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post6655842013745243352..comments2024-02-14T11:00:03.180-05:00Comments on Tom McLaughlin: Long Time To PassTom McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07691546351143209227noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-79168043915282162822016-04-24T17:05:38.880-04:002016-04-24T17:05:38.880-04:00My prayers are with you- Grief does come in waves-...My prayers are with you- Grief does come in waves- Having lost my mother 20 years ago to Breast Cancer- I still find my self at times weak. Losing Alicia- By John Titus helped me a lot. Alicia Titus was murdered on 09/11/01 when United 175 hit the Twin Towers. She was a Flight Attendant. I do believe though, that "Death is not an end- rather an opportunity to fulfill a life of higher use".(Emanuel Swedenborg)<br /><br />Just want to also add- Thank-you from a former student.... I spent 20 years being miserable in Corporate America (Telecommunications)- but I am now following my heart and will have my teaching certification soon.... thank-you for being a Great Teacher! Katie Rienstra Pruiettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-88704949584029475612015-07-03T07:31:22.875-04:002015-07-03T07:31:22.875-04:00Thank you everyone for your kindness. My wife and ...Thank you everyone for your kindness. My wife and I are dealing, one day at a time.Tom McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691546351143209227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-63239797732046514322015-07-02T07:34:48.648-04:002015-07-02T07:34:48.648-04:00Now I understand the delay in your blog. Condolenc...Now I understand the delay in your blog. Condolences to you and your family. You are an amazing writer and have touched us all with your splendid views. God Bless you and yours!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11768764493813525696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-12220915533019882992015-07-01T14:43:58.514-04:002015-07-01T14:43:58.514-04:00I am saddened that you have joined the club of par...I am saddened that you have joined the club of parents whose children have died Tom. As you know my daughter, Katelyn, as well as my step son, Aaron, (whose deaths were 39 days apart) got me membership into that club. <br /><br />I must say that I never felt I 'lost' them ~ after all I did not misplace them. I know where they are. <br /><br />Blessings to you and your family!<br /><br />with love,<br />Leah Masonbalanceleahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770160823759711389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-34483843808678510392015-07-01T10:30:51.258-04:002015-07-01T10:30:51.258-04:00So sorry to hear, Tom. I've been there myself,...So sorry to hear, Tom. I've been there myself, if you remember.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08412465023573970344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-72439672854233829182015-07-01T07:41:17.301-04:002015-07-01T07:41:17.301-04:00My sincere condolences to you and your family....R...My sincere condolences to you and your family....Rose DecesereAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13752493003416116686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-68657239862097321362015-06-30T21:20:44.323-04:002015-06-30T21:20:44.323-04:00My brother died just before Christmas of an infect...My brother died just before Christmas of an infection that could have been handled but because of his stubborn attitude something he knew he could handle turned out that he couldn't. It was years ago but there is not a Christmas that goes by that I don't think of him. They get easier with God's help but our earthly cravings make it slower than I would have liked it.<br /><br />You have done a big first step in your column. God bless you and your family and you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-18501809621613043342015-06-30T18:41:29.115-04:002015-06-30T18:41:29.115-04:00This is a brave and heartbreaking column, Mr. McLa...This is a brave and heartbreaking column, Mr. McLaughlin. I hope you and all who were fortunate enough to call Ryan friend or family find peace. Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01343163377040116742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-48326819163041645462015-06-30T18:21:06.220-04:002015-06-30T18:21:06.220-04:00Very sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Your a...Very sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Your article about him was beautifully written.<br />Sincerely,<br />Lindy Largey SimondsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-15157340562351066472015-06-30T14:56:51.844-04:002015-06-30T14:56:51.844-04:00Thank you for sharing Tom. I had no idea. It tak...Thank you for sharing Tom. I had no idea. It takes so much courage to pour your heart out as only a wonderful writer can, especially during such loss. I so wish it had been a happy ending. Please know my thoughts and prayers will be with you that you may find comfort and a certain kind of peace in the days to come.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-30862149882599014652015-06-30T14:01:23.837-04:002015-06-30T14:01:23.837-04:00To Tom and your family,
Thank you for your coura...To Tom and your family, <br /><br />Thank you for your courage to share this story with us. I needed a good cry today, and a reminder to appreciate our mortality and limited time on earth. Your wife must be a strong women to give the eulogy as I'm sure that it was very hard to do. May you and your family find peace in condolence that Ryan is in a better place. <br /><br />God bless,<br />Steven Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14278729516271206208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-66896355810708808852015-06-30T13:13:49.415-04:002015-06-30T13:13:49.415-04:00Mr. McLaughlin, may I send you hope for days that ...Mr. McLaughlin, may I send you hope for days that will pass quickly, and your sorrow to diminish as time goes by. I cried when I read your article. prayers to you and your family. Charles and Elizabeth WiesemannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-56812739092111123682015-06-30T10:19:43.930-04:002015-06-30T10:19:43.930-04:00Mr. McLaughlin and family, I am so sorry to hear a...Mr. McLaughlin and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I remember having you as a History teacher at Molly Ockett and have followed your article as much as possible since middle school. I do remember Ryan, although he was at that time quite a bit younger. I do remember him positively though. I have children of my own, and while they are still very young, could never imagine what you and your family have gone through. God Bless. -Ian Valentine FA alumni 1997.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06348230316590662438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-399621994318568202015-06-30T09:56:10.693-04:002015-06-30T09:56:10.693-04:00Dear Tom,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Addict...Dear Tom, <br /><br />I'm so sorry for your loss. Addiction is a terrible thing - snuffing out the life of a promising young man and devastating your family and your community. <br /><br />There is no rhyme or reason for why some addicts are able to get clean and others aren't. It breaks my heart that your son wasn't able to stop. Sometimes people just can't - no matter how much they want to. <br /><br />Let your family and friends love you through this. And don't second guess. <br /><br /><br />Susan Bruce <br /><br />susanthehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960705109051557790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-62928230423953409932015-06-30T09:16:31.665-04:002015-06-30T09:16:31.665-04:00Dear McLaughlin family - We are sending our condol...Dear McLaughlin family - We are sending our condolences for the loss of your son, Ryan. Losing a child is every parents nightmare, a dream that many of us would not want to become reality. Addiction is a terrible disease and one that, as we know, is not easily treatable. I hope that you and your wife find comfort in knowing that you did all that you could have done for your son. We hope that your faith will help you through your pain and please know that all of us will keep you in our prayers. We wish you peace in your heart and soul and we hope that Ryan will be at peace as well. Sincerely - AnnaMarie, Tim, Ian and Verity CushmanHorseloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08731484582860945889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-86264220784085189152015-06-30T08:57:38.588-04:002015-06-30T08:57:38.588-04:00Dear Mr. McLaughlin (Liz Tinder called you that to...Dear Mr. McLaughlin (Liz Tinder called you that too- I don't think any of your former students could think of you any other way!) I am so sorry for what you are going through. May you find as much peace as there is to be found. - Christopher Scott ThompsonC.S. Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04400944511260010930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-6750743744649952342015-06-30T08:19:57.216-04:002015-06-30T08:19:57.216-04:00I dont know your pain but I did watch my father go...I dont know your pain but I did watch my father go through this pain. Most people never knew my brother too had a really bad drug problem. We truelly believe that is what lead to his suicide. The pain i feel while reading this can't be discribed. I am so very sorry for your pain. may you find peace knowing that his suffering and pain are now gone. The addiction issue is something many don't talk about. But is effects so many! Bless you for being able to write this!! My heart goes out to you all through this time of great heart ache. Please know you are a great dad and family.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03850001882029659428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-84379203024015306622015-06-30T07:08:50.216-04:002015-06-30T07:08:50.216-04:00Mr. McLaughlin, I'm so sorry for your loss. Ry...Mr. McLaughlin, I'm so sorry for your loss. Ryan was always a smiling, wonderful, funny person to be around in school, and while we didn't keep in touch, it's still heart wrenching to hear of his passing. Much love to your family.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Alicia Gillis nee BurbankAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-21214182985045438662015-06-30T04:48:53.502-04:002015-06-30T04:48:53.502-04:00I share your family's sorrow; We share the los...I share your family's sorrow; We share the loss of a son. My Andrew survived two double lung transplants before an unidentified cancer in the second set sent him home to God. We do our best to be thankful for the good times, and I think it's Gods way to let us stick most of the bad in a place where they rarely surface. I'm thankful for that. Norm Desjardinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-61657748903816663442015-06-30T02:02:44.554-04:002015-06-30T02:02:44.554-04:00I am sry for your loss. You were my history teach...I am sry for your loss. You were my history teacher. And I knew your daughter I did not not know your son, though. I think he was younger. High school was a long time ago. I can relate, I had a addiction myself I struggled for many years. All though I have been clean and sober for many years it still haunts me. And I am reminded everyday the importance, of my recovery, and my journey. I will pray for you and your family. I know this is hard, loosing a child. You will be in my prayers. And he is with God. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-5358072314850614082015-06-30T01:28:48.661-04:002015-06-30T01:28:48.661-04:00Dear Mr McLaughlin
I wish you the best with with y...Dear Mr McLaughlin<br />I wish you the best with with your grief i know how hard it is to see a loved one struggle even harder when they die i watched both my parents struggle and one lose... I wish you the best Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08892390160271641985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-41198431758393407492015-06-29T23:08:24.028-04:002015-06-29T23:08:24.028-04:00Thank you for sharing your story. May God bless yo...Thank you for sharing your story. May God bless you all. Your son was so lucky to have your unconditional love and support. <br />-Amy MayoAMayohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11626895947597920013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-66623268003722240352015-06-29T21:05:19.651-04:002015-06-29T21:05:19.651-04:00Thank you ,Tom, for telling your story. I know tha...Thank you ,Tom, for telling your story. I know that the meaning of our lives will be made clear to us someday. Our deepest sympathy for you and your family. <br />Karen BacchiocchiKaren Bacchiocchinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-78289372362017998092015-06-29T20:54:41.355-04:002015-06-29T20:54:41.355-04:00Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin,
I know I am old enough n...Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin,<br /><br />I know I am old enough now to be considered a peer, but since you are people who's kids I babysat, you will always be the "grownups" in my mind...<br /><br />My heart aches for you and your loss. I will be praying for you all as you adjust to this "new normal" as another writer and mom who lost a child calls it. May God's peace enfold and comfort you all.<br /><br />In God's Great Love,<br /><br />Susan<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20524196.post-75627972722395593752015-06-29T20:34:27.385-04:002015-06-29T20:34:27.385-04:00May your love and relationship with God and your f...May your love and relationship with God and your family help you through this difficult time! May God be with you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00443517195154097198noreply@blogger.com