I appreciate honesty. It is refreshing and welcome. However, there are so many people in our lives right now that either say incredibly cruel and unintentionally painful things to us or are avoiding us all together. For now, the best approach is to acknowledge our loss of Jack and move on. Believe me there are no words that can fill this Grand Canyon of Grief and Loss.

I know the spot most of these people are in. You want to reach out, but what in the world can you say? And to some extent, you feel "survivor" guilt, your child is alive running through your house, my child is laying in a cold grave.

I know these feelings all to well, since I have a close friend, who's son Johnny lost his battle with HRHS two years ago. He and Jack were 10 days apart in age, played together and our paths were so similar. I ached for her each and every day after Johnny passed away but was struck mute~ what could I say to her? My words were so hollow. And to some extent, I worried frantically that I would be in that same spot one day.

And now I am.

So I welcome emails and texts. I may not respond immediately but read them right away and take comfort in them. Don't worry about offending me or disappearing. There is no road map for this journey. All's we can do is our best each and every day.