So sorry to hear about your loss! Also the phrase "friend . . . kids . . . boys" is heart-wrenching. So much sadness, so difficult. Many, many hugs. Much, much sympathy for all those sorrowing.

I am so sorry, Kathy. Your friend's family and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.

so sorry about the loss of your friend. i lost my dad xmas eve several years ago,though not tragically, still a loss .an emptiness always follows me around this time of year. however, happy memories will always be there and they help with my coping as they will with yours. children are very resilient and will get through this with faith and the support of people like you and your family. i will remember you all in my xmas prayers.

I so sorry to hear about your loss, take care of you and yours as best as you can.

Dear Kathy,
So strange, I was thinking about you today, thinking that I haven't seen your cheerful tweets etc and I thought something was wrong. I'm so sorry for you and your family and of course your friend's family. I will keep you all close in my thoughts and prayers.
Rhonda

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your son's friend's family and yours are in my prayers.

Sad.
No worries about blogging -- you go do what you need to do.

So sad, Kathy. I read the newspaper article, and it is very apparent that this man touched a great many lives. I didn't even know him, of course, but I had to smile at the description of your friend. How blessed you all were to have known him.

I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your dear friend.
And my all means, find a guest blogger or otherwise take your time!!!

I meant "by all means",

Kathy,
I am so sad for your loss. I wish you, Steve, and your boys peace in your hearts; and hope that the special memories you have of your friend comfort you as you journey through this difficult time.


Traci Frederick

I'm so sorry for your and your friends' loss. Sending hugs and thoughts of support.

Oh, Kathy. You, your family, and Sarah, JP, and Peyton are in my heart today. Take care of you and yours, and if there is anything, ANYTHING I can do for you, please let me know. --Sandi Wiseheart

Kathy - I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's death - I read the story and it brought tears to my eyes. There are some things that are just so unfair and unfathomable. Why? Why? It's just awful.

I am so very sorry to hear about this. There is never a good time, but times of otherwise joy throw it into such stark contrast. What a tragedy. I will be praying for both your and their family.

so, so sad. i am sorry for your loss. my thoughts are with you and your friend's family.

Not sure why the problem with the enabled cookies. google "Jamie Mullins Amherst MA" and hopefully you get the article.

Daily Hampshire Gazette requires a subscription to access online content. I haven't been able to find anything on Masslive about it...

So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers. Hugs to all of you....

I lost my father suddenly when I was 14 and he was 40. I'm 51 now and it is no less a tragedy, though we have learned to live without him by now. I still talk of him almost every day. He was a big part of my learning who I was. I hope the family finds a way to keep remembering and talking about their own beloved.

Mourning comes in waves. They can not be scheduled. You hear a song and you lose it, and that's how it goes. You can't "get it together" on a schedule (I have a friend who was given 3 days off for her 12 yr old son's death... this society is just without a clue).

Good for you to give yourself permission and time to absorb the bigness of this. And remember, any time you cry or hurt, it is a tribute to the quality of the relationship you had with your friend. I tell my Goddaughter that when I go, I hope she cries a lot. Not that I wish anyone pain, but I wish to have impacted her so much that losing me will not go unnoticed.

And your own beliefs and experience will differ from mine. I've lost two people suddenly, and young. Been there. Different but the same. Be gentle with yourself...

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss.

for those who want to know more of the story: http://tinyurl.com/y9oa9ys

I am praying for all concerned. We can wait for other news of yarn and the like. Be well.

I have 3 browsers and all give me a "enable cookies" error message when I go to that page. Even though I've enabled. Sigh.

Thanks for sharing that link ReneeRico - I hadn't read that and it's right on the mark.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, Kathy. I'm so sorry to hear about such a tragic loss. My thoughts and love to you and Steve, to your boys, and to your friends.

Thanks Kim. It's been so hard.

So sorry to hear of your loss. ((hugs))

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Steve and the family of your dear friend.

Hugs.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Steve, and the family of your friend.

Hugs1

Losing someone around the holidays can be so very difficult. One of my high school students lost his Dad last week and wasn't even able to go to his funeral. He tried to put on a good front, but he broke down and cried when one of the students handed him a sympathy card. His parents divorced 4 years ago and his Dad was now living in Florida. I could feel his pain. As your own children are still young, they will definitely need more of your love and attention. I am sure that eveyone will understand. Please extend my sympathies to your friend's family.
Rosemarie

I'm so sorry Kathy, sending you hugs

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Sending thoughts and hugs.

Oh, Kathy. I'm so sorry. What a horrible thing for you all to be going through (especially at this time of year). You're right. There are no words. Just my sincerest condolences.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all.

So sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you all and your friend and her family.

My sympathies for your loss. You are all in my thoughts.

hugs