Corinne

Hi Everyone! I know it has been a while since I have posted. I have been so busy with working and raising the girls and finishing keeping John's family away from the girls. Those of you who know me and the story of John's death will know what I am talking about. I know that I have said that I felt like they thought that I had something to do with John being missing. Well, they took me to court to try and get visitation with the girls. During the hearing it came out that they thought I had something to do with murdering John even though the autopsy proved that he died of hypothermia. John's father also said that he always hated me. They also said that they did not think that I told the girls that their father was dead. It was a very draining and a horrible experience, but thank God the judge was a former D.A. and head of a child abuse unit and she saw right through everything. The outcome was they will have no visitation and the judge told them that they all really need to get into therapy. She actually had guards escort myself, my attorney, and my family out of the court house because she felt that something might happen. I have told you this because I want everyone who is relatively new to loss to understand that if you have not finished grieving and finding who you are you can get involved in a relationship that is not good. (I am not in any way speaking of Wendy's and Derek's relationship because they are two awesome people who have been through it all and I believe that they do belong together, nor am I speaking of Williams new relationship). I just wanted to bring this up with all the dating and relationship talk because sometimes we just so want to be in love again and don't think it through and then we find ourselves in the wrong situation. I know this because I met John right after I lost my Jimmy "my true love" and I just so wanted to feel what I felt with Jimmy that I jumped right into the relationship and here I am 20 months later finally ending the nightmare that relationship has caused me. I did end up with two absolutely beautiful girls from the relationship though and they are what keep me going and I now feel I can go on with a new life. I am not saying this so that people do not date again I am just letting you know to be careful and think everything through first because you are all wonderful, caring special friends that I do not want to see hurt. I love you and care about y'all (is that the correct spelling Derek and Wendy LOL), Corinne

Wendy and Derek, As you already know I am soooo happy for both of you. You do give the rest of us hope that we can again find love and happiness. I wish both of you a long life together filled with love and happiness. Kath, I also have children. My 9 year old has asked me not to find someone and my 8 year old has not really said anything about it. I am just trusting that when or if I find someone that I will be able to help them understand that this person will not replace their Daddy. William, I am sooo happy for you that you have found someone. You too deserve to be happy. I wish you and Denise all the best. Love, Corinne

Teny my far away friend, Please know that I am keeping you and your mother in my thoughts and prayers. You are a stronger person than you think and you will get through this with a little help from your friends! Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Karen, You have made it another year. You are such a special person who we can all look to for strength and the knowledge that we too can go on. Here is a big hug for you ((((((HUG)))))). Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers always. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Kay, My thoughts and prayers are with you as you pass another milestone in this journey called grief. Hold on to the knowledge that you will once again be reunited with your George one day. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

singledad2, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! You have proven what a strong person you are and a truly loving Dad to fight like you did after such a devastating loss. I am sure your wife had a hand in making sure the judge made the right decision. As you said now you and your children can begin the grieving and healing process. Keep up the good work! Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Hey Derek, I know it is hard to leave your son and there are supposed to be two of you raising him, just as there are supposed to be two of us raising my daughters, unfortunately for us that is not the case. I am having the same feelings as you because my mom wants to take the girls up to her house for a week this summer. I have never been away from them longer than overnight and Kerri just turned 9. I am trying to look at it as break for all of us. I have heard people say that it is good to get away from each other for a little while, but that does not ease the stress of being away from them and not being able to be with them at a moments notice. I am going to let them go there and I hope that it really does help strengthen our relationship, but I am sure that I will miss them and worry about them the whole time. I don't know if this helps, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in this. As for feeling like you have not dealt with your loss of Karen, that is not true, I believe you have dealt with it and will continue to deal with it. You will always have times that you miss her terribly and need to cry and that is OK. It only means that you deeply and truly loved her and always will. Hugs & prayers, Corinne Have a safe trip!

Dusky, I have read your book and while I was reading it I was wishing that I would have had it 11 years ago when I lost my Jimmy or even last year when the girls and I lost their Dad. You offer so so many awesome suggestions as ways to truly remember our loved ones. Thank you so much for writing the book and letting us know about it. ((((BIG HUG)))) Wendy, My good friend if you have not read Dusky's book, you should, it really puts a lot of things in a perspective that is really helpful in dealing with loss. Also, I do not think having Steve's things around is holding you back, it is keeping his memory alive. When the time comes (and only you will know) you will sort through his things and keep the most important and special things and let the rest go. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

DoubleJo, I am so glad to hear that your results came back negative and you are good for another year! Hugs & prayers, Corinne

DoubleJo, I am sorry to hear about your news. It is so unfair sometimes how government can say that because you were only "married on paper" one month you are not entitled to any benefits. Please know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers concerning your health. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Kay, I am so so sorry to hear what your husband has done to you. You are such a sweet, kind and caring person. You certainly do not deserve or need to be going through yet another crisis. Please know that I too am here for you and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Big Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Gail, Congratulations on your new grandson!!! It is like a little part of Bruce has been returned to you. Best wishes to you and your family! Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Kayc, I am so so sorry for the loss of your friend Jim. Please know that I will keep you and Virgie in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Kayc, I am so sorry to hear all you, your family and your friends are going through. My heart goes out to all of you and I will keep you all in my prayers. You are such a good person and your friend is very lucky to have you at this difficult time. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Wendy my good friend, As you know I have not been posting because I am now back to work full time and trying to keep up with my girls, but I have been reading the posts and trying to keep up as much as possible. I know just how you feel. Here it is another long holiday weekend. I have no plans for the weekend either, it will just be me and the girls. My girls are my whole life right now, but I so miss having adult interaction. At 45 you can only discuss so much about which new "icarly", "Spongebob", or "Hannah Montana" show is coming on. I so miss the fishing trips and long walks in the woods just to get away from everything. Oh well, now I am just sounding sorry for myself. I need to be thankful for what I do have, two beautiful happy and healthy little girls. I really just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in your feelings and as always I am here for you. Love and Hugs, Corinne

Karen my friend, I have not been posting too much lately, been dealing with a lot. I saw your post and just had to let you know that I am so sorry you are going through this again. I will be keeping you and Dan in my thoughts and prayers as always. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Dusky, The website you have created is so beautiful! It is a true testament of your love for Jack and what a wonderful person he was and still is in the hearts and minds of those that love him. I have ordered my copy of the book and cannot wait to receive it. Thank you so much for sharing yours and Jack's life with us. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Kim, You are in my thoughts and prayers today. We are here for you. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Suzanne, I like the way you think. Hey Marlene, you want us to come down and take care of it for you, I have seen "Gone in 60 Seconds" several times and I am sure if we asked her Wendy would join in. Just another thought. Hugs, Corinne

Marlene, It is always your choice and your choice alone as to when you give something up of your loved ones. Some people need to hold on to things longer than others and some people can let material things go. Personally (and I know that I am probably the exception), I got rid of most of Jimmy's(my husband who passed away in 1996) and John's right away. It was very hard for me to look at them and I felt they were only material things that other people could really use, I only kept a few very important meaningful things, but that is me. It is always up to you as to what you do, you and only you will know when it is right. If it bothers you too much explain your feelings to your bil and maybe out of the kindness of his heart he will bring the car back until you are ready to let it go. Hugs, Corinne

OMG Marlene, What they did to you is not only horrible, but also illegal! From what you have said about the car, I am sure that the title was only in Jack's name. As his wife when he passed it became your property, in saying that, what they did is actually stole the car from you. Did they take the title? I am sorry for this but you will need to act on it right away if you are up to it. I am sure that you would eventually get rid of the car, but it is your choice. You decide when you are ready, you decide if you want to just give it to them and you decide if you need the money and want to sell it to them or someone else. I am so so sorry you have to go through this, some families are just heartless. When John died, his family showed up at my daughters birthday with lists on John's things that they wanted. Please know that we are here for you for any advice that you need and for support. (((HUGS))) & prayers, Corinne

William, Wendy & Karen, You guys are the best!! I don't know what I would do without you to make me laugh. By the way I have some Italian to add to the mix. My Jimmy was half Irish and half Italian so I know what a force that combination can be. Thanks again for your support. Hugs & prayers, Corinne

William, Personally I would like to stay home and draw and paint but there is no health insurance in doing that so, I am looking for work in an office. It is hard because I cannot and will not work evenings or weekends because of my girls. So I am just looking and believing that I will find the right job when the time is right. Hugs, Corinne

William, Thanks for your support. If they would continue to bother me I would get a restraining order. As for sending the boys, I would just give Wendy a call and she and I will go take care of them.LOL Thanks for the laugh, I needed it and miss your sense of humor! Hugs & prayers, Corinne

Teny, I am sorry I have not replied sooner. I too am feeling a bit down these days and have not posted much, but I am here reading. I keep everyone here in my thoughts and prayers and wish brighter days for all of us. Hugs & prayers, Corinne