Can’t believe it’s been a year already. I’m so sad for your loss, Dawg. Puppy Monster must be so proud of how you’ve survived. I’ll be sending supportive vibes your way ...

I can’t even begin to imagine....Im thinking of you and Puppy Monster......all day long.  Here is a virtual hug...................

Like others have said, there are no words good enough to explain just how much my heart, love, friendship, prayers and good thoughts are with you today and every day.

I am so sorry and am thinking of you on this anniversary. Mourning takes as long as it takes. Me, I don’t yet know when it ends.

Hugs and prayers. You’re in my thoughts.

I hope you have friends and family around you today.  Your “internets” are certainly holding hands with you as well

DJ was so lucky to have you here with him.

I first came about on your blog that day, and your right the support you received was so beautiful. There’s no doubt in my mind, that you’ll make it through this again with that support. Your truly blessed. Much love.

Dawg, may God bless you and your family and know that the little guy is waiting with him to greet you when you arive in heaven.

My heart goes out to you.

The marker is beautiful Dawg, just like DJ was. You already know how terribly sorry I am for you loss, but what you don’t know is that you are a remarkably strong person. I too believe that it would be hard every year after someone you love unconditionally passes on, but just like you said...it’s not impossible. You’ve proven that, because I used to think that it was impossible. From reading your words though, I understand now that although its extremely hard, it’s not impossible.

My thoughts are with you today Dawg, as they are EVERY day. Be strong.

Thank you for sharing this with us.  There are no words I can say to express how much my heart goes out to you.  But thank you, through your own grief you are able to still share with us this part of your life and that is truly amazing.  Thank you again.

I just don’t have words, other than to say that you’re in our thoughts and prayers.

Your words touched me a year ago and continue to do so today.  You’re in my thoughts.

OMG, Dawg!  You cannot go anywhere on the net without seeing a post for DJ.  I am sitting here crying, so moved by this outpouring of love and remembrance of your beautiful son.  NOT ONE OF US FORGOT!  Think about how many lives he has affected.  It’s like throwing a pebble into a pond.  The ripples are incredible.

I found you via Avitable one year ago.  I’ve been a lurker since “that day.” I won’t pretend to understand the pain you have felt for the past year.  I will never forget how I “connected” with you and this blog.  Your strength amazes me.

This is beautiful, and I’m just so sorry.  I want to say that the “time limit” stuff is just, IMO, 100% bogus.  You’re not on anyone’s timetable but your own.  Some people do seem to be able to “get over it” quicker than others, but some of us take longer.  I think that it takes what it takes, and the truth is it’s never “over,” but just eventually becomes easier to bear.

All my sympathies.

Every bit of my love goes out to you today.  There is nothing else I can say.

Beautiful stone,beautiful words, beautiful memories......I’m sending love and prayers your way. 

I have no words to take anything away or enlighten you.  I will not say it will get better or easier with time.  You are in my thoughts.  And still, a year later, I am deeply sorry for your loss. 

(Even if I do only comment twice a year.)

There are no sufficient words to offer you, just know that my thoughts/prayers are with you. 

It was one year ago this past month that I discovered the blogsphere where you were one of the first writers I found interesting enough to bookmark. I’ll never forget opening that post. Never.

You are loved.

I know my heart hurts just as much as it did when I heard the news one year ago, so I can only imagine how you feel.  No, actually I cannot imagine that...cannot fathom it. 

I am thinking of you and praying for you.  (((((HUGS))))))

Sending you prayers and love.

Thinking of you. The words wouldn’t do it justice.

I have two children around that age… I can not imagine how broken your heart must be.  I am so sorry for your loss.

Your son is beautiful.

It is through tears that I send you much love and strength.  I can’t imagine how you deal with this kind of emotion on a daily basis.  You are brave and amazing beyond anything I know.  So proud to ‘know’ you. 

Hi there:
Found you thru Miss Britt’s.There are no words to express this kind of loss or the empathy I feel for your family. I am so sorry and you obviously have many prayers going out to you and yours.....

I can’t imagine the pain.

You are in my thoughts.

Dawg, I have never commented here before, although I’ve read off and on over the last year.  I couldn’t leave without saying SOMETHING.  Even if… nothing that is said will take away the pain. 

The “experts” don’t know shit, don’t you think?

I don’t really “know” you and there’s not much I can say.  I guess… I just wanted to reach out somehow, someway.  To let you know that, I care, too.  Along with all of these other people. 

And… to tell you that, truthfully? Having lost my brother 3 years ago to a trash truck accident, uhm… the first year isn’t the hardest.  Not that it doesn’t hurt like hell, but I found that the 2nd year was the hardest so far.  I think the 3rd year it got a little better.  But it’s always there… a dull ache that can flare into intense pain at any moment.

The Angelversary? Is heartache.  The last couple of weeks building up to it have been even harder, at least for me.  And I’ve noticed it in my parents and my sister as well. 

I just want you to know how proud I am of you for getting up every morning, even when it would have been so much easier and more comfortable to roll over and pull the covers over your head… slipping back into sleep.

You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. 

Thank you for allowing us to remember him with you, and sharing your grief, your struggles, your thoughts. 

I wish I had something more to say… but nothing seems “right.”

Just know that you’re loved and your little boy will always be remembered.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I’ve been a lurker for a while, found my way over here awhile back from Fab’s place.  My heart broke for you that day and I’m so glad you had good support.  Whether it be from friends, family, coworkers or the blog community.

Even though I had no contact with you, I donated that fateful day last year.  I’ve seen some of your posts dedicated to DJ and my heart was saddened each time but glad you were continuing on with life.

I don’t believe that any length of time is designated for mourning.  I believe each individual will always mourn the loss of someone they love, especially a child.  Please do not listen to the “experts”, they obviously haven’t lost someone close to them.

The headstone is beautiful.

I just wanted to add my tears to all of those that have flowed for you and your son.  You are both in our thoughts today, tomorrow, and always.

I think that day was also the first time I understood a little more about “the blogosphere.” All bloggers are, to a certain extent, self-obsessed, but here we all left that behind to join our efforts in trying to make someone else know he wasn’t alone. And to let you know that the love you shared with your son inspired us, just like your life and your strength since that day continues to inspire us.

I know about you through Jane’s blog. There are no words to express how sorry I feel that you endured such a devastating loss. Although I don’t know you, please know that I want to express my sincere condolences to you. You sound like a really fine person. Unfortunately being a good person doesn’t grant us immunity to the unthinkable, but it does make the harsh world a bit easier. Blessings to you and your son. I wish there was more I could offer.

my heart goes out to you and your family for such a tragic loss. i lost my nephew to an accident when he was four years old-i can’t tell you that with each passing year the loss is more tolerable because its not. it’s just different. one day it’ll all make sense..until then the only thing you can do is live. 

big warm hugs going out to you...and your sons grave marker is beautiful.

My thoughts are with you. xo

The one year mourning allowance seems quite arbitrary to me, as it probably does to many people who have experienced a loss, particularly one of such great magnitude. 

”As the days continue to pass while I move forward through life I’ll always carry this loss with me, and I don’t know how anyone can expect otherwise.” They most certainly can’t, and I hope you never have to deal with someone who simple-mindedly believes this to be a realistic expectation of you, or who believes it’s their place to have expectations at all.

I have been praying for you since last year, the past several days especially, and will keep you in my prayers without consideration to any sort of time frame.  I hope someday the pain gets easier to bear and that the alarm clock battles replace more and more of the emotional ones.

I have no words in situations like this (and when I do, they never seem to be eloquent or poignant enough) but I want you to know that I hope you will, in time, be able to find some way to come to terms with the tragedy that struck you and your family (if that’s at all possible). 

I also know that a stranger’s sympathy & best wishes probably have no affect on your ability to do so but, at the same time, hope you understand that I still feel the need to let you know I care and that I, along with the rest of the blogosphere, are here to listen/read anytime you need to speak/write about it.

I am so so sorry for your loss.  I came over from Sybil’s and am leaving just so sad.  Dan’s walk is a brilliant thing to promote though and hopefully will help in a small way.  Take care.

Thank You for sharing DJ with us.  What a beautiful boy.  He is an Angel now, shining down upon you with his beautiful smile.  He would not want you to be sad.  One day you will be together again with Our Father in Heaven.  My prayers are with you and my hand is reaching out to yours if you should need it.  Warm Hugs to you DAWG.
Be Blessed,
Kimmie

I’ll NEVER forget the site of that cape on your site.  Gave me chills and still does, but is testament to the fact that he is always with you....always. 

You know, I felt so helpless over all of this and wanted to do so much more for you.  To know that I was able to help in some small way?  It makes my heart smile. 

NYC,Am here via my daughter’s site---Bug @anindiansummer.  Thank you for your kind words left for her.  I shall miss my salt and pepper team.  I Read your post and was able to glean some info as to what is in store for us.  Thank you seems so inadequate.
Love,
Momma Bug

I just happened upon your site.  I dealing with my own loss, and I want to thank you for sharing yours.  Take care, and stay strong.

Honestly, the second year was harder for me than the first year. I found it a lot harder to talk about what I lost, and even now with it being almost 4 years since I lost my sister, I still get emotional.

I did see a therapist, and mentioned the one year thing to her. She said it can take 3-5 years for a lot of people. I think the one year is just because people expect you to be happy again, you know what I mean?

I’ve never read you before, and just found your story at Miss Britt’s. My God. I can’t tell you the sorrow I feel in my heart for you and your family. I just don’t have the words. Just know there is someone, somewhere, that doesn’t know you that is heart broken over what happened and I wish I had known you at the time, cause I certainly would have helped out.

Touching post, Dawg.