My Heartfelt thanks to everyone
Last week on my Virtual Assistant blog I wrote about the support VA communities provide through their forums. Ironic because only one day later our darling Miriam, aged 24, died whilst her father and I were away in the country. We rushed back home as soon as we heard.
I’m not yet ready to resurface to all the forums through LinkedIn, the VA communities and elsewhere. We have family with us from around the country and they’ll stay on for a few more days after Mirri’s funeral which will take place next Monday here in Melbourne, Australia. But I did want to let everyone know how much we’ve appreciated their prayers, emails of support, phone calls, cards, gifts and flowers from all over the world. You have overwhelmed me with your love and support and if ever I was in doubt of just how many people really connected and cared through internet forums and groups, I’m in doubt no longer.
Miriam was my stepdaughter and had been in my life since she was 5 years old. She was a big part of my life and she leaves a big hole. She was so vibrant, full of energy, lived life to the full, always pushed the limits - she was our tomboy who followed her dad around everywhere. She was his mate and they rode their mountain bikes together and did so much together. It will be a long time before the pain and ache begins to subside.
I’ve spent the past few days scanning over 100 photos of Miriam and putting together a movie clip set to a song her cousin wrote and performs on his CD, which was written for someone in his own life sometime ago.
If you’ve tried to get in touch with me, please bear with me for another week or so as I’ll be tending to my husband and our family but I will resurface and be back amongst you all again soon. Thank you all as you have shown me another reason why I love connecting with you all so much online. And knowing that I’m home already has been such a blessing - having a ‘job’ away from home would be very difficult.
Kathie,
What a GORGEOUS image of Miriam!
Wishing we could offer more, our thoughts and prayers are with Miriam, with you, and with your family, Kathie.
And, as always, if we can be of help, please let us know, at your convenience, ok?
Keep STRONG, Kathie!
Vincent Wright
Kathie,
Thank you for taking the time to give us all an update. There are so many people, all over the world, praying for your family. Like you, I have been amazed at the outpouring of love, support and prayers for you. You touch so many lives, in doing so, you leave a bit of magic dust on everyone you connect to. You are a blessing to us all!
Please know that I haven’t stopped praying for you since I heard about Miriam. Such a sad situation and very hard to understand why it came about. I’m only sure about one thing, your faith will get you through this.
Blessings,
Teri
Kathie:
There really are no words…. my heartfelt condolences on your loss.
I’m here if you need anything on this side of the pond.
Andrea
Kathie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m sure you and yours will ensure Miriam’s memory lives on forever.
We’re thinking of you & wishing you have all the time you need to grieve.
Teresa
Kathie,
What a beautiful eulogy to your even more beautiful Miriam. Thank you for taking the time to share with your virtual colleagues during this extremely difficult time.
May your family continue to be strong in love and peace.
Warmest regards and prayers,
Gretchen H Walden
Kathie,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. We’re praying for your peace, comfort and acceptance as your hearts heal through this devastating loss.
Virtually yours,
Anna Baron
You will remain in our prayers Kathie as you travel this journey - know that you fellow VA’s are here and ready to give our time, our love and our support.
My love to your family,
Jill Chongva
Hi Kathie,
My condolences to you and your family.
Peace and Blessings to you,
Electra
Kathie,
My heart, prayers and deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. I will continue to pray that you will have peace, comfort, and strength during this difficult time.
Continue to keep yourself and your husband wrapped in the love of your family and friends that surround you.
Thank you for updating your virtual family.
Blessings,
Sheila York
Kathie,
As someone said, it’s hard to find words to express such sorrow for the loss of your precious Miriam.
I simply want to express my most sincere condolences to your and your family. May God offer you solace and help you heal.
Caring thoughts and prayers,
Gale Gallagher
Kathie,
My prayers are with you and your family.
Love to you.
Sheila Edens
You remain in my prayers, as does your entire family. Your Miriam is just beautiful. I am very glad you have the support of loved ones at this difficult time.
My thoughts are with you and your family. And please
know that we are all here to help in any way we can.
Warmly,
Lisa Wells
Kathie,
She is a beauty!! Your family is still in our thoughts!
Dear Kathy,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May you all find peace and comfort through all of the prayers being sent from all over the world.
Warmly,
Jamie DeChambeau
Kathie,
Your grace and eloquence shines bright when writing about Miriam and I have no doubt her arms are somehow wrapped around you at this very moment. I can only imagine the heartache you and your family are enduring and pray that you will find peace and comfort soon. My sincere sympathies.
Kathy Fey
Kathie,
My continued thoughts and prayers go out to you and your husband during this difficult time!
Kathie,
What a beautiful Angel that sits on your shoulders! She will be with you always.
My warmest thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Stacy Layne Bergsma
Kathie,
My prayer for you and your husband is that the peace that passes all understanding will flood your hearts and minds, that you’ll find refuge in the shadow of His wings, and that He will sustain you in the days, weeks and months ahead. I know the pain; I’ve walked the same path.
Love,
Joan
Psalm 145:14
Kathie,
My heart breaks for you and your family. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Sounds like you have the support of a wonderful family and I hope that it gives you comfort and peace.
Kathie,
Please know that you and your family are in my heart and in my prayers.
Jan Wlodarski
Kathie -
I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you and your family. Know that you’re in my thoughts and prayers as it is always hardest on those of us left behind.
Know that Miriam is in a better place as she watches over all of you. She will be the first shining face to welcome you when the time comes for you to join with her again.
God bless and keep you.
Kathie,
You, your husband and your daughters are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kate Sanner
Kathie,
I am praying that God continues to be the strength for you and your family, and that you can find peace.
Take comfort in John 5:24,
“…He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.’
She is now truly alive and has more peace and happiness than any of us could experience here on Earth.
God bless,
Patty
Kathie,
My prayers are with you and your family.
Joe
Hi Kathie
Thank you so much for taking the time during this most difficult period to share this post. Take all the time you need for your family and know that your virtual family are always here for you too.
Miriam will be watching over you all and enfolding you in her love as you have always done with her. My thoughts are with you all.
Sue
xx
Dear Kathie
Like so many others here, I have kept you and Graham and all the girls in my thoughts and prayers this last week. Although I don’t think I’ve met Miriam personally, I saw a picture of her and her father on one of your blogs a couple of years ago, on their bikes during one of their ‘bush’ rides together.
I also have two stepdaughters who lived with us since they were five and eight years old until they left home several years ago (now 31 and 34). I can’t imagine how we could ever fill the hole they would leave - but our faith in God, His Word, His strength, and the prayers of friends and family would help to heal over time.
I will continue to keep you and Graham and your family in my thoughts and prayers over the weeks and months to come.
God bless
Wendy
xxoo
Hi Kathie,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Miriam. It’s clear that you and your family are very loving and supportive of each other, which I’m sure will help you through this difficult time. I know it’s of little comfort, but from the way you write about Miriam it sounds as though she crammed more adventure and spirit into her 24 years than some people do in an entire lifetime, and didn’t waste her gift of life. I wish peace for you and your family.
With warmest regards,
Julie
Kathie
So very sorry to hear about Miriam. As always, my prayers are with you and your family. God bless you.
Hi Kathie,
Please know that you and your family will be in my prayers daily. My wish for you and yours is that God gives you the strength to get through this terrible time.
Peace and blessings.
Kathy Zengolewicz
Thank you for your Courage, Kathie, to share so eloquently during this time of transition. You give each of us hope and bring out our natural compassion — something I need to be in touch with more.
Kathie:
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
May you find peace through your faith.
Kathie
In my thoughts and prayers. You have always been so supportive of everyone else in their times of trouble. No wonder you have such support.
I love your idea with the photos and song. A great way to honor her life.
You are in our prayers. The photos and song are a wonderful tribute to your daughter.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
-Becki and Dale
Katie,
You and your family are in my prayers.
Wishing you peace and comfort.
Iris