C O M P A S S I O N

Richard -- October 06, 2006

Sorry to hear about Mary. I saw it in the gazette and opened my computer to send you a message and I read your email She was sick for a long time and is now in peace with no suffering. It sure is hard for those left behind. We will see you Monday and Tuesday Joyce and I send our condolunaces to you and your families

Joyce & Joe

Hi Richard -- October 7, 2006

We were deeply saddened to hear of Mary's passing. Really can't believe it. It must have been very hard for you to watch her going down hill all this time. Both of you will be in our prayers. Take care Richard. Our deepest sympathy.

Chuck and Mary Ann

Dear Richard -- October 8th., 2006

My deepest sympathies. Mary is a wonderful person, and now that her soul has gone on to the Lord, we will miss her, and you more than anyone I believe, perhaps apart from some of her family. I first knew her at Camp Manna up at Kinkora in the late 1970's and 1980's. I will remember Mary in my prayers and pray that you will continue to find your strength in the Lord as Mary did. God bless you,

Fr. Gilles

Richard -- October 9th., 2006

Lynda and I send our sincerest sympathy regarding Mary's passing. I know that the past few years have been very stressful for you when her treatment was not going as well as you had both hoped. I hope that you will find the strength to keep your life together in her absence.

Regards, Bob and Lynda

Dear Richard -- October 10, 2006

Just received your e-mail, I am so truly sorry Richard. It is a disease that takes so many good people much before their time. She was very fortunate that she had you because you certainly handled some battles with the system on her behalf. My thoughts & prayers are with you! If I can be of any help please let me know.

Sincerely,
Gloria

Hi Richard -- October 10, 2006

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Mary to be a very cheerful and friendly person, and hope that your fond memories of her ease the pain of this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Stephanie

Hi Richard -- October 10, 2006

I was reading the obits on Saturday and I saw Mary's name. I had to read it 4 times to believe what I was reading. I am so so sorry for your loss. You two were together a long time. I can't believe this. I had out of town guests all weekend so I was unable to come to the visitation. My apologies for that. The only consolation is that she is not suffering anymore, just those she left behind. My sincere condolences to you and Mary's family.

Fran

Hello Richard -- December 10th., 2006

She does see the kids from where she is. You cannot beat yourself up about what could have been done, because you cannot change the past BUT you can hold on to the wonderful times you shared together and know that you were always there through sickness and health, through good and bad forever. You did not fail anyone, you were there. You stuck up for her and went through everything with her, that is what counted.

Having children is not necessarily for everyone, I have the most beautiful daughters, that may sound snotty but I know I do, yet I constantly worry about everything, from whether I made the right choices to making sure they grow up properly. It is not an easy job even as a couple. I wouldn't change anything, but even what could happen to me, to Roger, to them is a constant worry, I am already tired of worrying and I have only just started.

Christmas is a time to be with family, you are not alone in your grieving and especially at this time of year, stay close to family.

I really hope that you have a pleasant Christmas and that 2007 brings you peace and contentment.

Annmarie, Roger, Adrianne and Tatiana

Hi Richard -- March 22nd., 2007

I'm so happy to hear that you haven't given up and are still pursuing your vision of providing wheelchairs to disabled children. I'm glad that you have found someone to help you through the government process.

Your website looks really great, and your tribute to Mary is very touching. I know she is very proud of what you are doing.

Please keep me posted on how things are going. I'll also look into potential resources to help you with your cause.

Take care,

Theresa

Hi Richard -- April 3rd., 2007
Thank you for your reply.
As I read your message below the shivers when trough me when I read the song title "Teddy Bear". I know this song very well, as I am a huge country music fan, and every time I listen to it I cry like a baby. I think you have a great idea here, and I really hope this takes off with positive outcome. I work closely with the President here, so I will see what we can do to support this cause.
Great Job Richard. Its so heart warming to see an individual start up something like this for a great cause and to bring people together to help support.
I will definitely buy a Teddy Bear! If you would like, bring one buy with the sheets, and I will give you the money for it.

Best Regards,
Lisa

Richard -- August 31st., 2007

I'm sure you have had a most difficult time and it will always be painful, but trust you have some great memories of Mary to keep you going. We aren't getting any younger so I guess that is why we keep hearing sad stories. I'm sure your Foundation will find its wings - but like everything else in this world, it takes time - one person at a time. Keep your chin up.

best rgds
Mike

Hey Richard -- September 25th, 2007

Thanks for the reply. What a beautiful thing that you did for you girlfriend'a memory. What was here name. Many her soul rest with God in peace, Amen!

Walter

Richard -- October 15th, 2007

My husband died after a long battle with colon cancer as well. He passed away at the age of 33 on December 1, 2006. It's only been a year for you and just under a year for me. It's a tough journey-so much more difficult than I ever expected. What keeps me going is my children (8 year old boy and 6 year old girl.) If it wasn't for them, I think I might spend my life in bed!

I'm glad you have found something to keep you going. What a beautiful tribute to Mary! You are blessed to have had her in your life. That's how I feel about my husband. We were married for 12 short years (sometimes they seemed long, but all of a sudden when he got sick, the time was too short!) and I am just very thankful that I had the privilege of being his life partner. He was a God-fearing man who walked very closely with the Lord. I have the peace of mind today of knowing that I will see him again in Heaven. It appears to me that you also have that assurance of seeing her again.

Whether our company orders the bears or not, I will purchase one for each of my children this year for Christmas. My kids, especially my son, are huge teddy bear fans! When I try to go through his toys to "weed" some out, he will absolutely not part with a single one! So, I know they will love it. Also, my Dad is a trucker, so they will appreciate it all the more.

I wish you all the best with this endeavor. (I will pray for its success, and that God will be glorified through it.) I believe that if Mary can see you from Heaven, she is surely smiling because you have honored her last wishes and you are helping children, which is something that was obviously very important to her. (Sorry, I don't intend to act like I knew her, but my heart has been opened up a bit more this morning because of your message.)

Thank you and God bless you!

Sincerely,
Denise

Hey Richard -- September 7th, 2009

I'm sorry to hear about your grief...I can someone imagine what's it's like to lose someone you love...on Ocotober 23rd, i'll be 10 years since I burried my 1st love, I know we didn't have years and years like you and Mary but to this day I believe he was my soul mate. Now he watches me from up above and gives me the strainght I need to do all that I'm doing...It may not be for clon cancer but hopefuly one day, with all this money we raise we'll find a cure for all these killer deseases....

Thanx...
Rach xoxo

Hi Richard, -- October 02, 2012

I know this is a really hard time for you. Memories of people you've loved are not sufficient at holidays, because, as I know you feel, you are filled with sadness over what you no longer have. But I'm going to ask you...do you not think that maybe you can start celebrating what you had? I'm your friend Richard, so I feel I have some right to say these things to you. We sat down and had lunch a while back and you talked about Mary. Every single thing you said about her, every time you said her name, you had a smile on your face. I could see you pulling memories from your head, from your heart and it was all good..really good. This is what it's about...what you had was so very special, so filled with love, so remarkable that God gave you the opportunity to love and be loved and that's why I say celebrate...you are blessed with wonderful memories.

You may not realize it but your friends and family care a great deal about you...

Helen