Comments on: Remembering Jantsen: Ten Years Later

By: Shawn Mayes

Shawn Mayes — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:00:31 +0000

Mike:

Thank you so much for sharing this story. I had some dear friends lose their 12 y/o son in Feb of this year to MRSA pneumonia. It happened over the period of about 8 days. It was so painful, still is. I continue to watch and walk with them through this horrible time of pain and recovery. Reading of the things that Pam and Randy went through reminds me of what they are in the middle of right now. All of the firsts with 2 boys instead of three boys.

Thanks for sharing.

By: Laura Beall

Laura Beall — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:13:36 +0000

I remember very vividly that day ten years ago. At Green Valley Bible Camp during the summer, I received the shocking news. Jantsen and I were never close, but he was an unforgettable part of our youth group at North Street. His contagious smile and laugh have encouraged me throughout the years, even since his passing, and his legacy for me is one of hope, one of being able to embrace each day with joy and excitement. Jantsen saw the best in everyone, saw the best in life, and with the thought of him in mind, I am able to do the same.
My prayers are with you, his family, during what I know is a painful anniversary, but my heart thanks you for having been willing to share him with the rest of us. I know Jantsen would be amazingly excited about what his life has encouraged all of us to do and to be!

By: Royce Ogle

Royce Ogle — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:48:01 +0000

As one acquainted with grief (wife, both parents, scores of others…)I can say this is text book grief recovery for a follower of Jesus.

Faith does not remove the pain, it rather sustains us in the midst of it.

I will share this with my Grief Share group.

Royce

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:57:17 +0000

I think after you have been in that valley, life as you knew it changes. When I met Steve, I was still a lot in the valley after losing my husband two years before. I didn’t know how to explain things to him, but I tried. He smiled and said, Terry Edward was my brother in Christ. Someday I will met him and rejoice in telling him how I took care of you, your kids and our grandkids. It will be great. I sighed and said thank you. He took my hand and we prayed. And I really was okay.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:28:11 +0000

Reading your brother’s powerful and affirming words brings back the acute pain of my brother terrible loss – his son at barely 13 years of age.
Randy reminds us that yes, we will remember but that memory comes with God’s gift of purpose. I’m so thankful we can’t forget!

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:00:08 +0000

This is powerful. Thanks for posting it, and for reminding all of us that it’s possible to grieve with hope.

By: qb

qb — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:45:00 +0000

*taking sandals off*

By: Warren Langland

Warren Langland — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:26:55 +0000

Today for some is just another day. But today for me is a day like no other and will always be. I don’t know of another day that changed this life of mine and so many others. It is also a day that ended and it was apparent that all was lost, but God has other plans for those that listen and who are faithful. Yes lives were forever changed but so many like Van and that precious Tatum, Mark, Marcus, Richard, children in China, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Ghana the lives are now countless after that day, especially for this fifty year old man. My life and those of my family have been blessed by knowing Randy and Pam and Mike and Diane. They all have a special place in my heart.

By: annie

annie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:59:43 +0000

I remember when you posted this at the 7 yr. mark, & how even more precious it is at the 10 yr. date. Thank you for this & letting those who don’t FB, see Pam’s note.

By: Monnie

Monnie — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:38:37 +0000

Mike,

I remember when Jantzen died thinking that this was too much…Megan and now Jantzen. Pam’s and Randy’s words of grief and hope give all of us permission to grieve and hope. They make the valley a place of less fear, still not a place I want to go to, but I can face it with less fear.

Thanks for sharing life with us.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:33:19 +0000

Jennie – Thanks so much for dropping this note. I’m so very, very sorry. This isn’t the place for much more (I’ll drop an email), but there is, indeed, hope. Time will help. But the journey is arduous. You will not walk alone. Mike

By: Jennie Kruse

Jennie Kruse — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:23:46 +0000

Mike, I attended church with you at Hillcrest and graduated the same year from Neosho High. I have followed your family’s great losses over the years and my heart has ached for the loss of your daughter and Randy’s son although I never met them. I never wanted to imagine what it felt like to lose a child, however, just a few short months ago I lost my oldest son suddenly. As I begin this journey, I draw great comfort from the messages of strength and healing you impart in your blog. Thank you for sharing your journey so others can learn along the way.

By: Leah Holamon

Leah Holamon — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:19:36 +0000

Thank you for sharing this. I am working on some grief stuff right now and even though I am not there yet it gives me hope.

By: Jim Trietsch

Jim Trietsch — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:16:11 +0000

I vividly remember that day. We were on the high school mission trip in Monterrey, Mexico with Matt and Jenna. David Lang ministered to them as he told them what happened.

By: Wes Woodell

Wes Woodell — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:45:49 +0000

Powerful. Thanks for posting.