Comments on: Sometimes You’ve Just Got To Retreat

By: Jed Astin

Jed Astin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:52:54 +0000

Rachel,
Wow! I am…. so sad. I spent the last two years in Montana and moved back to SLC recently. I felt strongly that I needed to attempt another search for my friend Jed because I hadn’t tried facebook. I followed your link tonight and here I sit. This is the first I have heard of Jed’s passing. We were best friends in college and lost touch with each other a few years after graduation. He is such a special soul and I have thought about him often. We were known as the two Jeds and simply put, he truly defined love for life. I have missed my friend. I would be EXTREMELY GREATFUL if you would contact me to share memories and grant me some closure. If too difficult I understand. (801)870-8706

By: Rachel Coleman

Rachel Coleman — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:46:54 +0000

Thank you for your comments, they made me smile and some brought tears to my eyes. Your love and sympathy lifts me. Your stories inspire me and are my daily reminders that I am not alone on this journey.

The resources I have created over the past 8 years, were not only made for you, but also for me. I need the connection, information and support as much as the next mom. Thanks for being there.

~Rachel

By: Shannan Hoffman

Shannan Hoffman — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:57:13 +0000

My name is Shannan and I was referred to your blog. My five month old daugter Kate has been diagnosed with cortical visual impairment, moderate brain damage, and possible cerebral palsy. After she was born, we noticed that her eyes weren’t tracking or focusing. All of the doctors assumed it was most likely a developmental delay, but my instincts told me it was something much more serious. Finally, we took her to a well known opthamologist at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake. He ordered a MRI and it revealed a moderate amount of brain damage that most likely occured late in my pregnancy, most likely from an infection in the womb. We are at the early stage and don’t know what to expect. Kate is cortically blind and has very little vision. She has little spots of vision here and there, but for the most part cannot appear to see. She has moderate spasticity in her upper body, mostly in her arms, neck, and shoulders. We have been struggling in beginning our journey with her.

Your post echoed exactly what I have been feeling over the past month. We have had our stuggles with Kate, and we lost a dear aunt completely unexpectedly. Thank you for sharing your feelings. I have had to take a few minutes to “retreat”. After the first month of feeling like I was on a high of strength, I have crashed emotionally the last couple of weeks. But taking the retreat helps me really get through my feelings and find the strength to go on. Thank you for your post and for your honesty.

By: Louise

Louise — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:00:35 +0000

Hi,

I am sorry for both of your losses! It is truly amazing how life can throw you so many curve balls. One minute things can be truly amazing and so quickly your world can feel like it is crashing down! You are truly right it is ok to crash, to take time, and refocus – it is a time to remember those lost and to remember that there are good things to come not matter how bad it may seem. Keep your head up – and I am sure your friend would like nothing more but to look down on you and to see you smile. Keep close to your heart the warmest memories. God Bless!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:29:55 +0000

Rachel,

Retreat… thank you for the reminder. I still consider myself a “new” mom despite the fact my baby is 17 months old. During the past 17 months I’ve finally learned how great it is to be the mom I’ve always wanted to be; with no disrespect to anyone else, I believe I have the best daughter in the world. I’ve also been given the opportunity to learn first hand about many other things including Down Syndrome, life in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit, Open Heart Surgery for a 4 1/2 month old and moderate hearing loss diagnosed at 10 months old. It has been a crazy 17 months, but I’m constantly reminded that I have it good compared to many other people’s situations. It is nice to be reminded that I can retreat – and should from time to time – to keep my sanity. Your post brought tears to both mine and my husbands eyes as we could relate to your feelings in our own way. We are very sorry for the loss of your friend, Jed. In reading his obituary, we were very impressed with the many things he accomplished and the people he touched during his lifetime.

On another note, I want to say THANK YOU! This is the first post I’ve read and the first newsletter, but we have been fans of Baby Signing Time since October when we first played the DVD and my daughter became a huge fan of all of you! We learned quickly not to get in her way when she was watching her DVD! We play it at least once or twice a day and listen to the CDs every day. Allie can now sign More, All Done, Dog, Daddy, Eat and Fish (her latest favorite!). On her birthday she first signed “more” very deliberately to the pride of all of us and her visiting Grandparents. By all means, I gave her “more” cake! Thank you for your diligence to helping all these brilliant children show us how brillant they really are. Thank you for being so strong and letting us know it is okay to Retreat.

We look forward to being long-term Signing Time fans!

By: Davita

Davita — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:00:26 +0000

I check your blog ever so often. I haven’t been able to be on the computer lately, but I had noticed on twitter that you had lost your friend and my heart went out then to you. So today when I read the update on your blog, my heart was touched again. I did 20 years of in home childcare and loved it. But I had been out of it for 6 years when my grandsons moved in with us. Both special needs, but not as severe as what you have to deal with. But I learned then that you DO have to retreat sometimes! My husband understands this, but I don’t think their father (our son) does. Sometimes the ‘retreat’ is just to my bedroom with the door locked. At first I had felt that I had gotten WEAK. But I know now that it was just God telling me that I need to take care of myself also.
I am SOOOO very thankful that you are able to express yourself the way you do. I truely think that it helps the rest of us to see a little of how we really feel.
So sorry for your lose. I was wondering if he died unexpectedly. Also wondering how Leah is doing with the lose. You had said on twitter that he was the only friend that learned to sign for Leah. It seems that he was such a major part of your family. Hugs to your whole family.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:19:22 +0000

It’s so cool how you teach sign laungue! I’ve watched some of your videos! If you want to, can you please comment back!

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:30:37 +0000

My family loves Signing Time and I have been reading your blog for months (years?) and have never left a comment before, but you have touched my life, and today I needed to try and touch a small part of yours by letting you know that I’m so sorry for your loss. How heartbreaking. God bless you.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:25:06 +0000

My heart aches for your loss. I’m sending you prayers and <<>>.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:14:42 +0000

I love you Rachel. It’s just not right that so many people are suffering so much. But it’s so nice to know that he was loved by so many so deeply. It gives me a tiny bit of comfort. I am leaving work now to retreat.