Comments on: Life and Death and Michael Jackson http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/ Strong Enough To Be... Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:58:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Claudia http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2545 Claudia Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:47:43 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2545 Something you wrote hit a chord with me. We live in Logan and two houses away from the mudslide that buried a house and the three people in it on Saturday. It was just a typical Saturday. I was running errands with my granddaughter. We came back home and we could not get into our street. Muddy water was pouring down the streets and dozens of emergency vehicles were at the site. We got to our house the back way and tried to figure out what was going on. Suddenly the whole neighborhood smelled of natural gas and the police man was at our door saying "Manditory evacuation. Everybody get out now!" I got my 88 year old mother into the front seat, my 4 grandchildren I was tending into the back seat and took off. That weekend over 1,000 volunteers worked to clear all the mud out of the neighborhood and hundreds of police, fire and rescue personnel worked furiously to find the family that was missing. Some are still out of their homes but yesterday they were able to find the bodies. Everyone is wondering how things could go bad so quickly. How could a mother and her two children be gone in a second? Does it make any sense? We do live as if it could last forever. Some have time to think about their own mortality and some do not before they leave us. I take comfort in the idea that what I am and what I have tried to be will go on forever. I may not ever do anything the world would notice, but if I taught a child to read, I loved someone or I discovered my own purpose, my life has made a difference. Something you wrote hit a chord with me. We live in Logan and two houses away from the mudslide that buried a house and the three people in it on Saturday. It was just a typical Saturday. I was running errands with my granddaughter. We came back home and we could not get into our street. Muddy water was pouring down the streets and dozens of emergency vehicles were at the site. We got to our house the back way and tried to figure out what was going on. Suddenly the whole neighborhood smelled of natural gas and the police man was at our door saying “Manditory evacuation. Everybody get out now!” I got my 88 year old mother into the front seat, my 4 grandchildren I was tending into the back seat and took off. That weekend over 1,000 volunteers worked to clear all the mud out of the neighborhood and hundreds of police, fire and rescue personnel worked furiously to find the family that was missing. Some are still out of their homes but yesterday they were able to find the bodies. Everyone is wondering how things could go bad so quickly. How could a mother and her two children be gone in a second? Does it make any sense?
We do live as if it could last forever. Some have time to think about their own mortality and some do not before they leave us. I take comfort in the idea that what I am and what I have tried to be will go on forever. I may not ever do anything the world would notice, but if I taught a child to read, I loved someone or I discovered my own purpose, my life has made a difference.

]]> By: Rachel Coleman http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2544 Rachel Coleman Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:21:08 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2544 <strong>Anita Phares</strong>: Thanks Anita, yes the Buddy Walk this fall will be fun. <strong>Kei</strong>: "Once we can get out of our own way" SO true! I am always in my way. Especially when I am thinking it's someone else.. Surprise! It's ME! <strong>Euknowme</strong>: Good things come to those who wait. Way to be persistent. <strong>Pam</strong>: Thanks! It has been nerve-wracking and completely confronting writing it. I am sure I will have night sweats when it actually reaches readers hands. <strong>Sally</strong>: I really do have to remind myself to acknowledge others, even my husband. Do we/I naturally take for granted those that are closest to us? <strong>Kristi</strong>: Good grief! LOL, no pressure huh? <strong>Ronai:</strong> There you go~ Step 1. Make your "somedays" a reality Step 2. Become a fountain of gratitude Step 3. Love & Kindness <strong>Niksmom:</strong> You are welcome. Glad it was timely:) <strong>Jackile</strong>: I just pretend my house is clean. It works great, until we have company. <strong>Jessica</strong>: "87% decent"? I'll take that! Especially from you, who has seen my darkest-darks and my brightest-brights... wait is that a Tide commercial??? <strong>Ashley L</strong>: glad you are back and I hope all is well! <strong>Leanna_mom23:</strong> No, no, we shall not speak of THAT! We loved meeting you too... until next time:) <strong>Brooke</strong>: Bill paying DOES get in the way and NOT paying bills is even worse. Thanks for the invite, we had a great time. <strong>Heather:</strong> No throwing Leanna under the bus. I am almost 87% convinced she is not a stalker. <strong>Linda Jan</strong>: Mom, it always cracks me up when you comment. I don't know why! Let's be honest, we both know that "100% decent" is pushing it. <strong>Emily Hoerner:</strong> How dumb that he had to die for us to meet? There are much easier was to introduce your family and friends to each other. We still giggle about "He called me a Tookey!" <strong>Googsmom:</strong> and I will sign yours, "Rachel was here!" <strong>Andrew</strong>: LOL <strong>Donelle Anderson:</strong> Or do something silly! Last summer Leah and I were swimming and she asked if I could do a flip off the diving board. I told her I wasn't sure, hadn't done one in 10+ years. But I thought why not try? She and I ended up flipping for an hour and laughing hysterically. I imagined a neighbor peeking over the wall to see what the laughter was about... and I only laughed harder. Anita Phares: Thanks Anita, yes the Buddy Walk this fall will be fun.

Kei: “Once we can get out of our own way”
SO true! I am always in my way. Especially when I am thinking it’s someone else.. Surprise! It’s ME!

Euknowme: Good things come to those who wait. Way to be persistent.

Pam: Thanks! It has been nerve-wracking and completely confronting writing it. I am sure I will have night sweats when it actually reaches readers hands.

Sally: I really do have to remind myself to acknowledge others, even my husband. Do we/I naturally take for granted those that are closest to us?

Kristi: Good grief! LOL, no pressure huh?

Ronai: There you go~
Step 1. Make your “somedays” a reality
Step 2. Become a fountain of gratitude
Step 3. Love & Kindness

Niksmom: You are welcome. Glad it was timely:)

Jackile: I just pretend my house is clean. It works great, until we have company.

Jessica: “87% decent”? I’ll take that! Especially from you, who has seen my darkest-darks and my brightest-brights… wait is that a Tide commercial???

Ashley L: glad you are back and I hope all is well!

Leanna_mom23: No, no, we shall not speak of THAT!
We loved meeting you too… until next time:)

Brooke: Bill paying DOES get in the way and NOT paying bills is even worse. Thanks for the invite, we had a great time.

Heather: No throwing Leanna under the bus. I am almost 87% convinced she is not a stalker.

Linda Jan: Mom, it always cracks me up when you comment. I don’t know why!
Let’s be honest, we both know that “100% decent” is pushing it.

Emily Hoerner: How dumb that he had to die for us to meet? There are much easier was to introduce your family and friends to each other.
We still giggle about “He called me a Tookey!”

Googsmom: and I will sign yours, “Rachel was here!”

Andrew: LOL

Donelle Anderson: Or do something silly! Last summer Leah and I were swimming and she asked if I could do a flip off the diving board. I told her I wasn’t sure, hadn’t done one in 10+ years. But I thought why not try? She and I ended up flipping for an hour and laughing hysterically. I imagined a neighbor peeking over the wall to see what the laughter was about… and I only laughed harder.

]]> By: Donelle Anderson http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2541 Donelle Anderson Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:33:59 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2541 So True! I was just talking to my husband about this the other day, why do we wait till people are dead to say great things about them? It's sad really! I try to seize each day and do something fun and memorable, if anything just be a good mom, wife, sister, daughter or friend! Can't wait to read your autobiography Rachel!! So True! I was just talking to my husband about this the other day, why do we wait till people are dead to say great things about them? It’s sad really! I try to seize each day and do something fun and memorable, if anything just be a good mom, wife, sister, daughter or friend!
Can’t wait to read your autobiography Rachel!!

]]> By: Andrew http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2540 Andrew Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:38:49 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2540 You are writing an autobiography? Cool! What's it about? You are writing an autobiography? Cool! What’s it about?

]]> By: Googsmom http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2539 Googsmom Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:32:46 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2539 A book? Right friggin' on!!! Can't wait! A book? Right friggin’ on!!! Can’t wait!

]]> By: Emily Hoerner http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2538 Emily Hoerner Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:11:56 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2538 Rachel- You are an amazing person! I am so glad I am getting the chance to know you, your awesome husband, and your beautiful kids. Everytime I read your blog I laugh and cry. Thank you for being you. I know that Jed is smiling because we are all connected now. -Emily Rachel-
You are an amazing person! I am so glad I am getting the chance to know you, your awesome husband, and your beautiful kids. Everytime I read your blog I laugh and cry. Thank you for being you. I know that Jed is smiling because we are all connected now.
-Emily

]]> By: Linda Jan http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2389 Linda Jan Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:53:39 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2389 Great blogging, Rachel. Want you to know you are a 100% decent human being...and I'm sure your Dad will say so, too! "Ain't life grand?" It unfolds in such a daily way, and yet when it is contemplated on a continuum from where we are now, looking back to where we've been....wow, what a view! What you and your sister, Emilie, have begun years ago to benefit one little person, Leah, and your circle of family and friends, has multipled to include all these wonderful people who have commented ahead of me on this blog and so many others. There are witnesses of your power and goodness all over the globe, from Oklahoma to Ghana and back. Can't wait to read your book! And I take my glove off to dear Michael Jackson, as well....all I can say is, an interesting life from beginning to end. Loving you....Mom Great blogging, Rachel. Want you to know you are a 100% decent human being…and I’m sure your Dad will say so, too! “Ain’t life grand?” It unfolds in such a daily way, and yet when it is contemplated on a continuum from where we are now, looking back to where we’ve been….wow, what a view! What you and your sister, Emilie, have begun years ago to benefit one little person, Leah, and your circle of family and friends, has multipled to include all these wonderful people who have commented ahead of me on this blog and so many others. There are witnesses of your power and goodness all over the globe, from Oklahoma to Ghana and back. Can’t wait to read your book! And I take my glove off to dear Michael Jackson, as well….all I can say is, an interesting life from beginning to end. Loving you….Mom

]]> By: Heather http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2388 Heather Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:11:13 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2388 Ok...so let's live in the moment! I love all y'all...you're awesome women, and miscellaneous dad types, and you've helped me get through some rough days, and celebrated my big days. That's all. This book oughta be awesome....I can't wait for her to talk about her stalkers.... You know, Leanna?! ;) Love ya! Ok…so let’s live in the moment! I love all y’all…you’re awesome women, and miscellaneous dad types, and you’ve helped me get through some rough days, and celebrated my big days.
That’s all.
This book oughta be awesome….I can’t wait for her to talk about her stalkers…. You know, Leanna?! ;)
Love ya!

]]> By: Brooke http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2387 Brooke Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:22:07 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2387 Thanks for the reminder Rachel! We try to remember to step back and enjoy life and appreciate what we have but sometimes grocery shopping and bill paying get in the way. It was great to see you guys, we appreciate you making time to come and visit! Thanks for your friendship, I appreciate it! Thanks for the reminder Rachel!
We try to remember to step back and enjoy life and appreciate what we have but sometimes grocery shopping and bill paying get in the way. It was great to see you guys, we appreciate you making time to come and visit! Thanks for your friendship, I appreciate it!

]]> By: Leanna_mom23 http://www.rachelcoleman.com/2009/07/12/life-and-death-and-michael-jackson/comment-page-1/#comment-2386 Leanna_mom23 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:36:17 +0000 http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/?p=1759#comment-2386 It really IS strange how we handle the whole life/death situation. And, I know exactly how you are feeling about your friend. We just recently lost a good friend of ours. So, just so you know, we love you & Signing Time!! :) It was awesome to meet you & Aaron when you were here in Oklahoma! Thank you for all that you do! I can't wait to read your autobiography. (whew-at first I thought you were going to mention your whole OK experience. ;D) It really IS strange how we handle the whole life/death situation. And, I know exactly how you are feeling about your friend. We just recently lost a good friend of ours.

So, just so you know, we love you & Signing Time!! :)

It was awesome to meet you & Aaron when you were here in Oklahoma! Thank you for all that you do! I can’t wait to read your autobiography.

(whew-at first I thought you were going to mention your whole OK experience. ;D)

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