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Eydie ~ Co-Manager
- I lost my dad on 2/14/01 to numerous cancers. Valentines
day will never be the same for me. Before losing dad I
lost so much when I lost my husband Charlie on 8/11/00
at the age of 47. He died of a massive heart attack after
suffering for 11 long years of CHF. Knowing how sick he
was I still wasn't prepared to lose him. We were best
friends since I was 10 yrs. old. So this is a whole new
life for me not having him in it. We were married 2 weeks
shy of our 27th anniversary. We have 6 grown children,
5 boys and 1 girl. I've learned with HOPE anything is
possible.
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Char ~ Co-Manager
- On Halloween, 1999, I awoke to find that my husband,
Ivan, had a heart attack or stroke as we had slept. Though
I had lost all of my Grandparents and a few Aunts and
Uncles before this time, I had never felt grief so intensely.
I felt all alone and lost. One evening, as I was online
working on some emails, I decided to do a search to see
if there wasn’t a place that could help me with what I
was feeling. I typed in the word ‘death’ and found a group
of wonderful people that took my hand and walked beside
me. They taught me that it was OK to smile and laugh again.
Sure, there were many days that this was impossible to
do but there was always a tomorrow to think of and with
those thoughts, I was able to start learning how to live
my life. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long till I was stumbling,
falling down and needed my friends to help me with a new
branch of this path. My Mother, was loosing her 8 year
battle with cancer. She joined her parents, several sisters
and my Ivan, 1-11-01. Thankfully, I had plenty of friends,
though I could not see their faces, to walk beside me
again. Another year passes and we received information
that my Dad had 2 types of cancer but because of his age
and other health issues there was nothing that could be
done. I remember Dad saying, “That’s ok, I’m ready to
go take your Mother dancing again.” With a summer sky
full of stars to light his way, my Dad joined my Mom for
a very special dance, 7-14-02. Again, I was thankful for
my online friends who were now becoming more like family
to me. Yet, my story doesn’t end. In April 2004, my daughter
calls to tell me I’m going to be a Grandma. How excited
I was, for this would not only be my first grandchild,
but it would be the first of the next generation for my
family. In May, she calls me again, she is worried, something
just didn’t seem right. She went to her Dr. and was sent
home again on bed rest. She ended up miscarrying the baby.
We cried together and I was thankful that I had introduced
her to my online family.
I am part of HALO’s staff, manager of the Living Room
and a host because I do believe in what we have here.
We can learn to smile, laugh and enjoy OUR life again.
My story doesn’t end on a sad note either for I have been
blessed to meet a man who’s wife passed to cancer and
we started the next chapter to our lives by getting married
7-16-04. This does not mean that we have forgotten our
spouses in Heaven and that we don’t still have our moments
of sadness over their passing, for we will always have
a special place in our hearts that holds a special love
for them and that‘s OK.
This path called grief isn’t an easy voyage to make so
I pray daily that all who come to HALO and those that
struggle on this path alone, may have just enough winds
to keep their sails going so they too can learn to live
their life again.
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 Judy
(Nana) ~ Host
- In 1989 and 1990 both my husband and my father were
diagnosed with lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema.
My mom also had heart problems, diabetes, and strokes.
I lost my Dad on Feb 9, 1995. Then we discovered that
my mom had bladder cancer and she died of congestive heart
failure on Sept. 9, 1995. I then concentrated on caring
for my husband who had several operations. His emphysema
was taking its toll on him and in Dec. 1998 he was told
that he had lung cancer. He died Jan 31, 1999. We had
been married for 34 1/2 years. Suddenly I was all alone
in the world. I found online grief support chat and was
welcomed by the most wonderful lady named Judy Divers.
In July 1999 I met Judy and she asked me to host. I told
her that I didn't think I could do that and she said "Trust
Me" with that big smile of hers. Ever since I have been
giving back what was given to me when I needed it.
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Rosy ~ Host
- In October of 2000 my 17 year old cousin was killed
in a drunk driving accident. We had a close bond and it
devastated me and all who knew her. I did a grief search
online and was led to some wonderful people who accepted
my grief and understood how I felt. Not quite five months
later in March 2001, my beloved father died suddenly but
not unexpectedly after a long battle with emphysema and
COPD. My life had turned upside down once again. Thankfully
my online angels were here to give me strength and help
me realize I wasn't alone. I want to thank them all and
wish to give back some of the love, understanding and
compassion that was given to me.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((All)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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Larry ~ Host
- I lost my wife in March 2005, 3 months short of our
40th anniversary. It was devastating for me. My life as
I knew it was torn apart. I felt lost and alone. I am
so grateful that I found HALO, the wonderful people here
understood my feeling and held my hand as I traveled this
road.
We have 3 boys and 3 girls, all grown and they been a
real blessing to me. They along with the understanding
and caring people here at HALO have helped me come along
way down this path. Many times during this journey I have
felt overwhelmed and lost but in chatting with the people
I have received the encouragement and strength to continue
on.
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Joe ~ Host
- On May 11, 2006, my father-in-law called me home from
work so he could tell my daughter’s and me that their
mom and grandma (my wife and mother-in-law) had been killed
in an auto accident just down the road from our houses
that afternoon. My daughters were 13 and 15 at the time
leaving me to raise them without the two “ROCKS” of their
lives. This was three days before Mother’s Day, exactly
one week before my wife’s birthday. We had been together
over 18 years and would have been married 17 years in
August 2006.
Prior to that, my Dad died in March 1998, my wife’s uncle
in May 1998, my wife’s grandmother in June 2000, and my
mom in September 2002. All of my Aunts and uncles on both
my Mom and Dad’s sides of my family are deceased. As I
am the youngest cousin on both sides of the family, many
of my cousins are deceased as well. In the 8 months prior
to the accident, five friends of ours from church died
as well.
Of all of these deaths, my wife’s and her mom’s hit me
the hardest. Within a month of the accident I started
counseling with a Hospice Sudden Death Grief Counselor.
Although she was a lot of help, what we both realized
was what I needed most was some sort of support group
for younger Widow(er)s with children. Although she called
all through a four county area, the Hospice Counselor
admitted there was not any appropriate program for younger
widow(er)s with children. One program that did exist an
hour away was more about money than helping.
Fortunately, through my attempts to find sources of information
on Grief on the Internet, I found HALO. At the roughest
experience ever in my life, I found others who understood
the pain I have experienced through my recent loss. They
all held my hand and supported me through various rough
points. Thanks to them, I know that there is a light at
the end of this darkness I have entered. They are here
for me when and where ever I need help.
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Rena ~ Host
- On January 3, 2000 I became a widow. I lost my best
friend, my beloved husband Michael at the age of 37, suddenly
of an enlarged heart. We would have celebrated our 15th
wedding anniversary that February. Our three children
lost a wonderful, loving dad. I am so thankful for having
found online grief support. This has become my new found
family, my lifeline. As I have come to learn, keyboards
don't rust, and the tissue is always on hand. My children
and I are survivors and it does get better, the pain will
soften. You are never alone, someone will always be there,
willing too listen and hold your hand.
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Rosie (rosief) ~ Host
- My name is Rosemary, better known as rosief. I lost
my husband Chuck, suddenly, on May 31, 2000. He was 55
and we had been married for 25 years. I have two great
kids, Kathy and Keith, and two dogs named Lucky and Sugar.
Our family had always been supporters of organ donation
and when Chuck passed away we donated his organs for transplant
and also for research. All of his recipients are continuing
to lead a good quality of life with their families. I
have received so much love and support from family and
friends and I am eternally grateful to all who have helped
me on this grief journey. Your hugs, laughter, advice,
and just your willingness to listen have meant so much.
Now by hosting here at HALO, I feel I have an opportunity
to give back some of the support I have so blessed to
receive.
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Autumn ~ Host
- The first loss I had that made quite an impact on me
was my Grandpa Bill. He was my Dad's dad and I was his
right hand girl. I was 5 years old at the time. From that
time on, when ever my Mom needed to go to a funeral, I
would ask her to take me too because I wanted to let the
kids know that I understood how they felt. Growing up
I lost all my great grandparents, most of my Mom's aunts
and uncles. When I was in High School, I lost 2 close
friends. One lost control of her car due to black ice
and the other friend, was riding in the back seat of her
brother's car when a lady ran a stop sign. Seat belt laws
were not enforced then, and she was thrown out of the
car, which rolled over her. I remember trying to stay
strong for my other friends while working thru my own
grief too. A few years passed and then it seemed like
the bottom of my world dropped out. My step-Dad passed
unexpectedly 10-31-99. I hated seeing the pain my Mom
was going thru but I too was hurting so we hung onto each
other tightly. It was almost Christmas time in 2000 when
my Mom calls to tell me that we are about to loose someone
very close to us both. My Grandma Mona was loosing her
8 yr battle with cancer. By this time, I had moved from
MI to OR so I had to make a difficult decision. Did I
want to see my Grandma now or wait until she had passed?
It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I went to have
one last Christmas with her. I'll never regret the decision
I made. We had some quality time together and there is
nothing that can replace that time for me. Grandma passed
1-11-01 and though I wasn't there for her funeral, my
Mom read a piece for me. Another year passes and Mom calls
again for me to get on the next flight to MI. My Grandpa
had been diagnosed with 2 types of cancer and was being
brought home with hospice. As difficult as this trip was,
I was glad to get the chance to say aloha to my first
date, my friend, my Grandpa. He passed 7-14-02. For those
of you that don't know, Char, who is staff of HALO and
a host, is my Mom. When she first came online for her
grief, I remember thinking how my Mom had lost her mind.
Didn't she know that the Web was full of evil people?
After a spell, I decided that perhaps I should check this
all out. I was really concerned about my Mom's welfare.
BOY, was I wrong. I found some great, caring and understanding
people and my fears for my Mom went away. I was thankful
to have my new friends here at HALO. In May 04, I miscarried
my first baby and the wonderful caring people here were
waiting to walk this new path of grief with me. When I
was asked to become a host, I was honored. Now, just like
when I was a small child, I am here to walk beside you
and give you hope for a new tomorrow. I do understand
your pain.
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Janette ~ Host
- Hi my name is Janette aka Goob. I have lost many family
members through the years. These losses have had a big
impact on my life, but the one that took my whole being
was my husband Chris. Chris passed on July 5th, 1999 of
a massive heart attack at the age of 35, in his sleep.
He was my life, my world. We had been married for 15 years
when he passed.
With the love, care and support of all my online friends,
I have come to realize, life can be good again. I would
like to thank everyone for being there for me, and give
back the love and support that was given to me.
(((((((( Friends ))))))))
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Lori ~ Host
- The afternoon of 5-9-90, my life changed forever. That
was the day my grandmother passed. She meant so much to
me. I never really grieved for her loss. I was pretty
much lost myself. I was there in the hospital room with
her when she had a massive heart attack that took her
away from me and took her to be with my grandpa. Then
on 7-17-00, my uncle passed from cancer. I was devastated.
Never really knowing how to grieve, my life was a wreck.
Then I found my beautiful friends at HALO, with, through
compassion, time, sharing and many shoulders to lean on,
I am slowly learning how to grieve. I am far from completing
the grieving process, but understand it more now from
my friends from HALO. It was such a comfort to be sitting
with my friends the night of 1-8-02 when I got the news
that my close friend had been shot and killed in the line
of duty. Thanks so much to my friends and new family that
is showing me a new life despite the grief.
Thanks all to my HALO ((((((((((( Family ))))))))))
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Karen (K4Mary) ~ Host
- My beloved one and only child, Mary, went to be with
our Lord on 09-25-1991 at the young age of 8, when we
were in an auto accident. I think of her as an earth angel,
as I wasn't supposed to have children according to the
doctors. I had an angel instead, she was a miracle child.
Touching lives then and still touching lives today. HALO
has become part of my family, people like myself that
really understand grief, share my joy when I'm happy and
cry with me when I am sad. I am honored to be a HALO Host,
hoping to lend a helping hand to all. I've learned to
live life again, ONE DAY AT A TIME. Please visit Mary's
Memorial Site.
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Wendy ~ Host
- On Nov 10, 2000 my life changed forever. My husband
Harvey left for work promising to be back in a few hours
to have our morning coffee together. He never returned.
A few hours later the police came to my door, to tell
me that Harvey had a massive heart attack, and had died.
He was 41. My life hit bottom. I was 35 and alone. Online
I found people who understood me, who listened to me,
and who told me it was alright to cry. And cry I did.
Although I have lost a wonderful man, I now have reasons
to smile. The sun rises each day, but now it rises with
his memories to keep me smiling. }I{
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Debbie (DebLynnA) ~ Host
- I lost my beloved Phillip on 2/20/92 to a brain tumor.
When he died, I would go to bed each night and beg God
to take me too. When I'd wake each morning, I was angry
that He didn't answer my prayers. I remember the gut wrenching
pain, the confusion, the feeling of being so overwhelmed.
The keywords here are "I remember"...I don't FEEL that
way anymore. Time does heal, and we DO survive.
When new members come in and see my "intro" they see the
words "REALLY loving life again." It's true, it's possible,
though we all doubt it at first. I do what I do here because
I believe in this. Friends helping friends... simple as
that.
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