Comments on: Open Your Heart Before The Sun Goes Down!

By: Eric Hamm

Eric Hamm — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:50:35 +0000

@Barbara: I’m so glad you and your mother were close. I’m this way with my mom as well. If she were to pass in an instant, though it would be hard, I would never feel like I never said I love you. This is SO important! Thanks for sharing, Barbara. Eric.

By: Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blog

Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blog — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:55:46 +0000

You did it again, Eric - I love the letter you wrote to your Dad. You're so right. Years ago my mother died of a massive heart attack, I did not have a chance to say goodbye as I lived in another state. Fortunately we communicated often on the phone and never failed to say "I love you". Thanks for reminding others how loved ones can leave us in the blink of an eye. It's the people in our lives that are truly important. Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blog´s last blog post..NBOTW - I Think I Can, I Think I Can

By: Eric Hamm

Eric Hamm — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:05:22 +0000

@Bamboo Forest: Thanks, man! That means a lot. Eric.

By: Bamboo Forest

Bamboo Forest — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:33:37 +0000

Very touching letter. It's obvious to me that your gifts are much to the thanks of the direction your father instilled in you. His legacy has clearly impacted you, and lives on in you. Bamboo Forest´s last blog post..7 Greatest Strikes of All Time

By: Eric Hamm

Eric Hamm — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:25:00 +0000

@Cindy: Beautifully voiced! Thanks for sharing your sentiment and describing the benefits of life, regardless of our pasts. To the butterflies and the blooms that blossom! Eric.

By: cindy

cindy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:21:09 +0000

A bittersweet sentiment that will stir everyone’s heart. A loss no matter what age is a gap we need to fill with happiness, gratitude and blessing. We would not be here if it had not been for the best part of our parents coming together to create us. Whether our childhood was good or sad, we are guaranteed a new day to make it count and the chance to create our own clan to call our family and do it in the spirit that was modeled for us, make it better, and most of all design it the way we believe is the best. I am proud to make a better world with you Eric and I am thankful your Father gave you gifts to share with all of us. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive. The butterflies are flying freely in California on this sunny December day. Our Mia always tells me it is my mom visiting. Today we add your father to the list when we see a pretty orange blossom flitting freely through the hot pink /pistashio hydrangeas.

Be well and happy weekend,
Cindy

By: Eric Hamm

Eric Hamm — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:28:52 +0000

@Patricia: It sounds like you had a similar relationship with your father that my mom had with hers. She always told me how she always had such high expectations, but sharing true emotion just wasn’t allowed. It really had an impact on her life (mostly negative), but he was, at least in some ways, a good father to her. He was a college professor so education was of utmost importance.

I’m glad you were able to share those two moments of emotional connection with your mom. That might not sound like much to some, but I’m sure it meant everything to you.

@Juliet: I’m SO sorry to hear about your friend. I hope the best for them!

@Alex: I’m glad you connected with the post. There’s no doubt that your blog promotes that idea. Thanks for sharing!

And excellent interview with Leo, by the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Eric.

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:58:21 +0000

Thanks for sharing! Your example illustrates exactly why I’m so passionate about getting rid of the word someday from people’s vocabulary.

Far too many people thing they have all the time in the world and so put off what they really want to do.

Hopefully people will see this post as the butt-kicking they need.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..Fear, Unique Pathways & Self-Awareness: Lessons from the Lab-Rats

By: LifeMadeGreat | Juliet

LifeMadeGreat | Juliet — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:38:16 +0000

Hi Eric Thank you for sharing. It is wonderful that you open up like this. It touches me greatly as I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Juliet LifeMadeGreat | Juliet´s last blog post..Overcoming The Barriers of Introversion: Introduction

By: Patricia

Patricia — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:40:35 +0000

How wonderful that you were able to share your letter with your father before his passing. My father would not talk about things he called “emotional” so we all knew he was dying of cancer but he wanted to know what we were planning on doing with our lives. The one thing he wanted for me was for me to marry my honey – which I did for him. I have had a good life and a good relationship, but I will not ask that of my children – ever.
My father believed so strongly in education and learning and he influenced so many lives – especially of gifted and special needs kids that it is sometimes to overwhelming to think about.

Then there is the death of my mother – a 3 year adventure of understanding ,but not a lot of discussion until close to the end, when her care was 24/7 and just down the hall. I said “I love you” everyday and every opportunity, but only once or twice did she say so….but she asked me what I truly believed about what I understood happened after death….and when I shared with her what others believe and then what I believed, she said she thought what I believed was the right one for her. That was a moment of connection I will hold in my heart as dear.
She gave me two compliments in my life – once when in high school she said, ” You have the most beautiful singing voice I have ever heard.” and during her last three years she said, “you are one of the best parents I have ever encountered in my life” ( She taught first grade for 32 years and Sunday School)

The sun has set for my parents…I wish them well on their next journey…but I focus on my children and family now

Thank you for this lovely sharing piece of your heart.

Patricia´s last blog post..Is It All About Food?