Going Silent to Deal With Grief
Posted by Terry White on October 30, 2006
The blogs will be silent for a short period as we deal with some personal grief in the White family.
Our daughter Jamie, 35, was found dead Saturday morning in the living room of her apartment in a south suburb of Minneapolis. As a single mother, she has been raising her two boys, ages 12 and 16.
I returned from the East Focus Retreat Wednesday night and spent time with her Thursday and Friday. She had jaw surgery on Wednesday (her fourth) and my wife, Sharon, had taken her to the hospital, stayed with her through surgery and recovery, and was watching after the boys.
We all had a spaghetti dinner Friday night at Jamie’s place, even though Jamie was in quite a bit of pain from her operation. She lay down on the couch after dinner while my wife, Sharon, who had fixed the dinner, cleaned up.
I left Jamie’s place about 7 p.m. and Sharon left about 8 p.m., after the boys had returned so that Jamie would not be home alone. When the boys arose Saturday they found her dead on the living room couch.
We are awaiting toxicology tests and the results of an autopsy—we cannot set funeral dates until they release her. We tentatively plan for a funeral late this week. There are a number of possible causes, including accidental overdose of pain medication, one of several types of blood clots, or even hereditary heart disease (we adopted her as an infant, but there is a family history on her biological father’s side of early death from heart disease).
So we thank you for your prayers, particularly for what will now happen to the two boys. Todd is 16 and Chad is 12, and they desperately need stability, good role modeling, and strong spiritual input at this time in their lives.
The blog content will return after a reasonable period to reassemble our lives.
Doug Lee led us in the Matt & Beth Redman song at the retreat—it keeps echoing in my mind.
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name.
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I am so very sorry, my brother, I am praying.
Randy Weekley
I am so sorry, my brother, I am praying
Randy Weekley
I’m so sorry, Terry. I will pray for you and Sharon.
Silence is perhaps the only adequate expression of grief so deep. I will respect the silence on the blog, but be assured that your name will be brought up frequently before the throne of Jesus.
You are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Lee & Joy Cornelius
Terry and Sharon,
Our prayers are with you and your grandsons as God walks with you down this painful path.
Dan and Sherry
Terry,
I love you brother. I am sad to hear this news. Kelly and I are praying for you and Sharon in your loss. Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Our hearts go out to you and your family. May God’s perfect peace surround you.
Carl and Donna Baker
Terry and Sharon,
Our hearts are heavy and sorrowful for you. Linda learned of the loss of your daughter while attending the women’s leadership summit in Syracus, IN when Miriam Pacheco received a phone call. The entire group prayed for you the day you learned of your loss. Only our heavenly Father can comfort your hearts for such a time as this. We are especially praying for your grandsons.
With His love and prayers,
Jerry and Linda Michael, Martinsburg, WV