Hug your family

[DougSea]

Hi AOG family,

I had intended to go on a marketing push for the NE Rendezvous this past week, but as my Mother is fond of saying "Life is what happens when you're making other plans".

We lost our 27 year old son to an overdose last weekend, and as I'm sure you can imagine we've been a bit consumed with that. To say that losing a child sucks, well, that's an understatement. Colin struggled with addiction for a number of years and while he seemed to be rising above it recently disaster was always lurking around the corner. We're in the process of identifying a charity to support in his name as we look to bring as much of a positive outcome as we can to this, and I'll be posting more in the coming days. Drug addiction is a scourge in this country, and is the ultimate in non-discriminatory as it strikes across every boundary you can think of. Our family can at least begin to seek closure, but there are people all around you that are being impacted every single day by this epidemic. So, for those of you thinking "What can I do to help?, my answer would be - help those people. Help those who haven't received that phone call ... yet. Because they're all waiting for it. And it's tearing them up.

And please, hug your family and tell them how much you love them.

Best to you all,

[Mark Deeser]

DougSea, so sorry for your loss. I am going to go see and hug both of our kids Today. Thanks, Mark.

[Tree]

Doug, I cannot put into words what I can say to you of any comfort but despite being worlds away all I can say is I am so sorry for your loss. I am just about to put my children to bed and I will make sure I hug them for longer than normal.

[jointventure]

Doug,
Our deepest sympathies go out to you and Kathy.
As we travel down our respective paths we never know what curve balls we'll be thrown.

Sorry we are not available to pitch in and help with the Rendezvous.
There will be other Rendezvous - you and your family take the time adjust.

[Mariner]

Doug,

My sincerest condolences. As the father of a two-year-old, nothing scares me more than the prospect of him getting involved with drugs when he gets older.

[jcollins]

Doug - Sharon and I send our condolences to you and Kathy. The poem below has helped me in the past. I can only hope you find some solace.

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then she is gone!
“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”

And that is dying.

Anonymous

[Nancy]

Doug,

My heart breaks for you. Short of losing a child, I know exactly what you're talking about. I will email you. I am intensely sorry for your loss.

Nancy

[tshug]

Doug,

My wife and I are so sorry for your loss.

Ted

[whwells]

Doug: There are no words that will fill the gap of this loss. Nevertheless, we are do sad to hear the news and wish you and family all the the best.
whwells "Howard"

[kathylsails]

Doug,

Words seem so inadequate to convey feelings of loss and sorrow. Please know that you are in our thoughts and that we are sending love and sympathy to you and Kathy. Thanks to you, we will hug those we love even more.

Kathy and Peter

[Graeme K]

Doug, although I've never met you, your news shocked me. Your loss must be immeasurable.
I guess I feel you're special, with all the dedication and hard work you do for AOG.

Our condolences - Graeme and Lois.

[Jack]

I am very sorry for your loss, Doug. That is terrible news. We are thinking of you and your family.
Jack and Barbara

[seasalt]

Deepest sympathy to you and yours, Doug.

Ron

[Chuckatuck Ray]

Doug,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ray

[tbnolin]

Oh Doug and Kathy....I can't begin to say how sorry Brenda and I are for your sudden loss. We have lost several at an early age and it doesn't get any easier. Please keep your heads high through this very difficult time and life will take you in the right direction. We're thinking of you.

Tom & Brenda