With this flower, called Love in a Mist, we shower the Glen family with our support. May today's words speak for all of us here–all who have followed Tanya's story of the search for her Mom. Missing for five days, Mary Glen was found Wednesday night, having passed away.
le souvenir de temps heureux
: the memory of happy times
Lettre de Condoléances pour la famille Glen
Sympathy Letter for the Glen family
Dear Tanya and family,
Words fail to express what complete strangers, as well as those closest to you, are feeling right now for your dear family. Tanya, you introduced yourself in a letter, over a year ago, telling me you had married a Frenchman and were planning on coming to France. You didn't speak French and needed help expressing yourself in another language. Someone (Sandy? Monique?) told you about my language blog.
I may have told you then to rest assured, you are in good company: that made at least two of us who struggled to speak French! And today, having woken up to news about your Mom's passing, I struggle even to speak English.
It was another reader–Trina–who emailed me the news this morning. Like many, she did not know you personally, but the moment she read your story she was with you, avec coeur. Trina writes:
My heart goes out to all of you, to Mary's friends and family. You are all in my prayers.
Still unsure of what to say at this heartbreaking time, I will use Trina's example. And gathering everyone near–all who are reading–we will borrow words from the French and do our best to comfort you, showering you with our collective sympathies. With hopes that the pain you are feeling will ease, petit à petit, and that you will bravely continue on with your petite et adorable famille, the one you have recently founded. And may your proud father and loving sister be by your side and you by their side, for the remainder of this life.
Mary Glen, left. Tanya, right, with her father. Kassi, Tanya's sister is in blue. Photo credit: Rebecca Dever at http://www.charmingphoto.com
May memories of your dear Mom carry you gently forward to France and beyond. Wherever you go, your Maman is in your heart. And we thank you for putting her in our own hearts, too. What a privilege to have met your Mom via your photos and words; what a joy to have learned about Mary Glen "the most loving person you could ever meet."
The above words were your own, Tanya, and here are the French words I promised. I will do my best to translate them, but remember, I struggle along with you in this "language of love." Oui, amour éternel, just like a mother's love.
And now–
Que le souvenir de temps heureux vous aide à supporter cette pénible épreuve. Sachez que votre peine est comprise et partagée par ceux qui vous aiment.
May the memories of happy times help you through this painful hardship. Know that your pain is felt and shared by those who love you.
Amicalement,
Kristin and friends here at French Word-A-Day
To the Glen family: Every bud on the sunflowers and every blossom on the bougainvillea reaching all the way to the heavens represents our collective faces here in this language community. You don't know us but we stand facing you at this difficult time, extending our support and offering our respect in memory of the beloved and beautiful Mary Glen.
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Chère Kristin,
Thank you for your very heart-felt print. Your way of writing is vivid and addictive!
I was introduced to you by a good friend “Olivia”.
I love your blog of “French Word-a-day”. You are an inspiration! Merci,Teresa
Chère Kristin,
Thank you for your very heart-felt print. Your way of writing is vivid and addictive!
I was introduced to you by a good friend “Olivia”.
I love your blog of “French Word-a-day”. You are an inspiration! Merci,Teresa
Thank you Kristin for sharing this heartbreaking story – my thoughs and prayers go out to Tanya and her family.
Thank you Kristin for sharing this heartbreaking story – my thoughs and prayers go out to Tanya and her family.
Dear Tanya and Family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dear Mother. Just as Kristin says, she will be with you in your heart always.
Dear Tanya and Family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dear Mother. Just as Kristin says, she will be with you in your heart always.
Prayers and thoughts are with Tanya and her family. I’m so sorry for your loss. Kristin, I love the picture of all of us being flowers on the Bougainville. So appropriate, too, for those of us in the Phoenix area who see them blooming everywhere.
Prayers and thoughts are with Tanya and her family. I’m so sorry for your loss. Kristin, I love the picture of all of us being flowers on the Bougainville. So appropriate, too, for those of us in the Phoenix area who see them blooming everywhere.
Simply beautiful, dear Kristi, I am grateful for your voice in moments as heartbreaking as this. I checked your blog and Tanya’s Facebook page before going to bed last night, hoping for reassuring news.
May our collective love, care and sympathy surround and comfort Tanya and her family in this time of great sadness.
Simply beautiful, dear Kristi, I am grateful for your voice in moments as heartbreaking as this. I checked your blog and Tanya’s Facebook page before going to bed last night, hoping for reassuring news.
May our collective love, care and sympathy surround and comfort Tanya and her family in this time of great sadness.
Tanya, there can be no words, just hugs. My 21 niece 7 months pregnant just died of a brain hemmorage, the baby survived! But, like your family we are reeling from the pain, shock, and sadness.
Hugs from across the world to you and your family.
Tanya, there can be no words, just hugs. My 21 niece 7 months pregnant just died of a brain hemmorage, the baby survived! But, like your family we are reeling from the pain, shock, and sadness.
Hugs from across the world to you and your family.
Tout a été bien dit, par toi, Kristin.
My thoughts are with you, Tanyan, mes sincères condoléances.
Tout a été bien dit, par toi, Kristin.
My thoughts are with you, Tanyan, mes sincères condoléances.
Ca juste! Kristin.
Ca juste! Kristin.
My heart goes out to all family and friends.. Prayers of comfort for your loss.
My heart goes out to all family and friends.. Prayers of comfort for your loss.
Tanya and Sandra, tender sympathies for your losses, both so unexpected. Hugs to you. Kristin, thanks as ever for your eloquently expressive heart’s speaking so truly for us here.
Tanya and Sandra, tender sympathies for your losses, both so unexpected. Hugs to you. Kristin, thanks as ever for your eloquently expressive heart’s speaking so truly for us here.
Thank-you Kristin for sharing your beautiful message to Tanya, her family & friends. The love, care & friendship that is so obvious from around the globe gives one hope for the future. I am so glad I found your ‘journal’, albeit purely by chance – or maybe it wasn’t…!
Thank-you Kristin for sharing your beautiful message to Tanya, her family & friends. The love, care & friendship that is so obvious from around the globe gives one hope for the future. I am so glad I found your ‘journal’, albeit purely by chance – or maybe it wasn’t…!
Absolutely and amen to all that you said, Kristin. Tanya, I’m so grieved for your loss.
Absolutely and amen to all that you said, Kristin. Tanya, I’m so grieved for your loss.
Thank you, Kristin, for so thoughtfully and eloquently expressing, from all of us, what we are unable to put into words.
Thank you, Kristin, for so thoughtfully and eloquently expressing, from all of us, what we are unable to put into words.
Our dear Kristi,
What sad news.Deepest sympathies to Mary’s family,and all of those who now mourn.
Through you and and your wonderful blog,we really are all extended family members sharing each other’s sorrows as well as joys.
Love
Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
What sad news.Deepest sympathies to Mary’s family,and all of those who now mourn.
Through you and and your wonderful blog,we really are all extended family members sharing each other’s sorrows as well as joys.
Love
Natalia XO
Just the other day, Mary Glenn went missing, so what had happened and now she’s gone?
We’re sorry for your loss, Tanya,May your mom now rest in peace.
Just the other day, Mary Glenn went missing, so what had happened and now she’s gone?
We’re sorry for your loss, Tanya,May your mom now rest in peace.
Tanya, my condolences on the passing of your mother. May she rest in peace.
Kathleen
Tanya, my condolences on the passing of your mother. May she rest in peace.
Kathleen
Kristen,
You are such a blessing and I’m sure Mary Glen’s family is very thankful for all you have done and written about their beautiful mother. May she rest in peace and may comfort come to her family in knowing how many people cared! My best friend’s brother-in-law recently passed away after a quick and virulent illness, all too young and it is always so sad to lose a dear one. Your words have helped me with some thoughts and words to pass along to my friend & her husband, in this very difficult loss. Thank you!
Kristen,
You are such a blessing and I’m sure Mary Glen’s family is very thankful for all you have done and written about their beautiful mother. May she rest in peace and may comfort come to her family in knowing how many people cared! My best friend’s brother-in-law recently passed away after a quick and virulent illness, all too young and it is always so sad to lose a dear one. Your words have helped me with some thoughts and words to pass along to my friend & her husband, in this very difficult loss. Thank you!
So sad for your loss. It is so very difficult to lose one’s mother.
So sad for your loss. It is so very difficult to lose one’s mother.
Dear Tanya, I can understand what a kind angle you’ve missed since I had missed her before.
Dear Tanya, I can understand what a kind angle you’ve missed since I had missed her before.
My heartfelt condolences to Tanya and her family. May Mary’s spirit find peace and her family comfort knowing that she has finally found eternal peace.
Kristin you were most kind in sharing her story. We all feel her grief, a mother is a precious connection. Thank you for your sensitivity and love on this issue.
My heartfelt condolences to Tanya and her family. May Mary’s spirit find peace and her family comfort knowing that she has finally found eternal peace.
Kristin you were most kind in sharing her story. We all feel her grief, a mother is a precious connection. Thank you for your sensitivity and love on this issue.
Thank you, Kristi, for your beautiful expression of collective condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Thank you, Kristi, for your beautiful expression of collective condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
No one is ever truly ready to lose a parent, but a broken heart will eventually forge a fragile mend. I’m sending up prayers for comfort and love for Mary’s family.
No one is ever truly ready to lose a parent, but a broken heart will eventually forge a fragile mend. I’m sending up prayers for comfort and love for Mary’s family.
My heart goes out to Tanya and her family.
Thank you for expressing your caring thoughts; you bring such comfort with your words.
My heart goes out to Tanya and her family.
Thank you for expressing your caring thoughts; you bring such comfort with your words.
Dear Kristi,
Thank you for letting us know about Mary’s passing and for sharing the beautiful words you wrote to Tanya and her family.
Tanya and family–my heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my Mom many years ago and understand the pain of that loss. May those beautiful, loving memories you’ve all made together over the years bring you love and comfort.
Dear Kristi,
Thank you for letting us know about Mary’s passing and for sharing the beautiful words you wrote to Tanya and her family.
Tanya and family–my heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my Mom many years ago and understand the pain of that loss. May those beautiful, loving memories you’ve all made together over the years bring you love and comfort.
Dear Tanya and family, I have followed your story with a heavy heart my deepest sympathy to you all at this sad time, remember that you are the lucky ones you have a lifetime of wonderful memories to reflect back on and the knowledge of giving and receiving love.
Dear Tanya and family, I have followed your story with a heavy heart my deepest sympathy to you all at this sad time, remember that you are the lucky ones you have a lifetime of wonderful memories to reflect back on and the knowledge of giving and receiving love.