OT - Prayer Request for 20-mo,old

[Karen from VA]

I hope I'm not abusing this list, but you all were so generous with your support in an earlier prayer request on this Board. I know I can count on you in this case. Sometime during the night, the 20-month old grandson of my husband's cousin wandered outside his family's Minnesota farm home into the freezing cold. Little Simon was found in a partially frozen state about 100 yards from the house at 4:00 a.m. when his parents awoke and found him missing. He is in serious condition and being treated in a Fargo, ND hospital. His body temperature was 69 degrees when brought to the hospital. This is a link to the story in the Fargo Forum if you're interested in more details. www.in-forum.com/pub/01232001/12086.shtml (http://www.in-forum.com/pub/01232001/12086.shtml)
Your prayers would be very much appreciated.
Karen

[sneezles]

Dear Karen
I am so sorry to hear about this little boy and of course I will pray for his recovery and his parents well being. Please keep us posted.

[Mousie29]

I"m praying for the boy and family

[SandyM]

My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

[donleyk]

Karen,

This is so very sad. I will be happy to pray for a speedy and complete recovery.

[phantomcg]

How awful! Of course I will add this little boy and his family to my prayers. Please keep us updated on his condition.

Cheryl

[Ohioan]

Oh, how sad. The whole family has my prayers.

Phoebe

[mightyh]

I'm praying for the little one. Please let them know of our support.

[Wendy w]

He and his family will be in my prayers as well.

Take care,

Wendy

[kendra]

I too send my best wishes to his family.

HOWEVER, I don't think this bulletin board is the place to post for prayers. We all know of people who are facing challenges and if everyone posted a request for a prayer, we would never get any information about food. I'm sorry and don't mean to offend, but I, like many others, came to this board to read about food, not send prayers to people. Let's try to keep to the topic at hand PLEASE! Certainly there are religious bulletin boards out there on other sites that can be used for this purpose. Again, I'm sorry and am not trying to be a grinch, but I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way.

[Laura]

I don't know Kendra. I am not offended but I think if the topic is entitled prayer or prayer request then those who don't want to open up that thread don't have to do so. We often have threads on this board that don't specifically relate to cooking. Many of us feel we have really started to develop online friendships here based on our common interests. I don't ever want to discourage any one from seeking my prayers for someone in need.

Karen, Please let the family know they are in my prayers.

[sneezles]

kendra
You don't have to read a post that is labeled with a subject you're not interested in. I think the majority of us on the board don't mind an occasional request for prayer. I myself feel that if someone needs support in that way those that want to help should have the opportunity!

[kendra]

OK, OK. I know that we don't always stick to food and have "online conversations," but I am just worried that we'll get too many requests of this type and the board will stray too far from food. Again, I'm not trying to mean, I was just suggesting that this particular bulletin board may not be the place. I guess I won't worry about it if no one else is since it's not a huge problem yet. Hope I didn't offend anyone, I just thought a religous board would be more appropriate. I guess I may be in the minority though. Whatever happened to separation of church and food http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif?

[lindrusso]

Many good thoughts and prayers to this little boy and his family.

[acorreia]

Karen,

I'll be praying for you and your husband's family. Prayer is the most powerful medicine..
-AC

[LenaS]

Well put Emily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BethR]

This story made me feel very sad and my thoughts are with this little boy and his family.

But like Kendra, I don't feel this is the appropriate forum to ask for prayers. I'm not trying to be a grinch, or eliminate every last bit of non-food-related discussion on this board. I also feel like I "know" many people on this board and regard them as friends. But I too feel a religious bb would be a much more appropriate place for this. True, those who aren't interested don't have to open prayer threads, but these large threads will still have their impact on the speed of the bb.

Perhaps Cooking Light itself should weigh in on this?

[HARRYET]

Karen,

My thoughts and prayers are with Simon and his family, as well as your family.


on the subject of this being OT, i think as stated earlier, you don't have to open a particular thread if you don't like (or are not interested in) the topic. but if it makes anyone feel better, i'll bring a lasagna to the family when they come home from the hospital with Simon. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Ann

[Beth]

Karen, how could our hearts not go out? Simon, his family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers. We should all also be aware that children can wake and wonder or sleepwalk.

Emily, DITTO! But I feel compelled to say more since I made the request before Christmas that I believe is referenced here.

I'm sure Karen would agree that such a request is not lightly or easily made. It was very hard for me to ask for help here, and I would not and could not if I did not feel that this is a community that I am a part of. I don't have a problem with someone who's been a member on this board for over 6 months and is approaching 100 posts, such as Karen, reaching out to fellow members and friends. I would have a problem if this were a mralamode (someone coming here just to make their post/request, etc).

I never would have gone to a religious board. I needed the support of my friends and community for the benefit of another. Thought and prayers to me are not necessarily a matter of religion, but of community. I was not looking for a prayer group, a sermon or a discussion on theology. I would not support that here either.

This board has gotten busy enough that I no longer read every thread. If this isn't for you, skip it. If it is, thank you for making the community stronger. If you are concerned about the speed of the BB, I have found that the amount of activity on the internet or the status of my own computer seems to have more to do with the board's speed that the number of posts here. Let's also then look at the discussions about DH's, SO's, parenting, software, who got their issue first, how do you organize things, requests for recipes that may be down the same page but no one looked, the same question that was asked last week and all the travel advise. I'm not saying get rid of them, just be fair and honest with yourself.

CL has provided us with a wonderful forum, for which I am grateful. I have referred friends here too. It is my hope they won't try to police the topics and take away both the sponteneity and community nature that make this board so wonderful -- unless or until there actually is a problem. Let's each think about what we post, respect the board, not abuse it and deal with a problem IF we have one.

I will get off my soapbox now and go pick up my four year old from preschool, give him a BIG hug and be grateful he is safe and warm.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 01-23-2001).]

[Beth]

Oops.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 01-23-2001).]

[Laura Wick]

Dear Karen from VA: We will remember Simon and his family in our prayer circle at the Women's Friendship Circle meeting on Thursday evening.

[Mamasue]

Prayers and thoughts are on the way! :-)

[Melina]

Dear Karen/VA:
You're not abusing this list. My thoughts and prayers are with Simon and his family.

Kendra:
If you don't like the subject, don't look.
You may not have wanted to sound like a "grinch", as you put it, but you certainly did. Especially in resenting the posting space that asks for help for a 20 month old
child.

[SueK]

All I can say is this---my thoughts and my prayers are with you and your famiy, because I can (unfortunately) relate to their pain.

I buried my father in November, and my grandmother was buried today. My grandfather is expected to not last much longer, which means that I will lose 3 very important people to me in less than 3 months.

I recall a post back in December where I mentioned about my dad passing away, and even though the post was about something else, many others on this board responded to me with their sympathies. That meant a lot to me.

I am looking forward to the CL trip in June, because I feel that I not only been lucky enough to run across a group of people who love to cook, I have run across a new group of friends as well.

Sue

[Lauren]

Karen from VA was looking for support from this BB. I agree with Sandy M. who said, "If you're not a religious person, then keeping these people in your thoughts, and sending well wishes, is good too." It is a very sad situation for Simon's family and friends, and Sandy from VA was just looking for support from this board. But, Kenda was just expressing her opinion, too, which is what this BB is all about. I think several of you have come down very hard on Kendra. I agree with the general opinion of skipping messages that don't appeal to you.

Sue K. - I am sorry for your recent losses. I'm sure today must have been very difficult for you and your family.

[This message has been edited by Lauren (edited 01-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Lauren (edited 01-23-2001).]

[CHRIST1NE]

Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with the family - what a tragic accident. Beth, I agree with your post 100%, I could not ahve said it any better!

[Melina]

Brava Beth, brava.

[Susann]

Karen,include my thoughts and prayers with everyone elses.

Sue, I am so very sorry for your losses.

[RUSTYSMOM]

You and your family have my prayers and thoughts. My heart really aches for you all!

[smpv]

Karen,

I just heard this story on the local St. Paul news. My husband and I started praying for him as soon as we heard it. Then I saw your note and I know God wants to remind me to continue to pray. We certainly will be doing that here.

Pat

[MrsReber]

Karen, with a little one on the way myself, I cannot even imagine what the parents must be going through. I hope it all works out and I will say a little prayer for the little boy.

[LenaS]

OMG what an awful thing - I cannot imagine anything worse. The young child is certainly in my prayers. Please keep us posted.
Sincerely
Lena

[SandyM]

If you're not a religious person, then keeping these people in your thoughts, and sending well wishes, is good too.

I look at this bulletin board as a community of friends, not merely a resource for food. I laugh with these people, cry with them, learn from them. I hope some day to meet in person.

As mentioned earlier, if you don't like the subject, simply bypass it.

[BarbaraL]

Karen, please know my prayers will be with Simon, his family and your family.

[emilycat]

I feel compelled to comment on Kendra's request to refrain from posting off-subject topics on the board.

On the contrary, I feel that what draws many of us here time and time again are not always the posts pertaining to baking methods and recipes (although they are a nice perk, aren't they? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ), but the occasional random posts (because they are far outnumbered by all the posts that are food-related) that either we can relate to or that merely strike our interests.

Take the post that Kim started, for example, on the decision to have or not to have children -- that was a dynamic debate if there ever was one. And if we never got off topic, we would never have started the joking around that led to the now-in-progress Cooking Light trip.

I realize that a board full of prayer requests is not exactly the point of this site, but I hardly think that everyone here would be so hopelessly addicted to signing on if it were "just a food board." I think one of the wonderful assets of this board is the camaraderie that's been developed, and if someone feels comfortable enough and values our prayers enough to ask for them, then I am happy to support that request.

Sermon's over http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 01-23-2001).]

[SusanL]

Karen-our warmest thoughts and prayers for Simon, please keep us posted. Those who wish to read the thread will continue to read it.
Sue K-our prayers for strength are rushed to you also, take care of yourself!
(I am abbreviation illiterate- what is OT? Thanks)


[This message has been edited by SusanL (edited 01-24-2001).]

[Mamasue]

SueK....my thoughts are with you too. It is difficult to loose loved ones and the pain will subside. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Robin C]

THey are in my prayers too.

[Karen from VA]

It's cold outside, but my heart is warm. What a beautiful and supporting group of people on this list.

A report on little Simon. He is hanging in there. He has pneumonia, is on a respirator and is being kept sedated, but he has regained consciousness for periods of times, was alert and fought the ventilation equipment. They will keep him sedated both for pain and until he can be taken off the respirator so that he won't fight it. He has serious skin injury, but will not lose fingers or toes. They are eager to be able to quit sedation so they can test his neurological response. Doctors say that survival from extreme hypothermia is extremely rare, so little Simon is most certainly being held in God's hands. Here's a quick link if you'd like to read more in today's report in The Forum (which is also my source of information). http://www.in-forum.com/pub/01242001/12198.shtml

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Thank you especially to Emily and Beth for expressing much better than I could my decision to bring this to the board. I very carefully worded the subject line so that it could be bypassed by those that wished, and I respect the opinions of those that disapprove. (SusanL, OT means "off topic"). Sue K, my thoughts and prayers are with you also in your losses. I lost my parents within a week of each other a couple of years ago, but at 99 and 93, although they are dearly missed, it was a beautiful way to go (married 73 years and never apart)and we could only celebrate their lives rather than feel a great sense of sadness.

Thank you again for your continued support. I will forward all of your replies to Simon's dad.

Karen

[sneezles]

Karen
Thank you and God for the good news about Simon. Will continue my prayers for them.

[BethR]

Originally posted by Melina:
Kendra:
If you don't like the subject, don't look.
You may not have wanted to sound like a "grinch", as you put it, but you certainly did. Especially in resenting the posting space that asks for help for a 20 month old
child.

*sigh*
I was very saddened to read this post. Please, please -- namecalling and accusations have no place on this board.

[Melina]

BethR and hhcowgirl:
You're right, the wording of my posting should have been a lot more tactful. The descriptive word "grinch" came from Kendra's own posting. I was so hurt by what she wrote, that without thinking, I took the most negative word from it and used it. Both of your responses to my posting have reminded me - again - to calm down and think before voicing my opinion. And I hope that my reponse to Kendra, even as tactless and cold as it was, will do the same for her. I'm sure she is probably a very nice person;
but maybe just like me, sometimes a little tactless. Again, thanks for the heads up. And my apologies go to anyone else that I may have disappointed.
Sincerely,
Melina


[This message has been edited by Melina (edited 01-24-2001).]

[Melina]

Hi Kendra,
My apolologies go to you too. You're as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.
It was the way I voiced mine that was a little thoughtless.
Sincerely,
Melina

[This message has been edited by Melina (edited 01-24-2001).]

[Melina]

Hi Kendra,
My apologies go to you too. You're as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. It was the way I voiced mine that was a little thoughtless.
Sincerely,
Melina

[Melina]

Hi Karen from Va:
Just wanted to let you know that, between composing apologies, I am still praying for little Simon. Thanks for the update link.
Ciao,
Melina

[Melina]

Hi Kendra,
I just realized that I apologized to you twice. I must have REALLY meant it!
Ciao,
Melina

[kwormann]

GLad to hear he is doing better. Thank you for reminding us that no matter what is in our lives, there are others with problems...puts things in perspective!

Kim

[sleepydisp]

I have a 6 month at home, My prayers are with you and your family! I hope everything turns out ok for them!! May his guardian angel be there with him!!

[hhcowgirl]

I agree with Beth. I think it is important that we remember that. I thought the grinch comment was juvenile and unnecessary--one thing that makes this board great is that everyone seems so comfortable sharing their opinions and if we reduce a thread to names and spurious comments, then I feasr that comfort will be taken away.

The little boy and his family are in my thoughts.

[Natasha]

Karen,
Of course you can count on me to add my best wishes for Simon. Thanks for the update.

[Kristilyn1]

Please continue to post on his progress. I think we all have the types of things that we consider "acceptable bypasses of conversation" on here. For whatever reason, people feel uncomfortable with the word pray and feel like they have to be against it.

Or that all of a sudden a bunch of in-your-face religious fanatics will show up and ruin the board. While I think that would certainly be a shame, I think it highly unlikely.

Having a 20 month old boy myself, this story has made me incredibly sad, but hopeful that there will be a happy ending for this little boy who apparently has a lot of fight in him.

Kristi

[KimKelly]

Karen, add us to your list of those who will keep the child in our thoughts and prayers! Since becoming a Mom myself it really pulls at my heart to hear of such stories. And it also serves to put the frustrations that I sometimes feel after a long day in perspective.

As for the second topic about posting items that are not food related on this board. I agree with some of the prior posts that I feel as though I know many of you and that you are friends. If I needed help, I would certainly go to my friends for support. I agree that the board should remain "mostly" food oriented as that is how it is intended, but I must say that I actually enjoy and look forward to the other posts. I have enjoyed learning where everyone is in life (ie, pregnancies, moves, home locations, vacations, etc). As was stated earlier, if you are not interested in a certain post, just skip it.
Perhaps... well.. this may be a stretch, if you know more about the poster, then you may have more of an understanding of where they are coming from with opions and recomendations of recipes??? Ok... I said maybe that was a stretch, but I want to keep this light! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Again, Karen, please hear our prayers as well and keep us posted on the outcome of the situation.

Kim and Family

[Cbyerman]

Simon and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers. He sounds like a strong little boy, and a fighter. These kinds of things remind me to hug my 14 month old a little tighter, and value each and every moment.

Caroline

[Shelly]

Karen, Simon will be in my thoughts too. I wish him and his family all the best. It is so very hard to see a child suffer, but it sounds like he is headed in the right direction. All that fight he has in him is a good sign!!
SueK - I can't imagine what you must be going through either; I am very close to my grandma, and now live very far from my family. Take care and hang in there http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Karen from VA]

Your prayers are being heard, but are still needed. Simon's condition has now improved from serious to stable. He has shown tremendous neurological improvement, but his pneumonia has worsened and he must remain on the respirator until that can be cleared up. Doctors are optimistic for his recovery, but long-term neurological damage cannot yet be determined. His father is most appreciative of everyone's prayers and says he is overwhelmed by all the support. He says that he comes from a big family, but it has gotten much bigger. BTW, this happened less than two weeks after Simon had been moved from his crib to a bed.

Thank you again, you wonderful people, for all your thoughts and prayers. Here is the link for today's Fargo Forum update. http://www.in-forum.com/pub/01252001/12331.shtml

Karen

[sneezles]

Karen
Thanks for the update. Just wanted you to know that this family is constantly in my thoughts and prayers, I have asked everyone I know to remember little Simon.

[donleyk]

Karen,

Please continue to keep us updated. The upgrade, although to serious condition, is welcomed news. Our continued well wishes and prayers to him and his family.

[SusanD]

How sad for this poor little boy and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them!

[kendra]

Me, tactless? Not to worry - I understand and respect everyone's reaction. Freedom of expression is our right. And I realize that I chose the wrong email to complain about being off the subject. It has nothing to do with the request or praying or anything about religious fanatics as was suggested. It has to do with the fact that I really do come to this board to talk and hear about food and healthy living. As someone who has been using this board for the past year, I can see how much it is being used now, which is great. But at the same time, it is getting more and more off the topic.

And yes, it does matter when looking at the board if there are tons of off topic emails, as it takes longer to load, even if you decide not to open a particular thread. Things also move really fast down the board if there are lots of irrelevant emails. There are also more pages to load and my computer is not the fastest.

I got on the board earlier this week after being off for a while, saw another post off topic and reacted. The email request for prayers just happened to be at the top and that's what I commented on. I'm sorry it was perceived as being meanspirited, but that was not my intention. It was not just this post that was off topic - there ARE many others. This board, although offering the many benefits of a community, I think should be focussed on food and healthy living. I am not saying that conversations about one's hardships, whether or not to have kids and how old a child must be before you leave it alone aren't interesting, I'm just saying that perhaps this is not the place. (And please, whoever wrote those emails, don't take offense - I don't want to cement my reputation as the board grinch!)

I understand what everyone says about this place being a community, etc, etc. And I don't mind some of the threads that start off about food, but stray a little bit from the subject. Ones that start off completely off the subject are the ones that I think should be someplace else. Or maybe start your own email exchange with each other rather than using the board. Email Karen directly and let her know your prayers are with her. As I said before, it is not a huge problem yet, so I won't worry about it too much. But I do worry about the future of this board as it become busier and busier and topics become more and more off topic.

I obviously feel that this board should be used for food primarily, while (apparently most) others think that all topics are open for discussion. The fact that I chose to comment on this on this particular thread was a misguided and rash decision and I apologize, but I still feel that this board should stick primarily to food and healthy living topics. THAT was the only message I was trying to get across and not trying to say anything mean at all about this tragedy.

Whew! I hope I didn't dig myself into a deeper hole, but wanted to explain how I felt. And if I'm in the minority, that's fine. You all have a right to your opinion as I do to mine. A healthy debate is always a good thing.

[Karen from VA]

Update on Simon. He is still on a respirator and in serious condition with pneumonia. His frostbite is healing and doctors are still hopeful. Here is the latest update from The Fargo Forum. http://www.in-forum.com/pub/01272001/12589.shtml

Thank you for your continued prayers and concern.
Karen

[Tiger]

Karen- Hang in there! My son spent time on a respirator and 2 months in intensive care. It's a long road, but he's now a healthy 4yr old. No one would ever know by looking at him what he's been though. He's the joy of our lives!
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Better days are ahead.

[Beth]

Thanks for the update. My son's teacher's husband was in critical condition and on a respirator with pnuemonia and a collapsed lung for a couple of weeks. He went home still on oxygen. I know it's not over, but he is doing so well and I have to believe he will continue to do so. Children can be so resillient. Will continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

[Karen from VA]

GREAT NEWS ABOUT SIMON! Yes, I'm shouting! He's off the ventilator, recognizing everyone, watching videos and doctors predict a full recovery. His condition has been upgraded to Satisfactory and he may be released from the hospital later this week. Thank you again everyone for your thoughts and prayers, and thank you Lord for hearing them. Here's the latest link: http://www.in-forum.com/pub/01302001/12800.shtml
Karen

[SandyM]

Yay!!! Our prayers were heard!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[phantomcg]

What wonderful news! I got a really warm feeling reading that article. Thanks for keeping us updated Karen.

Cheryl

[donleyk]

Karen,

Everyday Simon and his family has been in my thoughts and prayers. This is such wonderful news.

[sneezles]

Karen
Such wonderful news! I now have tears of joy! Will say prayers of thanks.

[MrsReber]

Karen, that is wonderful news!! His parents must be so very happy, too! Thanks for the update. I am so glad to hear that he's going to be okay.

[Mamasue]

Karen.....great news! The power of prayer! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Susann]

How nice it is to hear such wonderful news!

[Melina]

Dear Karen/Va,
I just read your posting about Simon together with the news link. YES! YES! YES! My very next thought and prayer were one of grateful thanks.
Melina

[Laura]

That is awesome! Thank you for the update.

[GayeC]

I have been away for a while and just read this entire thread today. I am so thankful that this child is recovering miraculously! Both of my sons tended to be "wanderers" when they were younger and I constantly feared this sort of thing. So hearing about a child who actually wandered off, and then became so ill, brought tears to my eyes. I am so thankful for the power of prayer and will be praying for Simon's full recovery.

[Karen from VA]

This is a duplicate of how I answered another thread, but wanted to keep this thread updated. This is a note that I got from Simon's dad this morning.

"Thank you for all of the prayers- they truly worked. Simon is doing
great, we are not able to detect any problems, he is talking (throat is a
little sore from the ventilator that was in for 6 days), he is acting the
same (a little tired). We have been told that he will be out of ICU this
afternoon and will probably be home at the end of the week. It is truly
amazing....."

Thank you all again for your prayers. You have all been a part of a miracle.

Karen

[Karen from VA]

One last report on Simon. He's home. The following link contains a picture of him leaving the hospital.
http://www.in-forum.com/pub/02062001/13395.shtml

[Beth]

Karen, a quick thanks for joyful tears and tingles on a day that has really needed them. I'm so happy for Simon and his family and glad to have shared the experience.

[phantomcg]

What wonderful news!!!!!

Cheryl

[sneezles]

This is great news!

[MrsReber]

Karen, might be these raging hormones, but this whole story- especially the ending of the last article- brings tears to my eyes. That is so wonderful that he recovered so quickly. Nothing short of a miracle. He must be a pretty special little boy.