Thursday, July 23, 2009

Gunnar Strum


Gunnar, you are one of the most beautiful young men I've ever met.

I wish you had not died yesterday.

I wish you had been able to continue to grow into the wonderful man, husband and father that you would surely have been.

Your compassion, sparkle, kindness, wisdom, understanding, empathy, courage, manliness, athleticism and spirit will inspire us, but we will miss seeing them as they were uniquely expressed
in you.

You are already missed, and you will continue to be missed.

I hope you and Hayden are together now. I hope you will find Katie.

I will do my best for your mom.

With love,
Karen

Gunnar's mom, Kathleen, has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Gunnar Strum's memory to the American Cancer Society's Camp Goodtimes.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, no. I'm so sorry to hear this. Gunnar and his family are in my prayers.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so heartbreaking. I have no words....

Najia said...

I stopped by here to see if another vacation post had made it up, but I found this instead. Makes everything else in life so very small, no? I am sorry for your friend and her family, and I am sorry to read that such a vibrant young human has died. So unfair. So very unfair. May he rest in peace forever now. Sweet boy.

I hate cancer.

Jason, as himself said...

Gunnar seems like he was such a wonderful guy. I am so saddened that another family has to go through what you are going through.

Some day this madness will end.

Elizabeth said...

I read your local newspaper account of this tragedy and feel terrible for you and your friends. My God, my God -- my prayers and love and strength go out to you. I know that you will be of comfort to them because God is with you.

Stay strong and much love to you, as always.

Karyn said...

Omg, I am crying... this is so sad. I can't believe they lost two sons. So horrible. My thoughts are with them.

Karen said...

Tragic and devastating. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all. What a beautiful young man.

Pam said...

I searched to read the story. Too sad. Sometimes I just don't understand (shaking head, wiping away tears)

Praying for you and for the Strum family!

Heide said...

Oh, Karen. I'm so sorry. I found an article online about this dear family, and my heart is with them indeed. Gunnar and Hayden are certainly in each others' arms once again, but what heartache and sadness for Mom and Dad. Tears. Hugs to you, my friend.

~Heide
m/o ^Jessica^ (Forever 17) & Jake (18)
http://caringbridge.org/visit/jessicarandall

Anonymous said...

I was prompted by the postings to also look up the story - so tragic. I am praying that the family may have strength to bear it and that their friends will stand by them and support them, even if it's difficult to sometimes know what to say.

Irene

Anonymous said...

There are no words.
Just tears. It is unfathomable.

Lakeland Jo said...

very sad indeed. He sounded like a lovely young man.
He is in heaven at peace with his brother.
Praying for mum and dad

AnnDeO said...

There are no words. My heart aches.

pysanki.blogspot.com said...

He sound like a truely remarkable young man. It sounds like he touched many in his short life.

Jennifer Stumpf said...

i'm so sorry, karen. to say that life and death is a total mystery is a sad understatement. that we don't know the why's of the grand picture wrenches the heart all the more.

Gannet Girl said...

I could not even write after I understood that Gunnar was the second of two brothers to die. The pieces of my own broken heart go out to his family, and my prayers are with him and his brother and their parents.

Renee said...

Oh no Karen I am so sorry.

I am so sorry.

Thank you for your meaningful comments.

Love to you dear Karen.

Love Renee xoxo

Laurie Brandriet Keller said...

I am saddened by this ... but your friend, his Mother, is in good hands with your support and tenderness. Love to you. xoxo.