Comments on: Absolution

By: John Hull

John Hull — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:17:31 +0000

Good job! This is a true life’s lesson that I, among many, need to take to heart. Thanks!

By: Michael Sommermeyer

Michael Sommermeyer — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:26:26 +0000

I always think back to my regrets, and fail to see the best times. It would be easy therefore to constantly ponder the mistakes and the regrets and punish myself for those sad times in my life. To seek revenge or punishment to the countless people who have wronged me in someway.

Then I read something profound like this and realize why we need forgiveness; not just to make ourselves feel better, but to allow those people with similar regrets to obtain peace. Letting go releases the fear, hate and bitterness, and allows the universe to heal.

Ike, save this essay someplace on paper so you never loose it. You deserve to read it again someday, as do your children. There’s a lot of wisdom here and I thank you again for making me take some time to reflect on my life and my relationships.

I’m glad I found you.

By: cindy ryan

cindy ryan — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:17:30 +0000

Okay, you’ve got me thinking back to people from my own past that I had issues with while growing up in Utah.

My throat is a bit tight, and the eyes are burning … I know that I can’t change the past but I can re-frame the way I see it today. More charitably, I hope.

I now have a better understanding of the social media I’ve made fun of so often.

Thanks for the insights, as always.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:16:38 +0000

That is nice. Here’s a profit (OK, and holiday inspiration, so two-for-one) opp: Someone should compile about 100 one-page stories like this from people who’ve had similar experiences (I know I have). It *could* be an “All FB” thing (then you sell it to FB to promo themselves) or it could, maybe, be separated into, say .. five mini pieces . . divided by: What? Type of social media used? Nature of reconnection / connection / answer finding experience? . . . Intriguing.

By: Dayngr

Dayngr — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:15:56 +0000

What a beautiful use for social media. Thank you for sharing your story, thank you for sharing Scott’s story. You are both in my prayers.

By: Nancy Boyd

Nancy Boyd — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:26:29 +0000

Six degrees of separation may divide us but they also connect us, in ways we may not always anticipate.

Just being alive in this world, we influence others. Guess it’s time we all think about what kind of influence we want that to be, next time someone riles us up real good, or next time we want to hurry past another living person who is clearly suffering.

Ike, I salute your courage to write this. You’ve touched a lot of people today ~ from your heart.

We could use more connections like this. If everyone reading this takes away one way to show up in life with a little more kindness or generosity, Scott’s life will have even more meaning.

Funny how that works sometimes.

We don’t always get to know.

But we do get to decide what it’s going to be.

I know I will be making some even more mindful choices from now on.

Thanks, Ike.

By: Anjali

Anjali — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:21:06 +0000

That’s a very deep blog post, and I find it amazing that Facebook was used by his family to convey the sad news and track the condolence messages…I’m sure they gave them some comfort. Thanks for sharing the story.

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:16:15 +0000

Glad I saw Steve Olson’s Tweet about this.

By: Evan Keller

Evan Keller — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:27:02 +0000

Profoundly moving.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:54:56 +0000

Forgiveness. Forgiveness heals us and helps us move forward, I believe it does more for the one doing the forgiving than the one who is asking for it. It seems like you were over this long before he was. I’m glad it was on his mind and hope it made him a better person. However, sometimes, people need to let go of things and get on with their lives and let everyone else get on with theirs as well.