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| * The Story of Tom and Jenny Kern | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 23 2012, 10:03 PM (14,165 Views) | |
| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:20 PM Post #16 |
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Monday, May 9, 2005 1:13 PM CDT I'm at school again. I have not had time to get our home computer fixed so I am doing everything on my school computer. I went to take the computer in today, but the business was closed. I'll have to try again tomorrow. Mackenzie's two proms went well, but it is nice to have it over. She turned 17 last Friday. Her friend Nikki and I had a surprise party for her. Other than not having her dad there, she said it was one of her best birthdays. She did go out to his grave for a while on her birthday. She goes out there probably once a week. I'm glad she sets aside time to go out there and talk to him. Alexa's dance recital is this weekend, and she has a dance competition the weekend after that. Then she will be done for the school year. She might do a volleyball camp this summer. She may also do the summer theater production "State Fair". Connor just finished his spring hockey league with a record of 7-2-1. He scored 5 goals over the last 5 weekends. He really enjoyed it. Tonight he starts baseball and is getting into the swing of swim club. He loves being a busy, busy kid! Tori is enjoying swim club and is starting to show an interest in other sports. She wants to sign up for a basketball camp and a softball league. She is also very excited that I have agreed to take Connor and her to California in June to visit Tom's brother Bob. All of these activities plus my job and household responsibilities have really gotten me down. Friends have helped me out with some of the running, but even decision making is overwhelming. I am looking forward to being done with school on May 27, so I can have more time to get household stuff done. I know I will probably be down at least through the anniversary of Tom's death on June 12. I just have to remember to take it one day at a time and give the rest to God. He has gotten me through all the down times before, and I know He will do it again. Thanks for listening, caring, and praying. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:21 PM Post #17 |
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Friday, April 22, 2005 2:36 PM CDT I have a few minutes to write while my students are in music. Our home computer has a virus, so I have had a lot of difficulty doing any computer work at home. At school I have very limited time at the computer. My trip to Florida was great. It was wonderful to only take care of myself for four whole days. Thank you Mom for inviting me to go. Thank you Jim and Linda for allowing me to stay with you. We continue to have many ups and downs. A couple of weeks ago I had a first - I didn't cry for an entire day. It didn't last long because I am back to crying every day. As we get closer to the one year anniversary, I am feeling sadder and sadder. May 1 of last year was when he really started going down hill. It was also the same day as Mackenzie's prom last year. Tomorrow she is going to the Buffalo Lake-Hector prom with a friend. Next weekend she is going to the Hutchinson prom with a friend. I think the Hutch prom will be harder because there will be so many similarities to last year, except we won't have Tom. The kids are getting involved in their spring sports. Mackenzie, Connor and Tori are starting High Tides Swim Club on Monday. Connor is finishing with a spring hockey league and will be starting baseball soon. Alexa is finishing volleyball, and dance goes until the end of the school year. She isn't sure what she wants to be involved in this summer. We are all ready for the end of the school year. I t been an exhausting year. Mackenzie just called and told me that the washing machine is smoking! What next! There have been so many things that have gone wrong in the past three weeks that are things Tom usually took care of. I don't want to deal with these things. There are so many ways I miss him that I never imagined. There have been many times that I have wanted to quit, but I can't. Trying to deal with the kids grief on top of mine has been hard, but I'm glad I have them to make me keep going. I need to get my students so I have to go. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. Yes, Karp, I got your e-mail. You're right - Heaven is our dessert and the best is yet to come! Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:21 PM Post #18 |
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Monday, January 31, 2005 12:38 AM CST I'm sure some of you are saying, "Finally, a new journal entry." I am too. I'm also saying, "Finally, things are getter a little better." Christmas was very difficult. However, I wasn't prepared for the weeks following Christmas. I'm not sure why, but they were worse than Christmas. There was a lot of anger in our house. We were all yelling at each other. We had a family meeting the middle of Jan. to try and get back on track. Then I made the kids go to a grief camp called Camp Amanda. It is for kids in grades K-12 who have lost someone significant to them. Tori was the only one who wanted to go. The other three did not go willingly. I dropped the kids off on Sat. and picked them up on Sun. When I asked Alexa how it went, she said "Awesome!" It was good for the kids to meet other kids that are feeling the same things they are feeling. They made some friends and exchanged some e-mail addresses. I'm so glad I made them go. Tori has become quite a writer. She recently drew a picture and shared this writing with me: This is a hart. It's brooken...Because there is someone missing. The zigzags are the brooken pesas. I wonder what is missing? We have mom, Tori, Connor, Alexa, Mackenzie. But wear is Dad? She writes in her memory journal quite often. She writes poems and stories. After Camp Amanda, Connor wrote in his memory journal for the first time. He was so proud to show me that he had written two pages. Until that time, he always wanted me to write in his journal for him. I know he wishes Tom were here to watch him play hockey. He is loving it and has scored two goals and had two assists. However, he is disappointed his team hasn't won any games. Mackenzie and Alexa continue to be typical teenagers. Which is tough enough, without adding the death of your dad on top of it. Many of our friends are trying to do all they can to help each of us through this. We are so thankful for all their help. Alexa just had the performances for "Bugsy Malone". She had a great time. Tom would've enjoyed seeing her sing and dance. We are all proud of her. I actually have something to look forward too. Each year my parents visit their friends in Sanibel Island, FL. This year my dad decided not to go, so my mom called me to go! In two weeks I am going on a vacation - without my kids! I'm looking forward to relaxing on the beach and reading a good book. The waves of our emotional ocean continue to build and crash, and we praise God that He is there to catch us when we crash. We are thankful He provides us with the relief of calm waters. We are finally seeing some calm waters these last few days and hope that we see many more to come.Thank you again for your continued support. It means so much to us. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:22 PM Post #19 |
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Thursday, December 16, 2004 4:26 PM CST I am at school right now; waiting for my students music program to begin (that's why I have all this time to write). It didn't make sense to drive a half an hour to spend two hours at home to drive half an hour back. So I just stayed and got school work done and updated this website. It is so nice to be able to write and know that I will not be interrupted 10 times! I keep thinking that I am going to have to end this website soon. But I find that journaling here is very theraputic for me, and it is a good way to keep people informed about how we are doing. I haven't decided whether or not I will send out Christmas cards. It depends on time and how I feel. Maybe I'll send out after Christmas cards. I also think I am going to update this at least every two weeks, and yet here it has been one month. Where does the time go? First of all, it went to Mackenzie's swim meet. The Hutchinson Tigersharks are State Champs for the second year in a row! Mackenzie didn't have her greatest meet, but we are still very proud of her. The 200 freestyle was her strongest event, but she didn't make it back for finals. She said she was too nervous. After that race, she calmed down and did much better. She placed tenth in the 500 yard freestyle (an event she didn't even swim last year). Her 200 freestyle relay finished seventh, and her 400 freestyle relay took first! Now she can relax and get a job! The time has also gone to Alexa's dance and play practices. Fortunately, her dance competition and recital are not until May, so I just have to make sure she gets to practice. "Bugsy Malone" will be performed at the end of January. She also decided to try J.O. Volleyball starting at the end of January. This will be a new experience for us. Connor's hockey also takes up a lot of time. Practices three nights a week and a game once a week really bite into your time. One of Tom's softball friends has been taking care of getting him to and from practice. Thank you so much, Jeff. That is a big load off my shoulders. Tori is the only one not involved in any organized activity - thank you, Tori! She does love to get together with her friends and asks me constantly for a friend to come over. Many people kept telling me to do something for myself. I thought about this a lot. What is it that takes my mind off of everything and lets me just enjoy? How do I manage the kids? I finally came up with an answer. I like to watch high school sports. Mackenzie and Connor do too. Alexa and Tori sometimes stay home. We have gone to football, hockey and basketball games. I know it seems like it is just more running, but if you think about doing something you enjoy, it's not running- it's fun. Just as important, it takes my mind off my sadness. I wish Tom were at the games with me, but I feel him there. This is something we would've done together - you all know how much he liked sports. The holidays have been hard. I think about Tom constantly. My emotions change so fast, sometimes I feel like I'm spinning. Many of you have left messages on my answering machine or stopped by the house to find that I'm not home. Every day is busy and now I'm trying to squeeze in holiday shopping. I'm sorry I haven't been around, but thank you for trying. In August I was at a teacher's workshop . I was wondering why I had agreed to attend this workshop because my brain was not ready for this. I met a woman who told me she was 43 and lost her husband to cancer in January. That's why God sent me to this workshop! She invited me to a widow's group which meets once a month in Minneapolis. This group has been a Godsend (literally). All of our friends, family, church, community, and even strangers have been wonderful through this whole ordeal, but these people have been there. There is something so comforting about talking to someone who is walking in your shoes. You don't have to try to find the words to express your feeelings because they already know. Even though this journey SUCKS, I can see God's hands all around me working to help us through this. I want to thank you all for being God's loving hands in our lives. Merry Christmas and keep in mind what is really important in life - friends, family and faith! Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:23 PM Post #20 |
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Monday, November 15, 2004 6:29 PM CST We are feeling a little bit UP these days. Last weekend Mackenzie had the Section Swim Meet in Morris. The team took first for the tenth year in a row. Mackenzie placed third in the 200 yard freestyle, second in the 500 yard freestyle, and her two relays were first! She will be going to State in all four races. We were very proud of her. It was especially difficult because Friday was the five month anniversary of Tom's death. Each month on the 12th is tough. Hopefully, one thing she is learning is how to make it through adversity. The other kids are hanging in there. Nights are the hardest on all of us. It is difficult to get to sleep, and they often want to talk about Tom. Alexa keeps busy with dance and the play. Connor is enjoying hockey. In fact, tonight he is at the Excel Energy Center playing hockey. I don't remember the exact details, but Hutch Hockey Association was able to get some ice time. So anyone who wanted to could go down there and participate in open skate or pond hockey. However, I am just realizing how involved hockey is. Until now it has just been a couple of practices and a scrimmage a week. I just received the new schedule! Lots of games and tournaments. Fortunately, the parents have been great about helping out with rides. Tori is done with gymnastics and is just interested in playing with friends. Even with all these fun activities going on, I still find it hard to be UP for very long - especially as we near the holidays. It's hard to imagine these next few weeks without him. It was a year ago tomorrow that we got the call that he had cancer. What a difference a year makes. I'm trying to think of a way to make the holidays different or special - I don't know what. I am finding that I'm not crying as much, but I seem to be sad most of the time. It helps to know that we've made some progress since June, and hopefully next year we can look back and see that we've made even more progress. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We coudn't make it without you. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:24 PM Post #21 |
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Monday, November 1, 2004 9:39 PM CST We keep plugging along with many ups and downs. This was Tom's favorite time of year - cooler weather, watching football games and Mackenzie's swim meets, coaching Connor's football team, getting pumped for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is so hard for me to enjoy these things without him. Tom and I used to watch the Hutch football games together and talk about the plays. He would be so proud to know that Connor's flag football team was undefeated this year (of course they weren't suppose to keep score, but if you know Connor - he always knows the score!). He would also be proud to know that at the True Team State Swim Meet Mackenzie took three firsts and one third! He would like to see Alexa in the Middle School Musical "Bugsy Malone", and watch Tori at gymnastics. I know he is still watching all of us, but it isn't the same as having him sit right next to me and share our thoughts about our kids and how they are growing up so fast. I want to hold his hand and give him a hug. I want to watch him stuff his face at Thanksgiving and listen to him complain about how much his stomach hurts because he ate too much. I would even love to have an argument with him just to hear his voice. I took so much for granted, and yet if he hadn't died I probably still wouldn't appreciate him as much as I do right now. Even after his cancer, and we realized how special life was and appreciated each other more, life still has a way of robbing that from you with the stresses of everyday life. There are parts of every day that are good and parts of every day that are bad. Night time is particularly hard on all of us. We let our guards down, and we lay awake thinking about him. And we cry. These next few weeks will be tough as the kids come to the end of the trimester and Mackenzie comes to the Section and State Swim Meets. We pray for good sleep, good grades, and good times (swimming times!). Thanks for your prayers and continued support. Many of you have sent e-mails to me, and I love getting them. I wish I had more time to respond to each of them. This website is the best way that I can try to keep up with correspondences with all of you. I have saved your e-mails, and I am hoping that when I get some spare time I can respond individually. Until then this will have to be my means of communication. Thanks again. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:24 PM Post #22 |
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Tuesday, October 12, 2004 3:06 PM CDT Today is a hard day. It was four months ago today that Tom died. This morning a couple of Mackenzie's friends brought over flowers for her. She takes each anniversary hard. We know that our sadness changes with time. The more time that passes, the less severe the sadness and the more time between meltdowns. Our schedules are busier than ever. This is probably the busiest time of the entire school year for us. Mackenzie is getting close to the important swim meets. Alexa has dance and confirmation. Connor is finishing football and starting hockey (They overlap for a couple of weeks). Tori is in gymnastics. By the end of November, half of these activities are over! My class is starting to get into the routine of school, so my day is going a little bit better. I'm finally able to see a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to all the business aspects of Tom's death. It will be nice not to start out business conversations with, "I'm calling because my husband died." It is so emotionally draining to deal with the business end of death, in addition to the day-to-day sadness. However, I continue to see God's answers to prayer in the little things: a goodnight sleep, a productive day, business dealings taken care of swiftly, a meal at the end of a hectic day. God is taking care of us. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:25 PM Post #23 |
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Monday, October 4, 2004 3:26 PM CDT Again I apologize for not writing more often. My computer was finally up and running during Sept. I think about writing a lot, but I don't actually make the time. School,work, activities, and housework are keeping us very busy. We have also had some meltdowns. Some of the kids and I have taken a few days off of school/work. Sometimes the pressure is too great. Mackenzie, Alexa, and I went to Chicago for a weekend to get away. We visited my college friend Ann and my Uncle Andrew's family. It was nice to have some down time to just relax and think. I was having trouble deciding what I was going to do about work. It was too overwhelming at the start of the school year. I have had many of you praying for God to give me an answer, and He has. I decided to take it one day at a time and not take a leave of absence. If I fall apart one day, I will just take that day off. Tomorrow is a new day. Mackenzie has had a hard time too, and that is what she is going to do. It seems as though we are all strugggling. I know we have a lot of support, and there really isn't anything anyone can do about our meltdowns. It's just something we have to work through. We are looking into some counseling. Last weekend we went to Gustavus for homecoming. There was a memorial service for all the people who have died this past year that have a connection to Gustavus. It was nice to see some friends there, watch football, and go out to eat at Whiskey River (where Tom and I met). This is something we did almost every year. It was also difficult because Tom wasn't there. Today feels like a good day. I have gotten a lot accomplished (still working on business papers and phone calls). Hopefully, we'll all start having more good days than bad. The prayers help, so keep them coming. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:25 PM Post #24 |
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Monday, August 30, 2004 4:02 PM CDT I haven't written for a long time for two reasons. One - I have been very busy. Two - My computer has been unworkable for most of the month of Aug. In fact, I am writing from my school computer right now. Hopefully, I can get my home computer working soon. I don't have much time to write today because I have to get my room and schedule ready for Wed, (the first day of school). I would like to ask for continued prayers because the kids and I are very stressed and down right now due to the beginning of the school year. I know many of you think and pray for us often. Thank you. Please keep it strong! I'll try to write soon. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:26 PM Post #25 |
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Friday, July 30, 2004 8:04 PM CDT I'm sorry it has been so long since I have written, but I have been so busy. I thought things would have slowed down by now. I think the whole robbery thing kept the activity level high. There is no news about the robbery. The police are still working on it. People have been wonderful. The Lamplighter (a local restaurant) also held a benefit for us by donating 10% of their sales and 10% of the tips one day. People we don't even know have sent donations. We have been blessed. I have been down lately. Last Tuesday was our anniversary. The kids and I joined my mom and two of my brothers at Valleyfair for the day. Tom loved going on rides, and I didn't want to be home and sad. We had a good day. The weather was perfect. That night laying in bed was hard. Nights are always hard. Ever since then I've been more emotional. It used to comfort me to know that he wasn't in pain anymore, he was in Heaven, and he was our guardian angel. Even though I know those things, it doesn't help me anymore because I just want him back. Also, even though I have a great support system and lots of friends, there is no relationship that equals that of the one you have with your spouse. Your spouse knows you better than anyone else. You can say things to them that you can't say to anyone else. I miss that. Tom and I were together for almost 22 years. I will never have that kind of history (college memories, wedding, children, jobs, etc.)with anyone else. There are little things all over the place that remind me of him. Some things make me laugh, but mostly they make me cry. Yes, I will laugh again, but I'll never laugh the way he made me laugh. Oh, how Tom could make us laugh. I know I will get through these down times, but they will also come again - fewer and farther between. The kids don't allow me to stay down for too long. The kids are doing well. We talk about Tom a lot. Sometimes happy thoughts and sometimes sad. They continue to journal at night about their memories of him. Just when they think they don't have a memory, something happens to give them one. Mackenzie just returned from a 10 day mission trip to Mexico with our church. She's not sure she wants to do another one after no showers for days and temps over 100. I won't ask her until next year. Alexa is performing in "Footloose" this weekend. She doesn't want it to end because she loves the cast. Connor doesn't have much down time between all the Twins games, campouts, lake outings etc. He is done with all his sports. Tori is gearing up for her 8th birthday. She starts telling us what she wants for her next birthday as soon as her current birthday is over. Those of you going to the Gustavus Football golf outing please have some laughs about Tom. I know he would have laughs about you! I wish I could be a little mouse in the corner and hear all your stories. I'm sure you are all glad that I'm not! I wish I could say that I will update this more frequently, but I can't promise anything. As I look at the calendar, we still have a pretty full summer. We appreciate all of you keeping us active and involved. Thanks for everything! Love, Jenny and kids |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:26 PM Post #26 |
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Thursday, July 8, 2004 11:40 PM CDT The benefit went well last night. They served around 750 people. It was good to visit with so many people. Unfortunately, something bad happened during the benefit. Someone broke into the church safe and robbed the church. Some of the money in the safe was our benefit money that was put in there because the cash box was full. Some money was offering that hadn't been deposited and some was memorial money for someone else. If any of you gave money before the benefit started your cash/checks are definitely gone. If you wrote checks, you need to contact the church (320-587-2093) or cancel your checks at your local bank. Our pastor said if you tell them you are cancelling your check because of a robbery, they don't charge you to cancel them. It is sad that something that was so kind is now marred by something bad. We still have some money - all the silent auction money, bake sale money and some of the supper money. I told the kids that I hope the person who stole it needed it more than we did, and whatever money we receive is more than what we had before. Other than that, I am feeling better. After my weekend of tears, I am feeling a bit stronger. Sometimes it helps to just let it all out. Yesterday was hard because I was so moved by the generosity of others. Today I only cried twice! I know it will be a roller coaster ride, but I am thankful for all the people God is putting around us to help us through this. Chuck Day let me know there have been many visitors to the new web page (http://kernsws.home.comcast.net). He put some nice pictures of Connor's baseball game on there. My dad put a picture of Connor and some of the fish he caught at my parents' house on this website (caringbridge). Thank you to both of you. The kids are doing well. They are talking more about their thoughts and feelings. We sit up at night sometimes and talk about Tom. We say things like, "If Dad were here he would say ...." It helps them know it is ok to talk about him. They are keeping active. This Sat. Connor will swim in his first swim meet here in Hutchinson. He asked to be in it, and he is very excited. (And to think that at the beginning of the season he didn't even want to be in the swim club!) Then on Sun. night he has a baseball game. Mackenzie is spending the weekend with my brother Ben. He is taking her to the Basillica (sp?) Block Party! I've already given him strict instructions, and he better follow them! Alexa and Tori are just hanging around here for the weekend. Alexa keeps busy with play practice every night. "Footloose" is July 29-Aug. 1. Tori keeps busy by playing with friends. Well, it's late so I'm going to bed. Thanks again for your love and support. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:27 PM Post #27 |
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Saturday, July 3, 2004 4:56 PM CDT It hurts so much. All I want is for Tom to hug me. For two weeks my head knew he was gone, but this week my heart and body began to feel it. Each day it hurts more and more. I know this is part of the healing, but I want it to stop. The kids activities help take my mind off of it for a while. I'm glad the kids are talking about Tom's death more. I was worried that they were keeping a lot of emotions bottled up inside. I'm thankful for the memories some of you are sending me. It helps me to laugh at things Tom said and did. I miss his humor. Today I'm going through the house and organizing the many piles that have accumulated over the past couple of weeks. It's good and hard at the same time. I'm so thankful that God has surrounded us with so many good family and friends. We will continue to rely on you in the difficult days to come. You each have so many different, wonderful gifts that help us in many ways. I think I will end the caring bridge web site in about a week. Chuck Day has created a web page for Tom, so I can continue updating for anyone who is interested. He said he has already put some pictures on there. Here is the address: http://kernsws.home.comcast.net Thanks for your concern and support. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:28 PM Post #28 |
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Saturday, June 26, 2004 7:30 PM CDT Life continues to move forward whether we are ready or not. Again, God's timing is perfect. The week Tom was in the hospital and the week of the funeral the kids hardly had any activities. This week our schedule was packed. It was a good thing because it kept me from being sad all the time. Mackenzie is still involved with swimming. Alexa is in "Footloose" this summer. Connor is doing football camp, swim club, and baseball. Tori is in swimming lessons and bible school. We are continually amazed at the generosity of our family, friends, and community. People are always checking to make sure we are being taken care of. I know many of you were here for the visitation/funeral, but if you are interested in seeing us again, please call and stop by. We would love to see you. Thank you for sharing your memories of Tom. I know some of you are not ready to do that yet. When you are ready, I would like you to either put them on this website, e-mail me at tjkern@hutchtel.net, or send them to Sue Severin (20213 150th St., Hutchinson, MN 55350). Sue is going to compile the stories and make books for the kids and me. I'm not much of a computer guru, so I am going to see if someone can help me put a couple pictures on this website. I should have done that earlier, but I just didn't have the time. Day by day, we are surviving. God gives us strength or shoulders to cry on. Keep in touch. Love, Jenny |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:28 PM Post #29 |
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Saturday, June 19, 2004 5:45 PM CDT I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to us to feel the outpouring of love through your presence at Tom's visitation/funeral or cards sent to us. We couldn't believe how many people care about and support our family. I am only sorry I didn't get to visit with more of you at the visitation and funeral. Last night when I looked at the guest book I couldn't believe how many people I didn't even know where there, let alone get a chance to visit with. We will never get tired of the hugs or of people telling us what a great guy Tom was. I know some of you have shared memories already of Tom on this website, but I will take as many as you can write. The memories are what keep us going. The kids and I have started writing in journals every time we have a memory of Tom so we will never forget. Today Tori said she didn't have any memories of Tom. Then a few minutes later, she was telling a visitor that her dad used to say, "Ooo, Ooo," whenever he pinched her butt. I told her to write it down right away, so when she is 20 years old she can look back and remember all those things about her dad. My heart breaks for my kids because of all the things Tom won't physically be a part of. On my picture board there is a picture of Connor playing baseball,and Tom is standing right behind him. I told Connor that Dad will always be right behind him watching everything he does. The years ahead are going to be very tough for us without Tom. I know you have all said you would be there for us, and I know you will be. I don't want to see this website end because it means so much to us to read the words of support and your memories of Tom. I will keep writing for a while, but I know we will all go back to our daily lives and get busy with other things. I just want you to remember what Tom's brother Mike said at the luncheon after the funeral. What was important to Tom(and should be important to us all) was family, friends, and faith. Thanks and Love, Jenny and kids |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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| 30yrAddict | Nov 18 2012, 10:30 PM Post #30 |
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Free at Last
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Sunday, June 13, 2004 9:33 AM CDT Tom Kern passed away last night at about 9:15pm. He was surrounded by family and friends who love him dearly. He died peacefully. Thank you all for the support and prayers. Arrangements are pending. |
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"Hey, snowflake, don't take a seat in the life raft if you are not serious about saving your life." - Scowick65 "Never again- For any reason" - Ready | |
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9:04 PM Jul 10