i'm writing to express my sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your daughter. i cannot imagine your grief, and i have tears in my eyes, and i don't even know you personally, only through this forum. we are all together as a family when we share grief. <BR> <BR>i also have a guardian angel who has saved me from several tragedies . . . so i believe in what you are believing right now. <BR> <BR>you are here for many reasons, though none may be clear just yet as you work through grief.

A final note. Last night, an e-mail arrived from our late daughter's husband. Our daughter was 37 when she contracted her cancer and was 45 when she died in September, thus having eight years to prepare her own child for her coming death. When our son-in-law told our grandchild (now age 10) about our brush with death in the crash of Egyptair 990, the child said, "I'm glad God let Mommy die when she did because Grandma and Grandpa would be dead now." And we think kids can't see things clearly! <BR> <BR>So as you travel, think of this: there are others traveling by your side who carry their sorrows in silence. Make allowances for their behavior if it grates on you, and be thankful for the opportunity you have to see God's world in all its many forms.

My our Lord and Savior bless and keep you. I hope your ordeal has brought you closer to Him and My wife and I hope to see you all when we're all HOME!!

Al, <BR>Your story brings tears to this traveler's eyes. You have a very smart, loving, grandchild with a generous heart. God does indeed work in mysterious ways but God is good all the time. May His blessings continue to rain on you.

Dear Al, <BR>I hope you and your family will take comfort from the thoughts and prayers of the many of us who were saddened by the untimely loss of your daughter and touched by the tenderness and generosity with you shared your story. How lucky she was to have such a family to remember and celebrate her life. <BR> <BR>I am reminded of a poem by James Michener, that inveterate traveller, which seems fitting for this forum at this time. It is titled L'Envoi. <BR> <BR>My ship is set to sail to seas unknown <BR>The bo's'n calls my name and I must go. <BR>The bird to guide us on our way has flown <BR>Enticing me to ports I do not know. <BR>Myself when young did eagerly explore <BR>And never stopped till I had reached the moon, <BR>Trod Gobi's sands and heard Zambezi's roar, <BR>Spied Bora Bora in her snug lagoon. <BR>I dream of all the glories I have seen <BR>Karnak and Thebes and Angkor, treasures three. <BR>Great Himalayas with their peaks serene <BR>And blood-red Petra steeped in mystery. <BR>The gods who shared such wonders in the past <BR>Have surely saved the very best till last. <BR> <BR>May God bless you and your family.

Dear Al, <BR> <BR>My condolences to you and your family in the loss of your daughter. I can't imagine losing a child as I have no children. (My recent loss of my Uncle brought me closer to my father). Your one comment, "So as you travel, think of this: there are others traveling by your side who carry their <BR>sorrows in silence. Make allowances for their behavior if it grates on you, and be thankful for the opportunity you have to see God's world in all its many forms," is a great reminder to us all that there are other people in this world besides ourselves. Thank you and God bless you and your family. Monica

Dear Al and Ruth---we send you our warnest hugs and deep felt love. You have been encouraging and helpful to us on travel planning and we now give you our encouragement. <BR>Watching my wife's 93 year old mother's dementia stealing the last threads of her humanity makes us appreciate life-right now. It can leave so quietyly. <BR>Our love, Marcus and Jane <BR>

My sincere sympathies to you....and blessings at the same time.... <BR>Yes, God has work for you to do yet...there's a reason.

Al <BR> <BR>I am another stranger across the world from you who wants to express the very deepest sympathy and sorrow for your loss. <BR> <BR>And also to say thanks for your guardian angel who kept you with us. <BR> <BR>Warmest Regards <BR>Kavey <BR>

Deepest sympathy on the loss of your child. Your warmth and sincerity on the web is almost startling in today's web of quick, non-real-life posts. I, too, thank your guardian angel.

Al, your words seem to have touched a lot of people and made them think about the priorities in life. Maybe that is part of the reason you are still with us. I know my wife and I think differently when we travel, since we now have a daughter of our own. Thanks from all of us.

Al, <BR> <BR>My condolences to you and you son-in-law and your granddaughter. Your daughter is in heaven watching over you... <BR>I,too, believe in Guardian Angels. Mine is my Aunt Gloria. She passed away from cancer 4 years ago. I know she is there... <BR> <BR>Kittie <BR>

I'm sorry my friend.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. <BR>John and Byrd Rish <BR>

Al: leave room in your garden for your Angel to dance... <BR>

Thoughts are with you and your family. <BR>Sorry for your loss...

Al, An amazing story, it left me speachless. You truly are a lucky man, something good always comes of tragedy. <BR> <BR>My deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss and Good luck in the future.

Al <BR> <BR>I have just recently started to enjoy this wonderful forum. Nevertheless, it is incredible how fast you get the feeling of knowing the people who write about their wonderful moments while they are travelling. <BR> <BR>I have enjoyed your valuable advices, and I think your terrible loss has made you even wiser, giving us the opportunity to hear from you once again, with probably the most important lesson you have taught us: <BR> <BR>ENJOY LIFE! <BR> <BR>My condolences, <BR> <BR>McH

Dear Friends: <BR> <BR>My tale is not over. A few evenings ago, my wife and I were at a community event. A woman that neither my wife nor I had ever seen before came up to me. She introduced herself and said, "I know you are a woodworker. Would you make me an angel?" <BR> <BR>She did not ask for a hobby horse, or a doll's house, or anything of that sort. She asked for an angel. <BR> <BR>I asked her why an angel and why me. She said, "I do not know -- the thought just came to me. I saw you two and something told me to talk to you, and I said the first thing that came into my head." <BR> <BR>Now you figure that one out. Incidentally, I finished the angel today.

Dear Al, <BR>I was so sorry to hear that you lost your daughter. I have been checking this forum for over a year and have come to feel that I know you. You have been so generous with your advice and your posts have been both informative and entertaining. My prayers are with you and your family. I am grateful to your Angel for keeping you with us. <BR>Leslie