I know this is a little off topic. But it just happens to be that I spend more time reading dvinfo.net than just about anything else on the web, and I feel like I've gotten to know some of you guys, Dylan, Sean, Bradley, Mike, Lorinda. Okay, so Lorinda's not a guy...

My little baby girl, Caroline, went uncredited in my last short. My wife pointed it out when she watched the video. She has been telling me that I take for granted my beautiful children. She's probably right.

Today I had to say goodbye to my newborn son, who never got to open his eyes to the world. Maybe his gift will be to help his father open his eyes to all the beauty that passes our way every day.

Normally, I'm kind of a private guy. Computers and all that stuff. But I just felt like sharing this with someone. You guys are the nicest people I don't really even know, so there it is.

My next short will be dedicated to the little guy.

Samuel Chapman Mays

It is hard to know how you feel after I am sure many expectations from you for your newborn.
I have three sons 23, 20 and 18. The youngest just graduated from HS and just then I realized I have no more kids. They now are my sons. In a way I find myself in similar dooldrums about the realization this home will be quiet and somewhat lonesome. I don't know how I could handle losing any of them especially after getting to know them as persons and the pride they have brought me since birth.
I am truly sorry and I hope that you find a little less hurtful way to deal with your loss.

So sorry to hear this sad news, I don't know what else to say....

I too lost a little guy. I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your wife.

We are your friends, and we do share your grief. I also have three sons and would not want to loose any of them. You and your family will be in our prayers.

Mike

Hey man, that's terrible news. I'm not great at inspirational stuff, so the best I can do is send my condolences to your family.

Dylan

I'm not sure what to say, having never been through anything like that before, but you and your family have my sympathies nonetheless; I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Really sorry to hear that.

My deepest condolences. Sometimes it's difficult to comprehend that even in this day and age, there is still a very big problem worldwide with infant mortality rates. Best wishes to you and your family,

Dick:

I was sorry to hear about your recent sad times. Sometimes we take our own children for granted, and don't recognize how lucky we are. God bless you and your family.

Dick,

I am so sorry for your loss. The video you are making for him will be a wonderful way to keep his memory alive within your family. And your note to us reminds us of how fragile life is here. I will say a prayer for you and your family.

Leslie

sorry for your loss...that's heart-breaking news.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

We are sad, but we also feel blessed to have held our little boy, and if he could feel anything, it would only have been love.

Someday, one of the filmmakers on this site will shoot a feature winning the Sundance Jury award, and will leave us for a calendar of Talk Shows and Premieres. But the rest of us will take some pleasure in having known him/her before the fame. Just knowing someone is a blessing.

It seems to me, that life is all those little things we take for granted while we are planning for our great success.

I'm drinking wine tonight, so pardon the pensive melancholy!

When is DVC 6?

Dick,

Why is it that such sad events bring us to such universal truths? When my mom was alive she always told me "this too shall pass" - and she used it for both the happy and sad of life. I'm glad I told her she was right while she was alive!

I would love to see your video when it is done.

I think I will join you in a glass of wine - a toast to your son's memory and brief (but significant) life.

Leslie

my son Tristan was born on 6/19/05 and passed on 8/30/05. He was only with us for 72 days and though the world went on as if nothing was happening, my world was rocked. He was/is my only child and having to make the decision to take him off the ventilator was the hardest thing I have ever done. I got to hold him as he passed and as cliched as it sounds a little of me went with him. The only thing that you can do to honor your little man is live well and know that you will never forget him.

Oh, Dick...

I just got home from a five-day trip and found this heartbreaking post from you. I am so very sorry about your sweet son.

You are correct; even though we've never met face-to-face, I feel like we're friends--we've sure laughed together, and I think it's only fitting that we go through sad times together, as well. I'm just sorry that you are having to go through this sadness.

You've certainly been a blessing to me and to lots of folks here. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Dick,

We are your extended family. Not just the DV challenge folks, but all of us here at DVINFO.NET.

Even though I haven't entered in any DVC (partly because I am a mod here), I want to tell you that I am truly remorseful at seeing news such as this. All we can really do for you since we are stretched around the globe is put your family into our thoughts and prayers.

May you and those closest to you take comfort that our collective 'virtual' arms are outstretched to embrace your family in this time of grief.

Perhaps in a few days you can print this thread out for your family to read as well.

Peace be with you,

Greg Boston

He was only with us for 72 days and though the world went on as if nothing was happening,

Patric, you went through an even tougher experience.
And you are right, the world does seem to go on.

Most of us have experienced the loss of a loved one. And it does seem like a big, unfeeling world out there sometimes. I think it is only our friends that keep us sane on this little island called earth.

Enough maudlin reflection! Bring on DVC!

Dick, I too have nothing I can say that would reflect the feelings we all have over something like this. Some people question their religious values, some hold them tighter. All I can say is that you should remember you have friends and have their warmth and support to help in times like these.

Honestly, I feel powerless to help with situations dealing with loss. I just don't have the words to make it better. Just realize we are all pulling for you and your family.

My best to you and the family,

Sean McHenry

Mr Mays:

Losing a child is a parent's worst nightmare. The most devastating experience a mother and father can have. Although I have no children, I have seen, first hand, through my work, what it can do. I hope to God never to see such a thing again and I pray that everybody here never experiences this. Ever. Our children are supposed to bury us at a ripe old age. Not the other way around.

Mr. Mays, I am sorry for your loss. May your grief be short and may your family swiftly know success, great abundance and happiness from this point forward.

God Bless You.

Dick, Patrick,

I don't really like to talk about my private life, but after almost losing my second daughter, I can understand the ordeal you both have gone through.

Without going into details, the doctor said that if I had not brought my wife at that time, I might have lost our child and wife during birth.

Both are fine but it was agony during labor and the weeks following the birth.

I am glad to see that member's of DVinfo, who may have never met other besides this forum, are there for members. It's great to see support for you both.

Everyone deals with their pains differently, but realize that you have friends here and they are like family.

Dick, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My wife and I lost our first child at birth. He would have been have been 16 years old next month. What should have been the happiest of moments was turned completely upside down. I remember feeling as if someone had just kicked the wind out of me. It was difficult. Time has healed my wound somewhat, but it has not gone away completey. My son is always with me.

As E Patric said, I honor my him by being the best man I can be. I also promised myself that I would be the best father possible to my future children. While I am not a perfect person, I believe I have accomplished both of those goals. I now have two daughters.

My thoughts are with you and you family.

Deepest Condolences. children are our most precious asset. I too, sometimes take mine for granted.

Dick,

My condolences to your family and I hope that you recover from this tragedy. I look forward to seeing your next DVC submission, untill then god bless you and your family.

Dick,

My deepest sympathies for you and your wife's loss. I understand, too, what it's like to take life (and those closest to you) for granted and then suddenly suffer the consequences for it. It's a long and painful process, but one where you eventually come out stronger and wiser. I truly hope for the best for you both.

Kindest regards,
Ed.