Kristena Tunstall

  • Home
  • Bible Study Quiet Time
    • Jen Hatmaker
      • A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study
  • Speaking/Webinars
  • Our Daughter’s Hospital Story
  • Blog
Kristena Tunstall > My Writing > In Response > True Friendship

Posted on November 20, 2008 By Mommy's Angel in Heaven

True Friendship

It amazes me how you find out who your true friends really are.

While she was in the hospital we asked people to pray for Mari to get better. And from there it became a snowball effect. We had people praying for her and us all across the country. I would not be surprised at all if there were over a half a million people who were praying for Mari and Keith and I during this time.

When Mari died there were tons of people who were there to support Keith and me. Anyone from family, to close friends, to people from Mari’s school (both past and present), to people from summer day camp (both past and present), to our military family, to our church family, plus many others we did not even know. Some came only to the wake, and some came only to the funeral, while others came to both. There were over 20 vehicles that went from the funeral home to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery near Joliet which was about 45 minutes to an hour away. And the vehicles did not just have one or two people in them either. Each and every vehicle was packed. It amazed me to see just how many people loved that 8 year old little girl and yet she did not even know it because she had such severe autism.

Before Mari died I had a friend whom I called my best friend. I have been there for him/her through just about everything you can imagine. When she/he got a call from one of Keith’s sisters to let him/her know that Mari died I never heard from him/her. I did not even receive a card from him/her to let me know he/she was even thinking about Keith and I. My friend did not call to find out how I was. She/He did not call to find out where the funeral was. Just nothing. I finally called my friend about a month after. I left a message and then she/he called me back later. I received a ton of excuses as to why he/she never called. I was incredibly hurt. A month later I still had not heard from my friend again so this time I left a message asking if Mari’s death was just too much for my friend to handle and that my friend just could not talk to me. It might have just been too hard for her/him to handle. I did not understand how this could be since I have always been there for him/her. I get a call back from my friend and he/she says this is just not the case. She/He, again, gave me tons of excuses as to why she/he did not call. I got off the phone with her/him and realized that the person whom I have called my best friend for years was never really my best friend to begin with. A true friend would be there for you no matter how difficult or hard the situation is. A true friend is supposed to be there for you in the best of times and in the worst of times. This would definitely be considered “the worst of times.” It now has been about 2 months since the last time I talk with this person. I have been incredibly hurt to know that someone I loved and cared about so much could just abandon me like this when I needed my close friends and family to be there for me the most. There is nothing else out there that compares to the loss of a child.

I am happy to say that there are other people who have been there for me beyond anything I could have imagined. Shelly is one friend that has been a privilege to know. She has been there for me through so much in the last couple of years that I have known her. She was there at the hospital on a Saturday when it was one of the worst days. They cleared out Mari’s room of everyone except me and I asked Shelly to stay behind with me. She just sat there rubbing my back as I fell asleep beside Mari in her bed. Thank you Shelly. Even my best friend from high school Sofia has been there for me even though she is 2,000 miles away from me back in California where I grew up. Thank you Sofia. Plus the many others that have been there for Keith and myself. You are so loved and appreciated more than you could ever know or even imagine. Just thank you.

 

Army Drill Team

November 21, 2008 Mommy's Angel in Heaven 1
I thought it would be neat to share this with everyone. There are not a lot of things that put a smile on my face here recently but I thought this was pretty neat. I wanted to share it with everyone so you can all enjoy it as much as…
 

4 Months...

November 20, 2008 Mommy's Angel in Heaven 0
It’s been 4 months since the loss of our beloved baby girl. 4 MONTHS!!! How can that be? It does not seem possible that just 4 short months ago we had made a decision to permanently take our daughter off of life support and let her go. Who would have…

signature
Post Views: 1,519

Related

Site Archives

  • ►2020 (6)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2018 (4)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►July (2)
  • ►2017 (15)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►March (4)
  • ►2016 (11)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►February (9)
  • ►2015 (22)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (5)
    • ►October (3)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (5)
  • ►2014 (221)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (6)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (28)
    • ►May (15)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (34)
    • ►February (30)
    • ►January (35)
  • ►2013 (346)
    • ►December (34)
    • ►November (28)
    • ►October (50)
    • ►September (53)
    • ►August (22)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (31)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (31)
    • ►February (28)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2012 (82)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (15)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (3)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2011 (46)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (6)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (19)
  • ►2010 (43)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (5)
    • ►January (3)
  • ►2009 (49)
    • ►December (5)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►July (2)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2008 (34)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (15)
    • ►October (8)
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter
My Tweets
Follow @MommysAngelHeav
  • Archives
  • Categories
  • Tags
Archives
  • ►2020 (6)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2018 (4)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►July (2)
  • ►2017 (15)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►March (4)
  • ►2016 (11)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►February (9)
  • ►2015 (22)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (5)
    • ►October (3)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (5)
  • ►2014 (221)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (6)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (28)
    • ►May (15)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (34)
    • ►February (30)
    • ►January (35)
  • ►2013 (346)
    • ►December (34)
    • ►November (28)
    • ►October (50)
    • ►September (53)
    • ►August (22)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (31)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (31)
    • ►February (28)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2012 (82)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (15)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (3)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2011 (46)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (6)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (19)
  • ►2010 (43)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (5)
    • ►January (3)
  • ►2009 (49)
    • ►December (5)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►July (2)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2008 (34)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (15)
    • ►October (8)
Categories
  • ►About Books… (22)
    • ►Book – The Unknown Door (3)
    • ►Book Reviews (5)
    • ►Featured Books (14)
  • ►Announcements (2)
  • ►Featured Posts (8)
  • ►Holidays (39)
    • ►4th of July (5)
    • ►Birthdays (6)
    • ►Christmas (6)
    • ►Easter (1)
    • ►Father’s Day (1)
    • ►Memorial Day (1)
    • ►Mother’s Day (4)
    • ►New Year’s (2)
    • ►Tax Time (1)
    • ►Thanksgiving (4)
    • ►Valentine’s Day (1)
    • ►Wedding Anniversary (6)
  • ►Interviews (2)
  • ►Miscellaneous (1)
  • ►Miscellaneous (6)
    • ►VotD (1)
  • ▼Mommys Angel in Heaven (246)
    • ►Featured Posts mommys (2)
    • ►Multimedia moms mommys (1)
      • ►Videos mommys (1)
    • ►My Writing mommys (10)
      • ►In Response mommys (1)
      • ►In The Moment mommys (4)
      • ►Monthly Blog Chain mommys (1)
      • ►Reflection mommys (2)
      • ►Stories mommys (1)
        • ►Nonfiction mommys (1)
    • We Miss Her So Much...
    • Tomorrow...
    • Time...
    • What does the word Mariana mean?
    • I Will Always Remember Mari…
    • Mommy's Dream
    • Memories...
    • Mari's World - Can You Just Imagine
    • Friendship at its best
    • Keith's Retirement
    • Loneliness, how it must feel
    • My Thoughts
    • Mari's Spirit
    • Communication, How Hard Is It Really?
    • 4 Months...
    • True Friendship
    • Army Drill Team
    • The holidays...
    • Stop and Think
    • Today...
    • What if I could have what I wanted
    • Letter from Heaven
    • A tribute from a very special teacher
    • A Dedication to Mariana
    • A Dedication to My Other Half
    • Praise You In This Storm
    • A Poem to Mari
    • Mari's Song
    • On our way to Hawaii
    • Time and How Precious It Really Is
    • A tribute to Mariana
    • Back from Hawaii
    • Mari's 9th birthday was today
    • T'was the Night Before Our Lives Changed
    • Our Angel In Heaven
    • Went to see Movie, It's wasn't supposed to be sad
    • Thank you for reading and listening...
    • What do you say to someone who has lost a child?
    • 6 months have come and gone
    • Sitting Here Dazed and Confused
    • Suddenly and Out of the Blue, It Hits You
    • Remembering Mari, how sweet it really is!!
    • Thoughts...
    • Preacakes
    • Posting Comments and To Those Who Care
    • Two Weeks and Two Days
    • The Value of a Mom’s Tears (or Dad's)
    • Can Two People Really Grieve That Differently?
    • 8 Months Have Come and Gone
    • Wonder and Confusion For What Life Brings Us
    • Mari's Crayons
    • Music of the Heart
    • To The Love Of My Life - married 15 years February 18
    • T'was the Night Before Our Lives Changed
    • Life In General...
    • Today is 8 months
    • Today has been a day
    • Marie’s Unrealized Dream
    • Loneliness
    • Comments and Feedback
    • Missing her...
    • Sitting in class...
    • How am I supposed to live my life without her?
    • "Held"...
    • Pictures...
    • Shopping...
    • It's coming...
    • Mother's Day is Here
    • Approaching 11 months…
    • A Mother’s Love Never Fades
    • When We Think of 4th of July
    • Time Keeps on Treking
    • Thinking about Mari
    • Justing Sitting Here...
    • Mariana: A Personality Exuded
    • The Unexpected Journey
    • T'was the Night Before Our Lives Changed
    • Thanksgiving
    • Bad Days They Come and Go
    • The One
    • Contemplating Christmas
    • HER FINAL DAY
    • Did you know that Angels are among us?
    • Mari's Hospital Story
    • Touching Souls Bereavement Photography
    • That Hideous Doctrine by John Thomas
    • 16 Years of Wedded Bliss, Could Anyone Ask For Anything More
    • To Feel Lucky...
    • The days, months, and years to come
    • Talking from the heart...
    • That Empty Spot
    • It's that time of year...
    • The dreaded deed has been done
    • Paperwork Junkies
    • Changes
    • I Died
    • Moving Time...
    • Mari's Dress
    • Just sitting here thinking
    • Love The One Your With
    • Iris and Kristena
    • It's time to get in shape
    • Strength…
    • To Lose Weight or Not To Lose Weight: That is the Question
    • Then it hits ya
    • Memorial Day
    • It Happens At the Strangest Time
    • Do you have any kids?
    • How quickly time flies before we realize...
    • New Page Added: Blogroll
    • Updated: Polls page
    • New Pages Added: Her Hospital Story
    • When life throws you a curve ball (man, all I wanted was a fast one :) )
    • Julie and Sylvia
    • New features added you will enjoy
    • Revamped our Guestbook
    • The Start of a New Day
    • July Sucks!
    • Tangible Things
    • Sitting here thinking...
    • Facebook...
    • An update...
    • Jackie Evancho
    • Driving...
    • several entries coming...
    • The struggles of life...
    • Unchoices
    • Marriage
    • Work at Walmart
    • Unfinished...
    • Harder to write these days...
    • "Out of these ashes beauty will rise"
    • Missing her...
    • Playing Games
    • Missing the imporant moments
    • The magic of love
    • Justin Bieber
    • Singing...
    • Find a new church home
    • Writing through tragedy
    • Seeing Mari again
    • Rules aren't meant to be followed right?!?!
    • Grateful for the little things in life
    • Winter
    • Keith's 40th
    • Super Bowl Sunday
    • Going on Business
    • Not again...
    • He's back...
    • I'm still amazed...
    • Mari's Book is Done
    • The Waiting Game
    • Women's Retreat first entry
    • Women's Retreat second entry
    • Women's Retreat third entry
    • Moments
    • Mari's book
    • Missing Her...
    • I am needing help...
    • The Tears of Mother's Day
    • A Special Sneak Peak
    • Updated chapters 1 & 2
    • New Possible Book Cover
    • Please let me know which book cover you like best
    • Updated the first couple of chapters
    • Moving forward with the book
    • Just sitting here thinking...
    • Life's Moments...
    • Changes in life...
    • Life's moments and other things...
    • Having Kids
    • Old and New
    • Things that happen
    • Exciting Times
    • Reflecting...
    • A Mother's Love
    • What does the word "savior" mean to you?
    • Monthly Blog Chain
    • Today kind of sucked for me
    • The innocence of a child
    • A hole in your heart
    • Becoming a Writer
    • Remember back...
    • Giving your life over
    • This Year's Ladies Retreat in Gatlinburg
    • What do we have to be thankful for?
    • It's kind of amazing...
    • Savoring every moment
    • You just never know...
    • The Unexpected Journey - Revised
    • Joy
    • Happiness
    • Writing Fiction
    • Having Pain...
    • What does it mean to nurture?
    • Needing prayer please
    • Hitting "The Mark"
    • Being Thankful
    • It's been 4 years...
    • A slight change to my fundraising
    • Memory, the good, the bad, and the bittersweet
    • Unexpected turns in the road...
    • Reflecting on Mari's posts...
    • Sitting here thinking
    • All in a picture
    • A Sad Day
    • "Oh that won't happen to me"
    • Special Unforgettable Moments
    • Something New (and hopefully exciting): A 365 Day Journey
    • Day 1: Switchbacks up the Mountain
    • Timing...
    • Day 2: Sacred Space
    • Day 3: The Holy Calling
    • Day 4: Choosing Story Over Relatives
    • Day 5: Getting Caught
    • Day 6: Daring to Tell
    • Day 7: Jumping Off
    • Day 8: The Voice that Chirps and Chirps
    • Day 9: Getting Permission
    • Day 10: Working Out
    • Day 11: Racing Hearts and Churning Stomachs
    • Day 12: Patience
    • Day 13: The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions
    • Day 14: Waiting for Pizza
    • Day 15: People in a Jam
    • Day 16: Exploding Typewriters, Smoking Computers
    • Day 17: Love Thy Reader
    • 19 Years Today
    • Day 18: Your Validation Posse
    • Day 19: The Five Characteristics of Good Writing
    • Day 20: Naked in the Hallway
    • KLove on the brain...
    • Our Father's Love
  • ►Multimedia (20)
    • ►Photos (4)
    • ►Slideshow (2)
    • ►Videos (12)
      • ►YouTube (7)
  • ►My Journeys (306)
    • ►365 Day Writing Journey (152)
    • ►A to Z Challenge (68)
    • ►A to Z Challenge mommys (30)
    • ►NaBloPoMo (56)
  • ▼My Writing (551)
    • ►365 Days (185)
    • ►Bible Study Quiet Time (93)
      • ►Jen Hatmaker (42)
        • ►A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study (21)
      • ►Priscilla Shirer (2)
        • ►The Armor of God (1)
    • ▼In Response (37)
      • Friendship at its best
      • True Friendship
      • Army Drill Team
      • A tribute to Mariana
      • Back from Hawaii
      • Mari's 9th birthday was today
      • Thank you for reading and listening...
      • Thoughts...
      • Posting Comments and To Those Who Care
      • Two Weeks and Two Days
      • Wonder and Confusion For What Life Brings Us
      • Comments and Feedback
      • Approaching 11 months…
      • Touching Souls Bereavement Photography
      • Changes
      • Iris and Kristena
      • Then it hits ya
      • Julie and Sylvia
      • Meeting Someone New
      • The struggles of life...
      • "Out of these ashes beauty will rise"
      • Missing the imporant moments
      • Writing through tragedy
      • Seeing Mari again
      • Rules aren't meant to be followed right?!?!
      • Not again...
      • A Scholarship Program in Mari's Honor
      • Having Pain...
      • Hitting "The Mark"
      • The "Softening"
      • A slight change to my fundraising
      • A Sad Day
      • Special Unforgettable Moments
      • KLove on the brain...
      • I had to share this: My Top 3 Spiritual Gifts
      • Knowing when a joke isn't funny
      • Thoughts, Reflections, and More (#bestill)
    • ▼In The Moment (149)
      • We Miss Her So Much...
      • Tomorrow...
      • Loneliness, how it must feel
      • Mari's Spirit
      • Communication, How Hard Is It Really?
      • 4 Months...
      • True Friendship
      • The holidays...
      • Stop and Think
      • What if I could have what I wanted
      • A Dedication to My Other Half
      • On our way to Hawaii
      • Time and How Precious It Really Is
      • Back from Hawaii
      • Went to see Movie, It's wasn't supposed to be sad
      • Thank you for reading and listening...
      • What do you say to someone who has lost a child?
      • 6 months have come and gone
      • Sitting Here Dazed and Confused
      • Suddenly and Out of the Blue, It Hits You
      • Remembering Mari, how sweet it really is!!
      • Posting Comments and To Those Who Care
      • Can Two People Really Grieve That Differently?
      • 8 Months Have Come and Gone
      • Mari's Crayons
      • Music of the Heart
      • Today is 8 months
      • Today has been a day
      • Loneliness
      • Comments and Feedback
      • Missing her...
      • Sitting in class...
      • How am I supposed to live my life without her?
      • Pictures...
      • Shopping...
      • It's coming...
      • Mother's Day is Here
      • Approaching 11 months…
      • When We Think of 4th of July
      • Time Keeps on Treking
      • Thinking about Mari
      • Thanksgiving
      • Bad Days They Come and Go
      • Contemplating Christmas
      • 16 Years of Wedded Bliss, Could Anyone Ask For Anything More
      • To Feel Lucky...
      • The days, months, and years to come
      • Talking from the heart...
      • That Empty Spot
      • It's that time of year...
      • The dreaded deed has been done
      • Paperwork Junkies
      • Moving Time...
      • Mari's Dress
      • Just sitting here thinking
      • Love The One Your With
      • Iris and Kristena
      • It's time to get in shape
      • Strength…
      • To Lose Weight or Not To Lose Weight: That is the Question
      • Then it hits ya
      • Do you have any kids?
      • New Pages Added: Her Hospital Story
      • When life throws you a curve ball (man, all I wanted was a fast one :) )
      • Julie and Sylvia
      • The Start of a New Day
      • July Sucks!
      • Tangible Things
      • Sitting here thinking...
      • Facebook...
      • A Day in the Life of a Grieving Mommy
      • An update...
      • Jackie Evancho
      • The struggles of life...
      • Unchoices
      • Marriage
      • Work at Walmart
      • Unfinished...
      • Harder to write these days...
      • Missing her...
      • Justin Bieber
      • Singing...
      • Find a new church home
      • Rules aren't meant to be followed right?!?!
      • Grateful for the little things in life
      • Super Bowl Sunday
      • I'm still amazed...
      • Mari's Book is Done
      • The Waiting Game
      • Women's Retreat first entry
      • Women's Retreat second entry
      • Moments
      • Mari's book
      • Missing Her...
      • The Tears of Mother's Day
      • A Special Sneak Peak
      • Having Kids
      • Things that happen
      • Exciting Times
      • Today kind of sucked for me
      • The innocence of a child
      • Remember back...
      • Giving your life over
      • This Year's Ladies Retreat in Gatlinburg
      • It's kind of amazing...
      • Writing Fiction
      • Needing prayer please
      • Starting to work on Mari's book again
      • Writing Mari's story
      • A book worth mentioning
      • Unexpected turns in the road...
      • Sitting here thinking
      • All in a picture
      • A Sad Day
      • "Oh that won't happen to me"
      • 19 Years Today
      • Taxes, Oh What Fun
      • Memorial Day
      • Birthdays
      • Laura Story
      • Missing my writing
      • I Can Only Imagine...
      • KLove on the brain...
      • My 365 Day Journey
      • Happiness and Finding It within Yourself
      • Moments Where Prayer Is Needed
      • Not For A Moment (Meredith Andrews)
      • Billy Graham and My Life
      • Been a little absent
      • Our website has an addition to the header
      • Seeing the Gift
      • Going through Mari’s stuff
      • Happy Birthday Mariana. You're 15 Today (or you would've been :( ) #acfw #lossofchild
      • Knowing when a joke isn't funny
      • Life's Too Short
      • It's Time to Stand Strong
      • Motivation... Or the Lack There of
      • Have You Ever Felt Lonely?
      • 5 Things to Find Happiness In
      • How Do I Get My Priorities Straight?
      • Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Job?
      • Do You Have Shiny-Object Syndrome?
      • Sharing My Struggle
      • Living Hope
      • Out of Control
      • Happy New Year #2020
      • #2020 - Looking Back
      • Thoughts, Reflections, and More (#bestill)
      • Loss… Then Blessings Abound… #believer #blessings #beyondgrateful
    • ►Monthly Blog Chain (3)
    • ►My Journeys (2)
    • ►Reflection (68)
    • ►S.H.E. Time (2)
    • ►Time (6)
    • Tomorrow...
    • Time...
    • What does the word Mariana mean?
    • Mari's Hospital Story
    • several entries coming...
    • Women's Retreat third entry
    • I am needing help...
    • Updated chapters 1 & 2
    • New Possible Book Cover
    • Please let me know which book cover you like best
    • Updated the first couple of chapters
    • Moving forward with the book
    • Just sitting here thinking...
    • Life's Moments...
    • Life's moments and other things...
    • Old and New
    • Things that happen
    • Reflecting...
    • Mari's Special Video
    • A Mother's Love
    • What does the word "savior" mean to you?
    • Monthly Blog Chain
    • A hole in your heart
    • The Unexpected Journey - Revised
    • Special Unforgettable Moments
    • On a temporary break
    • Was or Is?
    • Loss… Then Blessings Abound… #believer #blessings #beyondgrateful
  • ►Other Site Authors (2)
    • ►Clever Girl (1)
    • ►Mari’s Teacher Mrs. A. (1)
  • ►Poetry (32)
    • ►Athena’s (1)
    • ►Free Form (11)
    • ►Rhyming (7)
  • ►Songs (13)
    • ►Lyrics (6)
    • ►Music (5)
  • ►Stories (16)
    • ►Fictional (4)
    • ►Nonfiction (9)
  • ►The Journey (75)
  • ►Websites (3)
  • ►Writing (42)