1987 - 1998
 

If you are feeling lonely, it is only natural. But it will pass in time. If you are feeling helpless, then here is, perhaps, the worst part of it. Knowing we can do nothing. We can't tell mum and dad and have them fix it. We can't hire someone, we can't wish it away, we can't do one solitary thing about it but live through it. If you're blaming God, don't. Each of us has a day picked out, and when that day comes, it is inevitable.
Ace's day came.
- Shirley

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes.
A farewell is necessary
before you can meet again.
And meeting again after moments,
or lifetimes,
is certain
for those who are friends.
- Richard Bach

Death is just the beginning of a new journey.
- Vin
Know that he was loved, felt loved, and lived well BECAUSE OF YOU. He knows, I have no doubt, that you would have given your life to save him if you could have.
- Gary

Just imagine he were able to send you one message. I think he would say "Thanks for loving me, for caring for me, for holding me nights. Feeding me when you knew I probably had had enough. For thinking about me and for being willing to give whatever it took to make my life happy. I am sorry that I chose to roam that night, but it was in my nature, and you ever allowed me to be myself. I miss you, but we will catch up to each other later. Until them, know I am happy and okay.
- Gary
As I said, it's up and down, and you will find unless people are spiritually inclined, they will not understand a wit of where you are coming from. Learn to be sensitive to that and don't waste your time trying to communicate with them - it will end up of frustration and disappointment for you, and they'll end up backing away.
- Shirley

It will get better, but not straight away. It seems like it will never get better, then one day you realise it has. Remember, the ashes are only the physical bit of what is left and not the important bit at all. You need to lift your soul to the spirit levels and let it run free in the Universe. Let go the attachement to the physical husk. Right now you are in a dark place, but look for the glimmers of light.
- Shirley

These animals we fill our lives with are the most precious, unselfish and unassuming personalities we ever come across in this life. They are not LIKE family, they ARE family.
- Gary

Don't feel guilty about any impatiences you might have felt with Ace. You are human as well.
- Shirley
 
I am sorry to hear how rough your days can be. It is not unexpected, you know that. It is not unique, or weird. It would be weird if you didn't grieve. Someone who spent so much time with you, and was such an intricate part of your life, is physically gone from you.
- Gary

You are very upset. I think because he was your solace in all your tribulations you are now confronted with everything all at once now he's gone.
- Shirley
Only people who have experienced loss can understand what it is about. Friends may try, but you can't make them what they've not learned. They will try and put a time limit on when you should be getting over it. You will get past it when you're ready to.
- Shirley

I think death is such an individual impact that no one can understand fully how it affects each unique individual. Only the person involved understands. Maybe this has to do with our own emotional commitments and how deep they go.
- Vin
If you think what Ace would say to you if he could speak to you now, my guess is he'd say "don't sorrow for me, I'm okay and you gave me a wonderful life. Now I'm in a place where I can help you to have a wonderful life, so when you're ready, I'm here as your guide.
- Shirley

There are stages of grief we all go through. It is inevitable, and, it is human nature. You are somewhere between guilt and denial and you are starting to realise the big change in your life is permanent.
- Gary

You are working through the stages of grief, just let them come and you will pass through them. The feeling of pointlessness is quite the normal and it too will pass in time.
- Shirley

It won't all be uphill once you start climbing out. You do backslide, but each time you get a little higher up. Be patient with yourself.
-Shirley

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.
- Richard Bach