Comments on: Elena’s Voice

By: navtej kohli

navtej kohli — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:28:36 +0000

Daniel, I’ve been visiting this blog since last week since I stumbled across it and couldn’t resist coming here again and again. I share your joy! Simple peace to you & your family.

By: Pam Heath

Pam Heath — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:32:17 +0000

Daniel:

I have been reading your entries since you began. Today was the first time that I heard Elena’s voice on the radio. The piece was beautiful. You have such a gift in your ability to express how you feel with us all. Hearing your family on the radio was also very moving.

By: David

David — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:36:02 +0000

Well, I guess this will be short because it is late and I cannot think. I’ve been having trouble sleeping as I’m sure you can understand. It’s quite odd that I found this site, I wasn’t looking for it. My son passed away on Nov. 21st. It was unexpected, as it appears was in your case, although, honestly, I’ve only read a few of the posts. It seems that it’s been a long time since you’ve updated this. Anyway, I went to my wife’s blog, and someone had posted condolences anonymously saying that he found her site through twitter. He left a link to here thinking that maybe reading this would help. After reading a few links I realized that you live somewhere just down the road. I’m in South Euclid. Small world, I suppose. Anyway, if you’d be open to it, I think talking to you might help. I don’t want to talk to any psychiatrist or social work, they mean well, but, well, what can they really know about this. I’m not asking you to be a psychiatrist or social worker either. Hell, tomorrow I may have changed my mind. But right now I feel like reaching out. So, if you see this and are so inclined, drop me an email…. Well, I guess I’ll go and find something else to occupy my time until I become exhausted enough to fall asleep.

By: Chuck McKinnon

Chuck McKinnon — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:28:52 +0000

Thank you Daniel. The vivacity of her voice reminds me so much of my own daughter. Reading your experience has changed my perspective as a parent. I’m sure it’s slight consolation, but by sharing Elena with us you have changed the way we relate to our children. It’s a precious gift.

By: Arvind

Arvind — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:48:47 +0000

I don’t know what to say buddy!

arvind

By: Mary Kay

Mary Kay — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:00:17 +0000

I don’t know what to say- I was totally taken aback hearing Elena’s voice for the first time in over 20 months. I miss that sweet girl every day.

By: Jackie D

Jackie D — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:05:03 +0000

I’m so glad you’re back. I missed your writing, and I missed stories of Elena. Hearing her voice moved me so much. Thank you.

By: Paul Smith

Paul Smith — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:15:52 +0000

Go back to radio, Daniel. It seems to be your haven, that which you keep returning to, even when all the rest is coming apart. “People you’ve never met, but people you’ve come to know.” You were talking about radio, but I think this blog shows how integral this philosophy is to your whole life. Covering the CONs even fits this role.
The warmth of your voice, the intimacy of the words and stories, the comfort you can project for people who are complete strangers, and yet somehow friends. It also shows that it works both ways- you to us, and us to you. You need to communicate, like most others need to eat. And you’re good at it.
Go to your comfort place- go back to radio.
And let us know where we can hear you. I’d like to keep listening. It’s sort of gone beyond just Elena now, although she will forever be a part of it. Now I just want to know how my friend is doing. You’re just a friend I’ve never met.
-Paul

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:51:29 +0000

Daniel,

I am so very happy to see you updating this blog again. You’re experience, as horrible as it is, has helped me be a better dad.

I don’t know you, or any of your family, yet I think of you and your family often.

I want to thank you for this blog, and your fabulous essay’s on daily life both with and without Elena.

My largest thanks however, are reserved for you letting us come into your life, via The Public Radio contest.

I am not the greatest writer, I tend to be long-winded and ‘explain’ myself more than is necessary. I think that is more due to my propensity to not want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Having said that, I always wanted to be able to get a little ‘closer’ to you. Maybe its because I have two children of my own, 4 & 6 yrs. old, and what happened to you and Kim with Elena scares the heck out of me?

Maybe its because in some way, I wish I could hug you, and bring Elena back for you, and take away all your suffering?

You are obviously a very sweet, loving man, father and husband. The challenges you have faced have been severe. Yet through it all, you share everything with us.

I know that you write this blog mainly for ’selfish’ reasons, to help yourself and your family cope, and more importantly heal.

Yet, I want you to know, you have helped many of the readers of this blog be better parents themselves. ‘Selfishly’ for myself, I have learned so much about love and family, and what my children REALLY mean to me.

That is a lesson I will never forget. I thank you for that. Much love from my family to yours! Thanks again Daniel,
Steven, from Massachusetts.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:58:10 +0000

Precious girl. Sounds and smells, always take me right back.

Good to see you online again.