Comments on: Goodbye, My Friend

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:29:06 +0000

Well said, heart felt, and timeless — I share you grief as I lost my dad about three years ago to cancer. I also wish that I had the composure and strength to say more to him during his final days — just couldn’t get all the words out. I always thought we had more time and then suddenly he was gone. Your thoughts and emotions will affect others and perhaps they will come closer to realizing a more lasting inner peace and closure with a loved one during their final days. Thanks for sharing yourself.

By: Eric Moss

Eric Moss — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 06:37:48 +0000

I’m so sorry for your loss. Live well and he can live through you. I don’t believe for a second that anyone really is gone, they’ve just moved on to bigger and better things.

By: jasonferruggia

jasonferruggia — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:35:35 +0000

Thank you all so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it.

By: Heather Odeh

Heather Odeh — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:56:31 +0000

Tat was so beautiful, made me cry. I don’t know you or Ed but you obviously loved him and he obviously was an amazing man! So sorry for your loss and will be praying for you and the whole family. That was an amazing eulogy for an amazing man. From one to another! Sending you love,

By: Shawn Phillips

Shawn Phillips — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:06:14 +0000

Jason,

Well done. What an brilliant tribute to a truly Full Strength man!

As I read your words, having lost my father in an all too familiar fashion, a few weeks after his 62nd b-day, I find myself thinking how Ed must have cherished having such a great man as you in his life.

What a powerful reminder that life is anything but fair, that every moment counts, that the only thing you really ever leave is your impact on those near you. So many lessons, so little time.

Thank you for sharing so boldly. I’m inspired and awake–which is what it’s all about. Now, as I sit here on a Sunday morning with my son and daughter, enjoying a cup of coffee and we build pillow forts (yeah, they’re still very young), I am reminded that it’s time to get off this machine and get back to the moment, to life.

Interesting, it was a year after my father’s passing that I was able to first share my thoughts… I share that post here. Not as rich or vibrant as yours in many ways, but certainly familiar…

http://www.fullstrengthlife.com/a-very-strange-year/

One thing I’ve come to know for sure in the years since my loss is that we never really lose them. We lose elements we cherish but the person Ed was to you lives inside you, clearly, and he’s always there to guide and support. You’ll feel it in amazing new ways every day.

To Your Life @ Full Strength,

Shawn

By: Brock

Brock — Wed, 12 May 2010 04:19:14 +0000

Hey Jason, I know this was posted a while ago so you may not even see this comment, but I just came across this article. I feel for you man, I lost my dad to leukemia just over 11 years ago (I was 15 at the time). He had coached all my sports teams, as well as my brother’s, in addition to working and travelling a shitload. Anybody who knew him would tell you I am damn near the same person. And to be honest, I still don’t know that I’ve come to grips with him being gone, even now, 11 years later. But I’m glad you got to tell your stepdad how you feel. I hope you have been able to cope and deal with your loss. I’m not real religious, so I don’t really pray, but my thoughts go out to you man.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:48:49 +0000

Jason, your tribute to Ed is beautiful and obviously deeply heartfelt. You’ve touched everyone who has read it.

Please don’t hold on to any regrets for words not spoken near the end of a beautiful life.

Instead bask in memories of all the happiness you enjoyed together. How blessed you both were, to have such a deep friendship!

It is clear to Ed that you loved him. All the great moments and experiences you had together are enduring testaments of that love, that bond. Rejoice in that.

By: benito

benito — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:36:47 +0000

i sorry about you lost bro .and god bless you familia and v strong

By: Michael Boyle

Michael Boyle — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:47:57 +0000

Jason- very sorry for your loss. Even in loss you are eloquent, I’m sure Ed appreciates your thoughts. Don’t regret, instead remember.

Michael

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:59:53 +0000

Hey Jason,

You don’t know who I am, and you probably won’t ever get the chance to read this. Regardless of those facts I still wanted to say that losses like these are more than people care to handle, and you’re a strong individual for displaying your feelings so openly. Whether you said what you had to or didn’t trust me the bond you share with someone as close as Ed can’t be expressed in words. I never forgave myself for not telling my grandfather how much I loved him before he passed, but later I realized there is no need for “final words.” People will remain in your heart throughout your life and beyond and vice-versa. He is smiling down on everybody whether you believe it or not. It won’t be easy to cope with this loss, but you will be a better individual because of it. You’re training methods re-vamped my collegiate football career, so I felt this was the least I could do for you.

Relentless is a state of being not just a word, and you know that better than anybody.

Stay Blessed,

Kyle Leslie