Comments on: Prayer, Fasting and Balloons

By: Margaret Young

Margaret Young — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:03:11 +0000

I just checked cjanerun, and there are photos of our launch. They’re lovely.

My daughter and Stephanie were frequently the stars of films made by my brother and Topher Clark–pictured on the pavilion roof. Now Topher has gone on to make real movies (see _Stalking Santa_), and my brother (married to DesignMom) just finished his PhD in education.

I was so touched that my daughter felt strongly enough about being present at the launch that she would attend three days after giving birth. There were remarkable moments of unspoken compassion (the balloons spoke for us) and there were sweet, sweet reunions.

By: Margaret Young

Margaret Young — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:50:02 +0000

My daughter–fresh from childbirth–and two of my grandkids joined me at Kiwanis Park. My former student (and still very good friend), Stephanie’s brother, stood on the pavilion to count down the launch. I have no idea how many balloons there were. Hundreds. Very few tears, but lots of hugs and smiles.

Go to the cjanerun blog for updates. Also, to help out and participate in a great giveaway, go to my sister-in-law’s blog (a famous one you should become aware of anyway) at http://www.designmom dot com.

By: Capt Jack

Capt Jack — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:17:56 +0000

I’ll be sending positive thoughts their way, Margaret.

By: Dalene

Dalene — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:49:26 +0000

Lovely post, Margaret You can find more info on the Provo balloon launch here (see Stephanie's brother Jesse's comment) and here. If you are not in Provo there are other balloon launches taking place as well. The Provo launch will take place at 6p.m.

By: Dalene

Dalene — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:26:40 +0000

Lovely post Margaret. You can find more info on the Provo balloon launch here (see Stephanie's brother Jesse's comment) and here. If you are not in Provo there are other balloon launches taking place as well. The Provo launch will take place at 6p.m.

By: Aileen

Aileen — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:39:12 +0000

Thank you for this. What a beautiful post and introduction to a family of true faith. I’ve just spent about 4 hours reading past posts on Stephanie’s blog, getting to “know” her and her family as one does through a blog, and now feeling the heartbreak for the pain that they are going through.

Thank you again for this reminder of faith in the eye of tragedy.

They will be in my prayers.

By: Margaret Young

Margaret Young — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:23:01 +0000

Finishing that sentence…
Apparently, there will be big hot air balloons in Stephanie’s hometown of Provo, Utah. Launching from Kiwanis Park.

By: Margaret Young

Margaret Young — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:21:41 +0000

Kaimi, I don’t know if you went to the blog, but indeed, red balloons are requested, though any color is accepted. App

By: Kaimi

Kaimi — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:04:25 +0000

Thanks for this post, Margaret. It’s a beautiful wish and idea. You’ve got me humming the song, now — ninety nine red balloons go by.

By: Ray

Ray — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:09:28 +0000

“Devastatingly beautiful.” What a wonderful summary, J. That is exactly what I wanted to say, but I could not have found that phrase.

Margaret, thank you. I know it’s a corny song, with a love-hate relationship in the Church, but there truly is beauty all around when there’s love at home – even in times of deep sorrow and pain. Our prayers will be with them.