Kevin Gourley Photography
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Reflections Guestbook Postings
Name:Susan Chancellor
Date:11/13/2009 11:53:14 AM
Comments: Kevin, these are truely special memories. I was very touched and chills ran through my body as I read along. Since I know your family, I too could imagine all of you at Disney World.

But, being a past member of your Sunday School group, I can appreciate the vision of the "gift shop" in heaven. If you don't mind, I too will look for your there.

Love to you Gail and the girls.

Susan
Name:Richard [Dick] Bates
Date:7/16/2009 3:05:22 PM
Comments: I was led to this site from the email, every child needs a family. Now, after reading your journaling and Debbie's post, I am awed at your talent and obviously, it reflects who you really are. It makes me realize how superficial many of our contacts in life are. You give such substance to the arena of death and dying. I find your reflections most enlightening and comforting as I try to work through my grief over the loss of Jane. I personally wish that you would consider publishing your reflections on life. It is only with God's grace and support that I will be able to move on and face his next challenge in my life. See you around Bethany. God Bless.
Name:Debbie Adams
Date:4/19/2007 10:42:27 AM
Comments: Kevin,

Reading your words evoked such emotions...tears of sadness and loss, tears of thankfulness for time shared, tears of LOVE. For all of us who've experienced the loss of someone we love, your words speak "personally" to each of us. The journey is so unique and personal, yet we're all connected in some way.

Like you, my walk with my husband (through the world called Cancer) opened my eyes to LIFE. I was awakened to how precious each day is. How precious LOVE is. God gave us this gift of life and bound us together by LOVE. Cherish each moment, each day.

Your mother was blessed to have you as her son. You were blessed to have her as your mother. Her love "lives on" through YOU. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. You have a true gift.

Grace and Peace,
Debbie
Name:Carolyn
Date:4/3/2007 1:50:21 PM
Comments: I have found a peaceful joy in reading your thoughts and feelings at the passing of your mom. My mother went home to be with Jesus in June 2003, and this is the first time I have been blessed to read something that reflects the void I have felt, yet the unspeakable joy at having known her in this life, as my mother. I so look forward to seeing her again.
God's love to you!
Carolyn
Name:kristi
Date:8/23/2006 3:25:45 PM
Comments: Kevin.....I stumbled across your website today looking for something or an answer or not sure really what. My husband lost his dad during a surgery in November and is right smack in the middle of his grief. He is mad at God and questioning everything. He prayed for his Dad and it didn't work so now he wonders what the point is. Your journal is so real and I think it will really help him.
Thanks for sharing your mom with me.
-Kristi
Name:Bev
Date:7/23/2006 9:36:49 PM
Comments: Dear Kevin,
I came upon your sight as I was looking for verses or poems pertaining to reflections. I needed these as part of a Going Away gift for our intern at church.
I lost my husband after 2 months of marriage. My brother-in-law died of cancer. My best friend died of cancer. My Dad and then my step Dad. And very recently, a very dear uncle.
I read all your writings...crying as I relived my losses and as I reflected on how much I loved these people and what special gifts they were to me.
Your feelings mirrored mine in all your writings. Sometimes we are so alone in our private thoughts, never expecting anyone to understand the depth of love in the final hours.
Thank you for sharing these writings with us. The Lord has blessed us. And even though I too have, from time to time, questioned the power of prayer....all that I ever needed the Lord has provided....and I reflect in awe.
Reflections will be put in my FAVORITES.
Sincerely,
Bev
Name:Perry Huntley
Date:4/24/2006 12:06:03 AM
Comments: Kevin:

Was great seeing you in the "Life" class at Bethany today. I was looking at your website and was very, very moved. My Mom died of colon cancer the day befoe Mother's Day, 2001. So this will be the 5th year without her. The void will never be filled, but your site helped me realize those final days are precious memories. I was able to read to her from the Bible, and I'll never forget that. What a wonderful tribute you have here to your Mom. God Bless......

Perry
Name:Brenda Brown
Date:4/9/2006 3:45:53 PM
Comments: I loved reading about your Mom and the feelings you had, I lost my Dad in 2004, it is such a hard time, I could relate to what your feeling....

We were at Starbucks in Austin and saw your work, thouGth you might have some ideas, our master bath is like a spa, the wall above the tub is 95" across and 58" up and down, the wall color is mint with white crown molding, we want a relaxing picture that would fit the spot. The wall being mint green, blue water from the ocean doesn't look good, thought about a water fall or ????? white beach????? any ideas Kevin?
Name:Gloria Knight
Date:4/1/2006 9:52:17 AM
Comments: Kevin,

Your website is wonderful. My mother 's GM was Mary E, Gourley. I experienced the same thought's, emotion's loss, whatever after my mom passed. I took care of her exclusively for the last 2yrs, 9months, 29 days of her life as she slowly died from Breast Cancer.

Today, I still feel her loss tremendously. I cried when I read your thought's.

Bless you!

Regards,

Gloria
Name:DEE
Date:4/1/2006 9:31:15 AM
Comments: I am a 75 yr old clergy rape survivor....I was raped when I was 55....Today I am able to say this is one of the abuses in my life but, Thank God, I am still here. It is not who I am . . . it is what I experienced and gives me compassion and understanding for other women who have been abused . . .
I have spent many years in therapy and blessed by a therapist named Wendy who walked me thru the devestation caused by this so-called pastor person who abused me as well as so many women in this small midwest town . . . I am grateful for AdvocateWeb newsletter which I have introduced to many women....

[Added Note from Kevin: I am the Founder of AdvocateWeb. My mom was very proud of the work we have done through AdvocateWeb and gave donations to help make AdvocateWeb possible in its early years. She never experienced this type of abuse, but she knew what a difference we were making in the lives of those who have experienced this.]
Name:loren
Date:3/29/2006 3:17:57 PM
Comments: Wow! Powerful. I minister in a long term acute care hospital. We often have 3-5 cancer patients. My heart goes out to you, even more important, God is blessing you. While you certainly elude to it in your words, in my work I try more directly to share that God will and is healing the disease - perhaps not materially as we would like, but certainly spiritually and eternally.
My beloved wife is currently a cancer survivor materially. More important than that however, has been our journey with the disease. After 43 years of marriage I believe God's gifts of faith - and the disease - have made us stronger, more hopeful, and secure in His love for us eternally.
Name:Cathryn A Blue
Date:2/18/2006 9:37:13 AM
Comments: Dear Kevin....what a wonderful gift of love! I love my Mother so much, that I embrace your dedication and devoted love to your Mom! I'm sure she's smiling at you every moment, every day! God Bless you!
Name:Bruce Gourley
Date:1/19/2006 9:21:06 PM
Comments: What a wonderful tribute to your mother! I've not lost a parent yet, and dread the thought. Thank you for sharing your personal journey for others to read and reflect upon. It touches me greatly.

Bruce Gourley
www.brucegourley.com
Name:Pauline Bezaire
Date:12/16/2005 11:14:41 AM
Comments: "forgive me, I need a minute or two the lump in my throat is choking me and my tears are so very full and heavy".
Kevin, I'm speechless right now. I have read this very very moving, very very loving and touching memorior so far up to "Am I dying". I'm going to continue on in a few but I had to stop just to thank you from the very bottom of my heart for sharing your Mom's final journey with the world, but the way you write so beautiful, I felt as though it was only I that you were writing too. My heart is so full right now of countless emotions that have been touched, one by one by reading your story. I know how very proud your Mom is of you and how special she was just through every word you wrote. I know I don't know you from adam but I feel our heartstrings connect, tie and bond, how could I not, you spoke right to my heart. I am eagarly looking forward to reading the final peice of your Mother's journey and I anticipate just how much hurt and love went into those final moments.

I ask God to give you peace and comfort,
God bless you and your family.

Please take comfort in knowing that your beautiful Mother cradles your heart in the palm of her hands with her new found strength.

"Smile God loves you, and so do I"
From my heart to your,
Pauline Bezaire,
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Name:David
Date:11/21/2005 10:28:06 PM
Comments: Wonderful insights. Thank you.
Name:Mark Smith
Date:11/7/2005 7:26:19 PM
Comments: Reading your words, they tell the story of the struggle between mortal living and spiritual faith. They inspire the soul to know more than to just perceive this temporal material world. They ask us to experience God through those we love.
Name:Mobina and Tanya Kamin
Date:11/1/2005 12:56:56 PM
Comments: Kevin:
We continue to log on and read your "writings". We feel truly blessed to have been able to be a part of Eilene's life, even though for a very short time. We miss her dearly and pray that God grant you and your family the strength and the courage to bear new challenges in your lives.
Tanya and Mobina Kamin
Name:Jay Gourley
Date:10/27/2005 10:34:51 AM
Comments: Kevin, I just read what you have written. You certainly
have a huge talent for writing. Having gone through the same thing you have now, I most certainly appreciate
what you have written.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jay Gourley Family
Name:Mike Plaut
Date:10/26/2005 9:39:30 PM
Comments: Your sensitivity, creativity, love, caring, and faith all come through so beautifully in your writing, Kevin. For so many people, you have been the gift shop in the castle in the Magic Kingdom -- the place and the person to whom they can go to find comfort and support. I hope that now you can -- at least for a while -- give yourelf the gift of taking some well deserved time for yourself.
Name:Donna White
Date:10/23/2005 9:55:19 PM
Comments: Hi Kevin,

Dennis and I met you at Sunday School a few weeks ago at Bethany. Since then, I have had you and your mother on my mind and heart. I have prayed for your precious mom many times, and for you as you care for her so lovingly and carefully. I read your reflections this evening and I was so blessed by each one as you shared your heart during this very difficult time. I mentioned to you that my dad also had terminal cancer and died about the same time you lost your dad. I remember those last days seeming to rush by, in one way, as I wished that I could have just a few more weeks with Daddy. Then, at the same time, I remember thinking that it felt as if time were standing still and some days lasted forever. I imagine that you are experiencing some of those same emotions. You are in my prayers tonight and I pray that your mother is resting easily. I don't know your mother, Kevin, but she is undoubtedly a wonderful and loving mother to have raised such a devoted and loving son.
You are very courageous.....so many children could not
(or would not) choose to be so near their parent in the last days. Your strength and courage is from your God and He will get you through the rest of this journey.
God bless you and give you peace,
In His love,
Donna and Dennis White (Cedar Park)
Name:Rachel Lundgren
Date:10/23/2005 4:58:21 PM
Comments: Very creative. Beautiful website, Kev. Thanks.
Rachel
Name:Joeli Moorman
Date:10/21/2005 1:44:20 PM
Comments: Nancy Weber, the chaplain from Lion Hospice who is helping to care for you and your mother, forwarded me the link to your website. I am so glad that you can be there with her and that you are able to enjoy the small moments that you still have. Thank you for allowing me to share your world for a short time. I wish you the best.

Name:Becky Rutland
Date:10/20/2005 7:21:48 PM
Comments: Kevin, I think you are so wise to keep a journal of this time of your mother's life. It is not the most important part of her life, like the fun times and the special times were, but it is important for both of you in your relationship. I just went through this with my father, as you know. I wouldn't take anything for the days that I spent with him at the end of his life. I saw a sweetness, and a dignity that made me not fear my own death anymore. You are a good son and your devotion will be rewarded. God Bless you and keep you.

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