new to the gluten free journey?
new to the gluten free journey?
Conan was was placed in my arms on March, 23, 1995. He was a sweet baby, full of energy and mischief. He hated naps, and often crawled out of his crib to play once the door was closed. He loved soft blankets and stuffed toys, often times cuddling them to his face.
He would always state obvious things like “When it’s daytime the sky is blue! Right Dad?” These little sayings, or “Conanisms” always ended with “Right Dad?”, and my response was always “That’s right!”
He loved being read to, and his favorite children’s book was Fox in Socks. I read it to him hundreds of times, and I think that this is one of the main reasons, he loved to read as he grew older.
I taught him how to walk, tie his shoes, get dressed, read, appreciate classical music, swim and dive, ride his bike, play basketball, hunt for “dragon eggs”, skip rocks, fish, treat a lady, and so much more.
Conan was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, if he thought you were cold. He would always share whatever he had with his brothers. Simply put, he was such a sweet and loving son, brother, friend…person.
As kids do, Conan grew up. He graduated high school, went to college for a while, and decided to follow in my foot steps. He joined the United States Air Force, and trained in security forces before being stationed at Vandenberg AFB in California.
He was a strapping young man, and aside from his service to our country, he regularly participated in Spartan Races. It was after a race that he experienced pain in his hip.
About two and a half years ago, I received a phone call from him in the hospital after he had a severe bout of hip pain. He was diagnosed with a Ewing’s Sarcoma. The tumor was very large, and there was suspicion even, then that it had metastasized into his lungs.
Conan spent two and a half years battling this cancer. It was during this battle that he was able to meet the love of his life, Sarah. As a father, I feel so blessed that he was able to experience the true love of a woman. I feel so blessed that even though I lost a son, I gained a daughter.
…that even in tragic times, a happy love story could happen, is the greatest gift in life he could have received.
Conan died in my arms on July, 30th at 5:22 am. I felt his spirit leave his body, but I will never forget those last few hours of his life as I held him to me. He was surrounded by the people who loved him the most, and I can only hope that he found peace and solace in knowing that he was loved so much by those present.
I know that Conan is in a better place now. I know that he is no longer wracked by pain, and struggling to get a breath, but even in knowing these things, it doesn’t ease the pain of his loss.
It doesn’t ease the overwhelming sense of loss, grief, anger, confusion, and sadness. A piece of me is gone forever in his loss.
I know that he is still with me in spirit, but I will never be able to hear his voice, touch his hand, or watch him grow as a man. I won’t be able to see him raise children, get a promotion, buy his first house, or do any of those things that a father looks forward to seeing happen for his son.
These are the thoughts that keep me awake at night. These are the thoughts that weigh heavy on my heart.
I would ask that if you see me, please don’t ask me if I am OK or how I am doing. I honestly don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to have the “small talk”, and I don’t want to lie to anyone, or burden you with my grief.
I do ask that you keep my family and I in your thoughts and prayers.
Dr. Osborne – The Gluten Free warrior
137 Responses
Oh my gosh, what anguish you must have experienced. I can’t begin to imagine your pain. Thank you for sharing your son with us. You will be in my thoughts.
I’m so sorry to learn of this but thank you for sharing this incredibly awful/ “heart wrenching” story w/ us Dr. Osborne. Please know that you & your family are in our most treasured & uplifting thoughts & prayer’s!
I’m so sorry to learn of this but thank you for sharing this incredibly awful/ “heart wrenching” story w/ us Dr. Osborne. Please know that you & your family are in our most treasured & uplifting thoughts & prayer’s!
I grieve for you sir! May God ease your pain and loss!
Sending you and your family a large, supportive hug! Thank you so much for sharing with us.
❤️🙏🏻💜
Thanks for sharing the love, Dr. O. May it come full circle.
So sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.
I am amazed, Dr Osborne, that you can write so poignantly at a time like this. What an honor to your son’s life. We continue to lift you and your family up in prayer to the only One who can truly comfort.
I just received word my father died the night before Conan passed. I couldn’t cry until hearing this. It’s so wrong that our children should die before us. My prayers are with you and your family as is my heart. Rest assured that God wants to bring him back more than you even do for he even knew the number of hairs on his head. Job 14:14 May you be comforted and soothes by those who love you (there are so many.), but especially by the fact that you will see him again in perfection in the life that is to come.
Thanks for sharing. He had a wonderful life. So sorry his was cut short.
Dr. Osborne & family, I am so sorry for your terrible loss of Conan. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your son.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you all be surrounded with love and peace💝
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. You are all in my prayers.
Thank you for sharing. My thoughts are with you.
The candle is burning here for you, each tear will turn into a beautiful flower of memory in your hearts. Your loss becomes everyone’s loss as we have all felt this grief too. Take good care. Thank you, for your honesty touches others in deep ways.
You and your family have my prayers. May God provide the strenght for each and every minute. Your words are full of abounding love! Thank you for sharing!
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. You, your family and Conan are all in my prayers.
Grief is the price we pay for love. May God comfort your family during this season of your life.
May God’s draw you and your family close as His peace fills you. So sorry for your loss.
Such a beautiful tribute to such a special piece of your life. Thank you for sharing. He is such a handsome son. My thoughts are with you and your family as you learn each day how to move forward.
Even though we’ve never been properly introduced, my heart is truly pained for you and your family. No words can suffice here, but I pray that somehow, some way, you and your family will feel the prayers over you all and be filled with an ocean of grace and support to help you process the loss. I pray those around you would somehow know what you need without being asked (space, food, time) and that you would allow yourself to take the time you need for you and for your family. That’s most important and we all support you in whatever you need. My sincerest condolences.
Dr. Osborne, I am in tears for the horrible hurt you have suffered, truly the worst thing that can happen to a person. I pray that the Lord Jesus continually sends comfort and love to you and your family and assures you in a special way that Conan is now in His loving arms forever. You are in my prayers always.
So so sad. I appreciate your sharing this. Sending love.
II am praying for you and your family. May God comfort you as only He can. I would have liked to have known your son. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Dear Dr Osborne please accept a big hug from the deep of my heart…I would like to make you familiar with my work…my email is michael.gonzalez5@upr.edu I woukld like to send you some of my articles…
So very sorry to learn of this news. Praying for you and all of Conan’s family and friends.
Thank you for sharing your loss of Conan and letting us get to know him through your post.
May God Bless your family.
My condolences to all of you.
Prayers forthcoming.
So sorry to hear your Sad news about your. Life doesn’t seem fair sometimes. Even though we have never met, the story brings tears to my eyes. It seems Cancer is taking so many people, 1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 woman, it has become Epidemic . Our Planet is so sick, the air, water, soil and the people. Where are we going to end up if this course of sickness continues on the planet. I got involved in studying Nutrition and Health and Wealth about 4 years ago, when i had a heart breaking story of “mistakenly” euthanizing one of my dogs because of my lack of knowledge and relied on the corporate medicine of modern Man. I have been following and listening to people like yourself and the great work you are doing. Please don’t lose the will to continue to fight for us and others. Continue to expose the “lies” and “untruths” that modern Medicine is telling. I firmly believe as a Spiritual person that the Almighty Creator will get you to see your son again someday. The is a great thought to hang too. Always focus on the things that your son did and brought you happiness. Those happy thoughts helps us get out of the Sad thoughts. God Bless Travis Faulkner, Newfoundland, Canada
Thank you for sharing Conan with all of us through your eloquent letter. Your son seems to have lived a beautiful full life in the short time he was given. Remember what he managed to do and how well he did it and not what he missed. Please be kind to yourself and take as long as you need to grieve. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and you family. You are not alone.
Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. God bless!
So sorry for your loss and wishing you peace from knowing that you contributed to the life he had much love, companionship, friendship, and good times that he had.
Dear Dr. Osborne, I just read your loving tribute to your son, Conan it brought tears to my eyes. May God bless you and your family with the strength and courage to carry on during this challenging and difficult time until you meet again. My deepest condolences. May you mourn in peace and may your memories of him be cherished.
My goodness, I had no idea. Thank you for sharing that story as difficult as it is to tell. I’m about to have my first child, a boy, in October, so I can only imagine the love and the loss you feel.
Prayers your way, Dr. Peter.
You are brave.
Dear Dr. Osborne and family,
God Bless you all during this extremely difficult time. Conan sounded like he was an angel on earth.
Thank you for sharing his beautiful life and story. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing you peace, strength and comfort.
I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing his story. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I was in tears reading this post. I have two boys and awhile back we went through a serious health scare for one of them. We got lucky, but it really changes you once you understand just how fragile, short, and unpredictable life can be. Thank you for sharing your son’s story and for all that you to do to help others. ❤️
Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Thank you so much for sharing. Praying for peace, comfort and courage for you and your family.
My thoughts & prayers are with you.
You were a gift to each other…….lOVE IS ALL THERE IS………The Love goes on……..
My heart breaks for you and your family. Prayers for you all during what must be unbearable to endure. I pray for your strength and peace to get through it and feel the love your son leaves you with.
There is nothing harder than to lose a child God’s blessings for you and your family Thank God for allowing him to be with you for as long as he was there
I am
So
Sorry for
Your loss. May God bless you and your family
There are no words…as ur son went to be with The Lord…You will see Conan on day in heaven. He is still alive just not here on earth. With you in spirit..Step by step with Him .. prayers for you and your family..
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. My heart aches for you all. I can only imagine the pain you must be feeling.
WOW! Thak you for sharing Dr. O, Praying that yhour greif will be short and that one day you and your brave don will be reunited in the Kingdom of GOD. I would also like to thank you for all of the great information you avve passsed on to your subscribers for all these years.
Dr. Osborne, though the separation seems shattering, he is not gone. He will be with you. Try to feel him. And you will see and embrace him again when it’s your turn to go.
You have been so very fortunate to share the time and energy you had with Conan. He looked like a healthy, energetic child. one with whom you shared many profound experiences. Regretting the things you will not share will only lead you into bitterness and more grief. Being grateful for what you had and still have will lead you to healing. Thank you for sharing this segment of your life with us. My thoughts and blessings are extended to you and your family in this most wrenching experience.
Thank you for sharing your son with us. He sounds like a wonderful young man. You and your family are in our prayers.
So sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers as well as the rest of the family. God did not create us to deal with death, therefore it is an extremely difficult experuenc especially when it is a child. We all do not want our children to die before us. Please know that God is fully aware of your pain and he is the God of all comfort and he is there to give you comfort in order to cope with the pain (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).
Thank you, Dr. Osborne, for opening up and sharing your heart and your pain and grief over your heartbreaking loss! I can’t even imagine losing a son! Conan was obviously a wonderful young man, and well-loved, and I’m glad that you shared memories of him with us. Similar to the health support groups that I’ve been in, I hope that sharing your pain helps you know that you are not alone and that there are so many others who care and can relate in some way and give you support, encouragement, love and prayers. You have a whole community of people who are mourning with you and praying for you, and of course not just for you but for your whole family. I’m praying for you to feel God’s comforting presence and peace even through this terrible storm and through the anger and grief and healing. Much love to you and your sweet family! So sorry!!!
Sending comfort and love to you and your beautiful family. 🙏💗
Dr.Osborn, So sorry you have experienced the loss of your son, Conan. Thank you for sharing your personal story of life with Conan and what a wonderful person he was. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I hope that in some way,sharing your loss online will help you.
Many blessings to you and your family.
Lorraine from NH