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
Touched to flowing tears & more than a few uncontrollable sobs by your magnificent tribute to precious Conan, along with opening up about your own grief, I’m also moved to awe that you have so much, indeed, SO VERY MUCH to be thankful for!!
Praying for you & yours, please let me share this lyric from a song I wrote…
“& if you happen to be one of the beautiful brokenhearted, don’t be sad, you’ve just started to let Love flow more easily through you!”
May God give you the strength to carry on.
In my thoughts and in my heart I will pray for you and your family Conan will take care of his loved ones as they have taken care of him God Bless
Sending my love Marian
We are all very sorry and sad to hear this. Our prayers are with you, Dr Osborn.
I cannot even imagine. Wish you lots of strength during these tough times. Your children are beautiful and you need to be strong for them.
Please send my condolences to your wife.
Dr Osborne – such a beautiful tribute to your precious Conan. He is with you still in spirit and certainly most touched with your eternal love for him. Here is the Story of the Dragonfly that was shared with me, when my Dad transitioned. Hope this will bring comfort to you, your family and all your followers:
Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily, it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.
“Look!” said one of the water bugs to another. “One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you suppose she is going?” Up, up, up it went slowly. Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn’t return. “That’s funny!” said one water bug to another. “Wasn’t she happy here?” asked a second water bug. “Where do you suppose she went?” wondered a third. No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled.
Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together. “I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.” “We promise.” They said solemnly.
One spring day, not long after the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water, and fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above.
When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly.
Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by, the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were, scurrying about, just as he had been doing some time before. Then the dragonfly remembered the promise: “The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why.”
Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water. “I can’t return!” he said in dismay. “At least I tried, but I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I’ll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they’ll understand what happened to me, and where I went.
And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air.”
Sending love and a virtual envelope of hugs to you, your family and everyone whose life Conan touched. You all are so lucky to have shared his love. No doubt your future will be influenced by the gifts he brought to your lives. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
There is no greater loss than the loss of a beloved child. My late husband lost a 14 year old grandchild to Ewings Sarcoma before we married so your story touched me deeply. You have a ton of Gluten Free Warriors sending their strength and prayers to you and your family.
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Conan is home with the Lord, our father. Short as his life was on earth, he had a wonderful life with a wonderful, loving family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Dr Peter
Thankyou for sharing your precious story of Conan: Look, it has created and drawn love from so many hearts. Thankyou for carrying on with your wonderful work even when you haven’t felt like it.
May your whole family know yourselves surrounded and born up in the strong arms of the Love you already know, that same love you gave your son.
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss! I know this pain intimately. I lost my 24 year old son Zachary almost 2 years ago to an accident. If you need someone to listen, or to talk to, send me a note and we can connect.
My tears are for your broken heart and the loss of your son. I to lost my middle son little over a year ago in a car accident. It’s so hard to deal but I am still here so we have to go on. I am now just getting able to talk about it. May god bless you and may our sons rest in peace. He sounded like a very special young man. Take care and thank you for all you do for us and our health!
Dear Peter,
I am both deeply moved and appreciative by your sharing your and your family’s grievous loss. The waves of shock and sorrow are felt around the world as your impact has global reach. As we pray for your peace that passes understanding, we are assured that you will be reunited with your loves for an eternity while this sojourn is a blip on the time screen. Be that as it may, I join fellow benefactors of your work in asking you to continue bringing much needed integrity and truth to the seeking community, please. May God bless you and yours in ways that His favor is apparent.
OH Dr. Osborne, our Hearts are Broken💔. We LOVE YOU So Much my sweet friend. We are lifting you & your precious wife & boys up in Prayer🙏🏻 . May the Dear Lord renew your strength throughout each & everyday.
Dear Peter
I am both saddened about the loss of your precious Conan and grateful that you would share your pain and grief with your supporters. The wave of shock and sorrow traversed the globe for your impact and influence are global.
As we pray for the peace that passes understanding for you and your family, and God’s ongoing favor, may you be reminded that you each will reunite with your loves for an eternity. Though that sounds like a platitude, another reminder; the brief sojourn we have here as participants in God’s overall plan.
For this reason I join other supporters in asking you to please continue bringing your passion, integrity and actual scientific truths to those of us who need it most. My deep condolences.
I feel the experience of loss of a loved one teaches us how great and deep our love can be , and not to take for granted this love and these special relationships !
May you feel peace and comfort,and a shower of gifts and blessings to strengthen you in your journey in healing from the Grief!
May all who experience this loss be lifted by angels !
From one who has experience this intense love and loss!
Melody
I pray that God’s peace will be with you and your family. In His time, special memories will give you comfort.
There will never be words enough to comfort a parent’s grieving heart, unless God speaks them directly to you. Having lost 3 babies, this has been my experience. I am praying for your family to receive the comfort and love directly from your always good heavenly Father. I am so very sorry for your loss. <3
Dr. Peter Osborne my family and I are very sorry for your loss , you and your beautiful family will be in our prayers . God will give you the strengh to go through .
I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words that I can add since the pain you feel goes so unbelievably deep. You described the love you feel and felt for your son Conan so beautifully.
I hope that you, your family, and close friends can give each other the support you all need to get through this incredibly difficult time.
Dr Osborne and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I was brought to tears by your memories. Thanks for sharing them with us. I believe their is no greater loss by which man can suffer than losing a child. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of grief.
I feel selfish, after reading this, that I’m still mourning the loss of my 94 year-old mother in June.
I am MORE sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing and putting things in perspective for me. Sending peace to your entire family. 🙏
I am saddened to hear of your loss. I can’t imagine how painful this is for you, but thank you for sharing this glimpse into his life and yours. I will be praying for you and your family.
What a beautiful tribute to your son. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. My prayers are with you. God bless you all.
Dear Dr. Osborne,
As you go through life,
When you stop and look behind you,
May the times that you’ve been happy,
FAR outnumber the times when Fate has been unkind.
And may much more happiness be coming your way,
On the journey yet to be.
Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your beloved son, Conan.
Dr. Osborne, life has so many experiences, good and sad. Your love for your family, your son…you genuinely gave him a good, “wonderful life”…although, sad, not long enough. You were on and at at his side his whole life. There is nothing more fulfilling than being loved and respected. You have “wonderful” memories and must be so proud of this young man you brought into this world. I have not lost a child and is far from my understanding how a parent moves on. I am sure he is at your side every day in spirit. Your raised a “wonderful” son and was a nice experience for me that your shared pictures of your son’s wonderful life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
What a privilege to learn more about Conad and the love you so deeply shared. Will hold you and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers are you learn your ‘new normal.”
Dr. Osborne, I’m so, so sorry. What an incredible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Want to add heartfelt sympathy. Our son died at age 22 from HIV after receiving contaminated blood products so can enter into your grief. Thanks for expressing your feelings of loss at a time when you are hurting so intensely. What a beautiful tribute to a special son!
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your son Conan’s life with us. I could not help tearing up reading such a beautiful tribute to your son! Praying for our Lord to bring you comfort and peace during this time. Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Dr. Osborne, we are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family.
Dear Dr. Osborne, hearing about your loss of your precious son has brought me to tears. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will be praying for you. I pray the Lord will bring you comfort and rest.