Letters of Support to Tom

I work in the same building as Bobbie. I would see Bobbie almost daily, taking the mail to the mailbox always looking like a million bucks, make-up flawless. Over time, once she got to know me, she would always have something nice to say about how I was dressed (on my good days I might add) and was just so gracious whenever I ran into her....

I will miss Bobbie's smile. I often look for her to come out that door with that box of mail and give me that look like she's dreading taking it to the mailbox! I often laugh about that now, but it's something I truly will miss.

Although I didn't know Bobbie very well, I do consider her a very dear friend. This has made me appreciate those that I love and those that I consider friends as well. Life is so short, and above all precious. I know that Bobbie is at peace and in God's care.

May God Bless You and your family Tom during this difficult time. From what I've read and heard from her co-workers, Bobbie loved you oh so much!

I can't even begin to describe the range of emotions I've felt since I spoke with [name] on Sunday and can only imagine the depth of yours. The only comfort I can find in having read articles and talking with people is that you both knew you were truly loved by one another. May every morning from this day forward be a little bit easier to wake up.

I don't know how to express the deep sympathy I feel for you. Surviving this horrendous act will be very difficult. You and Bobbie had a fabulous 24 years together. I hope in the future you can look back on those years and be comforted. Bobbie was a wonderful and kind person. When [letter writer's husband] died you wrote me a letter. I have never forgotten your kind words. Times does help you heal, at least it dulls the pain. I hope over time you find peace remembering the wonderful times you and Bobbie had.

I can't imagine how difficult these past months have been for you, but I hope knowing that so many of us here are thinking about you is a comfort. The following is a quote that comforts me when I've lost loved ones:

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, “There, she is gone.” “Gone where?” Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminishing size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There, she is gone!,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and there are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!” And that is dying. —Anonymous

I write to express my sympathy for the loss of your beloved wife, Bobbie Bosworth. As a fellow Alexandrian, I was shocked to read the news of her death, which was so senseless. May you find comfort from friends and family and from our local community, who is thinking of you.

I have never written to a stranger before, but I was truly saddened when I heard what had happened to your wife. It sounds like you were a very close couple and my heart goes out to you to have to deal with such a terrible loss in such a violent way. How anyone can be so cruel and callous, without regard for another human being, is beyond me.

My husband and I cannot recall when we have been so profoundly saddened by a news story as we have by the loss of your beautiful wife. We are also at a loss for any words of comfort that we may offer. But we hope it will help to know that even strangers are affected by this tragedy. May Barbara's memory be eternal and may God grant you the strength you will need as you face the future without her. Our deepest sympathy to her parents and siblings. We shall keep all of you in our prayers.