Thank you

For two years, and especially for the past week, you have supported us, given us encouragement and comfort, prayed for and with us, and shared your love with us. We've said it before, but it bears saying again - thank you all so incredibly much for everything you have done for Kolbjorn and for our family. Some people have told us how strong we have been, but all I can say is that it's easy to look strong when we have so very many people holding us up. The local newspaper ran a tribute to Kol, calling him "the boy who lifted a town", but at the same time, the town and our community of friends and family across the country and around the world lifted us.

Kol's funeral was yesterday. As hard as it was to say goodbye to Kol, we rejoice that he is no longer in pain, and it was so absolutely uplifting to be able to connect with so many friends and family, to be able to share hugs, laughter, and tears with you. It was a big step in the healing process for us, an process that will be ongoing for some time.

Some have asked about the future of this blog, now that Kol is gone. We want to assure you that we intend to keep blogging - obviously the focus will change from Kolbjorn's journey to our family's journey, the updates will likely not be as urgent, but we have appreciated having this place to communicate with our friends and family. Over the next week or so, we'll be catching up on some much-needed downtime with our family, so we probably won't blog much for a while, but we will be back. Kristen, for one, has too many things to say (or at least that's what she tells me).

Again, thank you all so very much for all that you've done for Kol and for us, and please continue to keep us in your prayers. May God bless you and keep you, and we'll talk to you soon.

Kirk, Kristen, Julianna, Mari, Birgitte, and Annika Friggstad