HELPING THROUGH THE GRIEF - Page 24
"Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll."
Author Unknown
October 15, 2003
"Maybe I found you only to lose you?"
Author Unknown
Submitted by Abraham Yesu Prakash --- Bangalore, India
This line is dedicated for my love ( baby Pumpkin ) for she was the one who inspired me to live my life. Unfortunately she is not here with me. I miss her till my last breath.
October 15, 2003
I believe that there are angels put on this earth that help you through your rough times and to light your way through good times. In the past month I believe that I have met two of the angels that were sent here for me. Going off to college with such a difficult life before me, not having anything that was familiar to me was hard.
My dad has passed away, I've been raped, I've had friends die, and I've been battling an eating disorder. For me to not have friends would be hard!! Then I met two angels who understand what looking into someone and healing pain is all about. I feel very fortunate to have them here with me!
Written by Tiffany D., Age 18 --- Ohio
October 15, 2003
(Heaven - The Lord )
"Congratulations son for a life well lived."
Written by Maxesibe Ximbi --- Eastern Cape, South Africa
October 15, 2003
Here is a little dedication to my favorite cousin, who was sexually abused and in the end she turned to suicide as an alternative. I too was sexually abused and am now on a mission to advocate for better community understanding... Hope this will help others from following my cousin's fate.
"WITH LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING"
For twenty six years you kept your silence,
Because you were also struggling with abuse of violence.
Not a soul suspected the pain you hid so well,
As you put the welfare of others before yourself,
Till one day it took its toll,
Sad to say you ended it all.
I found your writings, how sad to read your plight,
My poor cousin, alone in your fight.
If only I had an inkling or you had given me a clue,
I would have been there in a flash for you,
Just to hug or hold you tight,
To settle you down, till you felt all right.
If only you knew that I too share the same pain,
That half of my life, I have carried my shame,
But like yourself, I did not want to cause an uproar,
As I am already feeling so distraught.
Fear, hatred, humiliation and family obligations,
Silenced me from earlier revelations.
It has been a long time coming but I am revitalized,
By God's love I have a new perspective on life.
I will be a testimony of His compassionate ways,
I will tell the whole world of His amazing grace,
That saved a wretched soul like me from the same fate,
Just in time before it was to late...
Dear victims, have faith, courage and hope for tomorrow,
Your tears will turn to happiness instead of sorrow,
"Do not dwell on the past, in case it dwells on you",
Because God all loving will guide you through.
"There is always light at the end of the tunnel", so do not despair,
With love and understanding you will make it there...
To a Better Tomorrow.
Copyright © 2003 Ivona Tuaimau-Evans
Sydney, Australia
www.measina.org
October 15, 2003
I sit in the park where I dwell
For this boy I love so well.
He took my heart away from me
And now he wants to set me free
I see a girl on his lap
He says things to her he never said to me.
I ran home to cry on my bed
Not a word to mother was said
Father came home late that night
He looked at me from left to right
He saw me hanging from a rope
He took his knife to cut me down
And on my dress a note was found...it read
"Dig my grave dig it deep,
Dig my grave from head to feet,
And on the top place a dove,
And remember this... I died for love."
Author Unknown
Submitted by Jessica W., Age 15 --- Alabama
I read this somewhere and I could relate to it in the sense that I'd thought of doing the same thing. Then I realized he wasn't worth killing myself over; no boy or girl is. I just wanted to submit this poem and let people know not to put their fate in their own hands, to leave it in the hands of God.
October 15, 2003
Death is but a path that must be trod,
If man would ever pass to God...
For we live in deeds, not years;
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not figures on a dial...
Life is not measured by the time we live,
But in how we show our love for God,
Through how we act to those around us...
For those most live who think most,
Feel noblest, act best, and live life well...
Just as night brings out stars,
So does sorrow bring out truths.
Of all these, this one is greatest...
In love nothing is ever too late,
For even after our tired heart shall cease to palpitate...
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
Julia Jackson Christian
Submitted by Katie Barlow --- Mississippi
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal."
From a headstone in Ireland
Submitted by Katie Barlow --- Mississippi
October 15, 2003
"No obstacle is too great to overcome."
Author Unknown
Submitted by Heather W., Age 13 --- Ontario, Canada
We all love you, Brett! Get better soon!
October 15, 2003
"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."
Henri Nouwen