Class Ring
Close to the door he paused to stand
as he took his class ring off her hand.
All who were watching did not speak,
as a silent tear ran down his cheek
and through his mind the memories ran
of the moments they'd walked and laughed in the sand.
But now his eyes were so terribly cold
for he would never again have her to hold.
They watched in silence as he bent near
and whispered the words "I love you" in her ear.
He touched her face and started to cry
as he put on his ring and wanted to die.
And just then, the wind began to blow
as they lowered her casket into the snow.
This is what happens to many alive-
when friends let friends drink and drive.
-Author Unknown
Alcoholic Tragedy
Give me some vodka, give me some beer,
pass the Jack Daniels right over here.
I'll drink me some rum and chug me some wine,
I'll finish the bottles in record time.
I will drink anything that's on the table,
I'm always ready, willing, and certainly able.
People say I'm a drunk but I do not agree.
Why is this pink elephant always following me?
I am not addicted to what I like to drink
just because I pass out on the counter
and usually throw up in the sink.
I am not an alcoholic as some people do think
It's just every once in a while I need to have a drink.
I have heard people talk about the health risks of drinking
how it effects the liver, the kidneys, and the whole process of thinking.
But I don't really care 'cause it won't happen to me
'cause all those other people were stupid and just not smart like me.
It's getting late I must get home.
I leave my good friend's warm abode
but still I'm in a drinking mode
so I grab a beer just for the road.
That Saturday night I'm driving home
in the car I'm all alone.
I just drank another load
and now that stupid pink elephant is in the road.
I'm swerving left, I'm swerving right
to get that elephant out of sight.
I'm forced to drive into someone's lawn
to discover magically the pink elephant's gone.
Next thing I know the cops are there
asking who, what, when, why and finally where.
Some people are there and screaming, “Why?”
“Why did my son have to die?”
I turn my head and what I see
is an alcohol related fatality.
Because of my tendency to drink
a boy's life went down the kitchen sink.
This boy is dead because of me
and this might break up the whole family.
Why didn't I listen, why didn't I see
the grip that alcohol had on me?
“Why couldn't I just have had less to drink?”
That's what I keep on telling my shrink.
Suicide is now in my head
because I can't accept the life I have led.
This gun will ensure that I am dead.
But what is the last thing that I do see?
It's that evil pink elephant staring and laughing at me.
The moral of this story, what I'm trying to say,
is that the unfortunate ending didn't have to be this way.
Do not drink and drive. It's not that hard to do-
or this story might not be fiction but might apply to you.
By:
ns
Tomorrow
When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes All filled
with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so
much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today for life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Thought there were times you did some things, You knew
you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
And share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
Author Unknown
Dear Mom
I know this is a rough time for you.
So I will be as gentle as I can be.
First of all, thank you for so many tears,
particularly those shared with another that you love.
They are a gift to me, a precious tribute to your investment in me.
As you do your mourning, do it at your pace only.
Don't let anybody suggest that you do your grief work on their timetable.
Do whatever it takes to face directly
the reality of what has happened,
even though you may need to pause frequently
and yearn for my return.
Do this with courage and my blessing.
Know that sometimes inertia is the only movement
possible. Give your best to
keeping a balance
between remembering me
and renewing your commitments to life.
It's okay with me if you go through minutes, hours
and even days not thinking about me.
I know that you'll never forget.
Loosening me and grabbing hold of a new meaning
is a delicate art.
I am not sure if one comes before the other or not, maybe it's a combination.
Be with people who accept you as you are.
Mention my name out loud,
and if they don't make a hasty retreat,
they're probably excellent candidates for
friendship.
If, by a remote possibility, you think that there is anything
that you could have done for me and didn't.
I forgive you, as our Lord does.
Resentment does not abide here, only love.
You know how people sometimes ask you
how many children you have?
Well, I am still yours and you are still my parents.
Always acknowledge that with tenderness, unless to
do so would fall on
insensitive ears or would be painful to you.
I know how you feel inside.
Read, even though your tears anoint the page.
There is an immense library here and I have a card.
In Henri Nowens' "Out of Solitude", he writes,
"The friend who can be silent with us
in a moment of despair and confusion,
who can stay with us in an hour of grief and
bereavement,
who can tolerate not healing,
and face with us the reality of our powerlessness,
that is a friend who cares."
Mom, I don't know where you are spiritually now,
but rest assured that our God is not gone.
The still small voice you hear in your heart is His
voice.
The warmth that sometimes enfolds you is Him.
The tears that tremble just beneath your heartbeat
is Him.
He is in you, as I am.
I want you both to know that I am okay
and I have sent you messages to ease your pain,
they come in the form of flowers that bloom out of
season,
birds singing, voices and visions and sometimes
through your friends and even
strangers who volunteer as angels.
Stay open but don't expect the overly dramatic.
You will get what you need and it may be simply an
internal peace.
You are not crazy, you have been comforted.
Please seek out people bereaved longer than you.
They are tellers of truth, and if they have done
their work,
are an inspiration and a beacon of hope
whose pain lessened dramatically
and one more wisdom before we close.
There are still funny happenings in our world.
It delights me to no end when I hear
your spontaneous, uncontrolled laughter.
That, too, will come in due time.
Today, I light a candle for you.
Joined with your candle, let their light shine
above the darkness.
"TEARS, TALK, TIME, AND TOMORROW"
I never thought I could go on living when you died, but....I did.
I never thought I would survive after burying you, but....I did.
I never thought I'd get through those first days, weeks and months,
but....I did.
I never thought I would be able to endure the first anniversary of your
death, but....I did.
I never thought I would let myself love my new grandchild, but....I did.
I never thought tomorrow would be different, but...it was.
I never thought I would stop crying for you, but....I have.
I never thought that I would ever sing again, but....I have.
I never thought the pain would "soften", but....it has.
I never thought I would care if the sun shone again, but....I do.
I never thought I would ever entertain again, but....I have.
I never thought I would be able to control my grief, but....I can.
I never thought that I could function without medication again, but....I
can.
I never thought I'd smile again, but....I do
I never thought I would laugh out loud again, but....I do.
I never thought I would look forward to tomorrow, but....I do.
I never thought I'd reconcile your death, but....I have.
I never thought I would be able to create that "new normal", but....I
have.
I never thought I'd want to go on living after you died, but....I do.
Always missing you, always loving you, and thinking of you daily,
With a smile on my face....and tears in my heart.
Author unknown
DEATH OF AN INNOCENT
I went to a party Mom,
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
So I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk," Mom,
And now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom....
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?
-Author Unknown
