If You Lost...

If you lost your keys, you'd be upset...

your car, you'd feel stranded...

your job, you'd be frightened...

your home, you'd be heartbroken...

All of these can be remedied.

The loss of a child is forever...

Dear Son in Heaven...

I only have picture's now,
A frozen piece of time,
To remind me of how it was,
When you were here, and mine.
I see your smiling eyes,
Each morning when I wake,
I talk to you, and place a kiss,
Upon your lovely face.

How much I miss you being here,
I really can not say,
The ache is deep inside my heart,
And never goes away.

I hear it mentioned often,
That time will heal the pain,
But if I'm being honest,
I hope it will remain.

I need to feel you constantly,
To get me through the day,
I loved you so very much,
Why did you go away?

The angels came and took you,
That really wasn't fair,
They took my third-born Son,
My future life. My heir.

If only they had asked me,
If I would take your place,
I would have done so willingly,
Leaving you this world to grace.

You should have had so many years,
To watch your life unfold,
And in the mist of this,
Watch me, your Mom grow old!

I hope your watching from above,
At the daily tasks I do,
And let there be no doubt at all,
I really do love you! ♥

☆♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥☮ Peace, Comfort, & Hugs... ☮♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥☆

I'm safely home in Heaven,
Though I know you miss me so.
The love I've always felt for you
Within my heart still flows.
My spirit will remain with you
Every single day
Appearing as a rainbow
Or as ocean waves at play.
I'm in the gentle rains that fall,
And in the moring dew.
All you see that's beautiful
Reflects my love for you.
I didn't mean to cause you pain,
My time had simply come.
The work that I was meant to do
On earth had all been done.
I'm safely home in Heaven,
Where eternal peace is mine.
And when God has called you, too,
I'll be forever Thine.

A New Path!

by Shari Soklow

I choose a new path, I choose a new way,
I am sick of suffering day by day!
Why must I keep going down this path of grief?
This is my life, I must turn over a new leaf!
I am wrapped in a cocoon of anguish and sorrow,
Longing to live a better tomorrow!
I had a child and I was the adorer...
Now I am submersed in a nightmare of horror!
I never knew I could hurt this much!
Feelings of sheer misery, depression and such!
Never again will I feel joy as before,
as when my precious son, came to my door!
His smile and laughter, a memory, only a dream...
No longer real, now it does seem!
No more hugs and kisses, "mom I am here!"
How do I survive without him is my daily fear!
Alone in my sorrow, alone in my grief,
Trying to find a moments relief!
I choose a new path, a new way to go...
A new way to communicate with the son I love so!
I feel the grief of others as I live on,
Always remembering that soon we too shall be gone!
This little bit of time we all have left here on earth,
Must have some value, as it did in childbirth!
I will be good to myself, I am all that I've got!
As I make peace with my cruel fate, and try to cry not!
Life can be empty, lonely and cruel,
The crumbs of compassion one gets from a fool!
False friends desert you and hurt you along the way,
I will find a new path to brighten my day!
I can't change what was and I don't know what will be,
but any good I get from life is solely up to me!
So I will chart my own course, find my own way,
Till I too go to heaven and with my loved ones do stay!

by Shari Soklow
♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥ In Loving Memory Of her Beloved Son Howie

There will be no end to grieving just as there is no end to loving. However, grief will change, will transform, will transition, and will evolve over time. Grief is your companion now, a guide to teach you and shape you. At times you will despise your new teacher, whereas at other times, you will welcome its subtle and not-so-subtle influence. Grief is a thread in the fabric of you.

Joseph is Getting Married!

Dearest Joseph,

---Twenty-two years ago you came into our life. We will never forget that day. You were such a beautiful baby with lots of smiles. As we held you in our arms, we wondered what the future held for you, what kind of life you would live. We wondered if we could be good parents to you and teach you and raise you right.

---You are definitely a young man that is cut from a different mold than most everyone else. You have so many wonderful and unique talents and gifts that it excites us to watch you develop them and wonder where your life is headed. We’re excited to see what great things you will accomplish with your life. You’ve done so well up-to-date!

Was raising you & your brothers easy? Not by a long shot! Would we have it any other way? Never! You have all taught us so much; Patience, Open-mindedness, Optimism, Style, Acceptance, and a Considerable amount of Love. These were lessons we couldn't have learned any other way. Thank you. You brought our family a lot of Joy! You also gave us great memories that we will always treasure:

---Your birth – Feeding you - Bathing you - Rocking you - Tricycles and bicycles – Reading to you – you Learning how to read – Teaching you how to cook & clean - Playing Batman - Your Baptism – Amusement Parks - Vacations – Day Trips - Snorkeling - Bike ramps - Making your own meals – Batting Cages – Computer Shows – Your Rolled Pancakes - Flea Market Days – Your Confirmation - Sleeping on the couch watching TV - Rushing off to school - Battles over homework - Homeschooling - Late nights and curfews - Making homeschooling videos & Editing, editing, & more editing – Playing Nintendo Games & Computer Games as a Family – Shopping – You mowing yards – Your History Lessons – Teaching you how to Drive – Your Interesting Facts - You working at 7-11 as a grunt – 7-11’s French Vanilla Cappuccino - You being Assistant Manager at 7-11 – You being Manager at 7-11 - Late night talks - The "Cats in the Cradle" video you made for Dad – Desireé - Engagement – Your apartments – Your Yummy Homemade Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies – Desí’s Homemade Stuffed Shells – Playing Chess with Dad - Desí’s New fine art of Cake Decorating - You being Kyle’s Sponsor for his Confirmation - & Oh so many numerous other memories - & Soon to be Your Wedding Day! --- Thank you Joey for the life you have lived. Now you begin a new chapter that includes an eternal partner - Desireé.

---Every parent's greatest fear is that their child will make the wrong decision when it comes to marriage. But from the first time we met Desireé, we knew she was someone special. As you began to see Desireé over the next few months, we could see from the light in your eyes and the excitement in your voice that this girl had a powerful effect on you. You became happier and more confident in yourself. We watched the way she treated you and how she brought out the best in you. We secretly hoped, for your sake, that your relationship wouldn't end. Our prayers have been answered. We couldn't have chosen a more suitable young lady to be our daughter-in-law. Desireé, welcome to the family!

They are so Adorable!!! Just think, this October they will be Married!!!

---A Pre-Wedding day letter wouldn't be complete without some advice on marriage. You are a beginner and we've had 22+ years of experience. So this is what we’ve learned:

• Marriage is grand, divorce is about 10 grand.
• The key to a long and happy marriage is to remember just two little words: “Yes dear!”
  • If they don’t work, you know the next line...

“I’m sorry, you were right, I was wrong, it’s all My Fault, and I’ll try never to do it again...”

• Once you’re married, Desireé will always have the last word in an argument. Any word that you add after that is by default the start of a possible new argument!
• Have a phrase that means you know what, that others don’t know – until the day your kids tell them!
• Remember, when you buy flowers it proves you are guilty. However, the consequences of not buying flower are far more serious!

---On a more serious note, here are 15 tips that we have found to be very helpful in my marriage:

1. Night and Morning Prayer - to give thanks, to ask for help, to worship together.
2. A Daily Phone Call - to say, "I love you," to touch base, to discuss your day, to show you care.
3. A Weekly Date - to go out to eat, see a movie, attend a concert, go to a park, or anything to just be together.
4. Daily Service - pay attention to what your partner is dealing with and lend a hand.
5. Live On a Budget - communicate about money, stay out of debt, temper your wants, agree on your expenditures.
6. Listen - not only to what is said but also to what is meant.
7. Regular Attendance - to church each week.
8. Support Your Spouse - in school, career and righteous goals.
9. Forgive Each Other - let it go, admit you're wrong, don't hold grudges and never use the "Silent Treatment."
10. Patience - for tardiness, missed meals, thoughtless remarks, or imperfections.
11. Soft and Kind Words - gentleness, compassion, kindness, empathy for each other.
12. Care About Your Spouse's Family - enjoy their company, get to know them, visit them, overlook their differences.
13. Occasional Gifts - small tokens of your love, notes, gifts of service or time.
14. Love with All Your Heart & Soul - Through Thick & Thin...
15. & When you have kids: “Let them be Little, cause they’re only that way for a while... Give them Hope, give them Praise, give them Love Every Day, let ‘em cry, let ‘em giggle, let ‘em sleep in the middle, oh... but let them be little...”

Well, there you have it, our advice to having a long and happy marriage.

---Joey, we’re so pleased with who you are and your choice of Desireé as your eternal companion. You are a credit to our family. May you and Desireé have a wonderful, prosperous, exciting, and happy life together...

With All Our Love ,

Mom & Dad

PS: This letter wouldn't fit on your Webpage...

http://joeanddesi102311.ourweddingday.com/index.aspx

Potential Gone

The future that I thought was bright,
now all looks dark without your light.
Potential gone; I cannot see
a future now for you, or me.

And yet; although your time was short,
and you didn't have the life you ought,
you brought me joy beyond compare
to counter now my dark despair.

You brought me hope for several weeks long.
You placed within my heart a song.
A longer life was not to be.
So now, with prayers we set you free.

O God, please take this little life,
that won't now see a world of strife.
Surround your child with all your love,
and take him to your home above.

Dick Underwood 2008

Today my niece lost her baby today...

What a Horrible feeling...