There's a ship sailing on to a harbor,
To a haven of comfort and rest;
It's a ship of God's fashion and making,
And its' voyage by Him will be blest.
It departed with silence and beauty,
with the Master, Himself, in command;
As with dignity truly magestic
It sailed out of sight of all land.

There will always be clear skies above it;
There will always be calmness below;
There will never be storms to harass it,
For the Master is on it, you know,
And His wisdom will carry it safely
To the port of His infinite peace,
Where the light of His love will protect it
With a blessing that never will cease.

You have watched it sail onward and outward,
With a tear of regret in your eye,
For a loved one was sailing upon it,
And there's grief when you're saying goodbye.
But your tears would be tears of rejoicing,
And your heart would be happy and free,
If you could look for only a moment
On that ship that is sailing to sea.

For the one you have loved is at leisure,
With no worry or trouble or care;
There's contentment beyond understanding
In the way God's passengers fare.
And you'd know from your own observation
That the sailing was joyful - not grim,
For it means a new life and new living,
And a sweet closer contact with Him.

Oh, the solace there is in the knowledge,
Life is ife, and it always will be,
And it's simply a change of direction
When we sail on His ship out to sea.
And tears that we shed for our loved one
Are in truth shed for us left behind,
For it hurts to give up to the Master,
Tho we know He is gentle and kind.

So believe in His great and good wisdom,
Trust in Him, as you patiently wait;
On His ship God is ever the pilot,
And the one you have loved is the mate.

*Author Unknown

Why this...why now? Mistiis asked me for a picture of Michael so I got out his scrapebook...which begins with his birth certificate and ends with his death certificate (self -inflicted gunshot wound to head, multiple skull fractures with hemorrhage, Massive brain damage..death in seconds) and inbetween those pages is his "life" if guess...how can his life fit in one book? Anyway..I found this wonderful poem someone sent us when he died and I wanted to share it.

I also shared how he died to hopefully prevent anyone who is thinking about suicide to consider the grim realitiy of it.

I also found a picture to send...now if only I can find her address. *grin

Hugs for the room.

....i am going to try to reply here through the sobs...so finally I hit 'the wall' ...and it comes tumbling down. When I have to look at the stark reality. When I have to admit what it is that I think I really want. But know I cant have it right now....know that I must keep fighting...whatever it takes. Sorry, just can't say more....just know that I love you dear ((alffe)), and I love your Michael too, and he will be welcomed into my home, and I can't wait to make that ornament, and put it on my tree...Thank you for reaching down for the strength it must take you to do that.

I will have to go, and come back later....

Alffe and Mistiis (gotta learn how to spell your names right). I love the poem and I hope it gave you both a little more closure and a little more peace.

hugs, Doxie

Thank you Doxie...especially for the hug, can't have too many of those.
And Alffe is spelled so many different ways...Allfe, Alfie, Alpo, Alpho,
I'll answer to most anything!

Okay everybody, besides the fact that you are all wonderful here at SOS, I kind of felt like I was here illicitly. I started out after my into at Stumble Inn because of my ms. But I posted here most of all and felt so much love and comfort from everyone. It finally hit home today after I read that poem that Allfe posted, that I am an SOS, and it happened in August of this year. I will post more later about it, it may come out all at once or in bits and pieces. I have to be cheerful now, I am going to an XMAS dinner party at my mom's nursing home and then go later to pick up some XMAS toys-gotta get those sales. I have no more words to say now but I do have enough energy to give everyone a big group hug.

Doxie

thanks so much for sharing this-- been in my thoughts since.... wish could've, would've replied sooner.... but i've been caught up in my 'stuff"
w/out words to explain...expresss...

but it did bring back memories-- of when i was in training for Crises response team -- many years ago .
our leader/trainer was survivor of suicide; her son had also shot himself in head.

while our goal was to intervene and hopefully 'prevent' suicide, she let us know there may be times when we'd be called out to assist, support the survivors after suicide.
she advised us to respect, honor any wishes family, survivors may have--no matter how strange or bizarre may seem -- such as going to place where suicide occured.

she said she 'needed' this--to see, get the 'reality' (i'm reluctant to share more graphic details-- that she did share with us --of what she saw)

even tho i never encountered that specific situation on that job, i won't forget... and am grateful for all that survivor gave me, and to so many,
and all of you here @SOS continue to give

Alffe, thanks for sharing-- the good and the reality
BLESS you ....
and ALL...

thank YOU, for sharing, pono...

for the room...

((Alffe)) I have a candle burning in memory of your ((Michael))
My thoughts and prayers are with you today

....and I do as well dear friend.....