Justin Bradley Lindley

Compassionate Friends - by Steven L Channing

I can tell by that look, Friend, that you need to talk,
So come take my hand, and let's go for a walk.
See, I'm not like the others; I won't shy away,
Because I want to hear what you've got to say.

Your child has died, and you need to be heard,
But they don't want to hear a single word.
They tell you your child's "with God," so be strong.
They say all the "right" things, that somehow sound wrong.

They're just hurting for you and trying to say
They'd give anything to help take your pain away.
But they're struggling with feelings they can't understand,
So forgive them for not offering a hand.

I'll walk in your shoes for more than a mile.
I'll wait while you cry, and be glad if you smile.
I won't criticize you or judge you or scorn,
I'll just stay and listen 'til your night turns to morn.

Yes, the journey is hard and unbearably long,
And I know that you think that you're not quite that strong.
So take my hand 'cause I've got time to spare,
And I know how it hurts, Friend, for I have been there.

See, I owe a debt you can help me repay
For not long ago, I was helped the same way.
And I stumbled and fell thru a world so unreal,
So believe me when I say that I know how you feel.

I don't look for praise or financial gain
And I'm sure not the kind who gets joy out of pain.
I'm just a strong shoulder who will be there 'til the end.
Someone who will be your Compassionate Friend.

 

ALL MY LOVE GLORIA ANTHONY SHALLO'S MOM XOXO

FROM JUSTIN WITH LOVE.

 

TO THOSE I LOVE

To those I love,

Since we parted, you have been sharing so much of ME with those around you. The memories are so fresh and real. You hold on to me so tightly in your hearts - where I shall always be.

Your concern has always been for me, but I wonder how you are doing. You will never know all of the prayers that have been prayed for you, the tears that have been shed over your grief and the concern that has been shown for you in a multitude of ways, but I find it so comforting to know you haven't been left alone.

Please know that I am not alone, either. The death that hurt you the most has given me the gift of eternal life. God's promises have been fulfilled in me. When I left you, God was there, waiting, just as He promised. I am surrounded by perfect love. Never let anyone tell you God doesn't exist. If you need to be mad at Him for awhile, that's okay; He can handle it. But never let hate, anger or bitterness fuel your emotions. Talk to Him and let him talk to you. Listen for Him in the voices of the people who love and care about you.

It is comforting to know that you hold me so close while struggling with the prospect of letting me go. You need to know that we will always be together. Eternity is not 'out there,' eternity is now! I have simply moved a little farther ahead of you.

Remember that God never wastes anything - especially love. The love that we shared on earth will be even greater in Heaven. For now, you must rest assured that I am safe in God's perfect love. I would like you to take some of the love you have for me and share it with those around you. You can never run out of love - the more you give away, the more you will have. And let others love you . you are worth loving.

Life is forever....mine has changed in the twinkling of an eye while yours is changing day-by-day and minute-by-minute. Though your lives will never be the same, that does not mean that they cannot be filled with peace, joy and love. Always look to the future. Don't be afraid of tomorrow - God's already there.... Be patient with yourselves. You will make some mistakes, and you will even find yourselves not thinking about 'me' from time to time. That's all right too.... All of my needs are being met; you need to take care of you. Hold onto one another, help each other, give hope and love to all you meet.

Above all, be prepared to welcome others into your world of grief and mourning. You are being taught valuable lessons that will need to be passed along. Some will not have your strength, many will not have your faith, and most will feel they are all alone; but all will need the love and understanding only you will be able to give. Now, your pain is the only credential you need to minister to others. When you think of me, never think of me as being alone. Think of me as smiling, laughing and enjoying all that God has prepared for me.

Finally, never believe you are alone. Do not focus on what you have lost, but look always at what you have left. You are surrounded by people who love you and care about you. Live with them, love with them, share with them and laugh with them. Make every day a celebration of life - a life that will never end. We will meet again, and until we do, know that I am very proud of you for never giving up.
I love you!

ALL MY LOVE GLORIA ANTHONY SHALLO'S MOM XOXO

Are You There?
by Diane Robertson


Misty breeze wraps about my shoulders, thinly clad.
I shiver not, despite the coolness on my skin.
Comfort, I now feel.
Is it you my precious Angel?


Are you there? I cannot hear your quiet voice,
But bird song fills the air From high treetops to grassy marsh.
I wonder – is it you, Dear? Are you there?


The roses in your garden bloom large,
And varied in hue from crimson deep, to barely pink.
I cup the velvet bud, its fragrance soothes a troubled mind.
This must be you, my precious Angel. Are you there?


Are you the fiery autumn maples,
Or the star-like flakes of snow?
Are you the sparkle in the water of the lake that we both loved,
Or, perhaps, the warmth I feel in the sand beneath my toes?



Though your quiet voice I cannot hear,
Nor can I see again your sparkling eyes,
Or feel your dainty hand laid gently on my own,
You are here.


For memory's book will never close –
Each lovely sound, or sight, or scent,
Another page from special times that we have shared.
Oh, yes! You are here child – everywhere!


ALL MY LOVE XOXO

 

 

 

Happy Australia day! January 26th 2010.

No matter where we live, I can only imagine that all our

beautiful Angels will be watching the

spectacular fireworks from heaven together,

as they help their Aussie Buddies celebrate

Australia day.

.

~~

I Wanted You To Know......

I Was Sitting Here In Heaven
And Having A Wonderful Day.
I Started Thinking About You
And All The Things I Didn’t Get A Chance To Say.
I Don’t Want You To Worry About Me
And Please Don’t Shed Any Tears,
Because I Will Wait For You In Heaven,
If It Takes A Hundred Years.
Everything I Had On Earth
I Have In Heaven Too!
My First Day Here
My Body Became Brand New.
It Is Really Pretty Here
And I Love My New Home,
Although Your Heart Is Broken
Because My Body Is Gone.
My Love Will Always Be There
As You Go Along The Way,
Just Take A Peek Inside Your Heart
There Is Where I’ll Stay.
Know That I Loved My Family
And All My Friends Too,
My Thoughts Will Be With Each Of You
Your Whole Life Through.

SWEET DREAMS

Sweet dreams are all I have of you, they're all you left behind.

Those cherished lovely memories, never again to find.

On earth you were so wonderful, no child could I compare

To all the love you gave to me, you were so meek, so rare.

Sweet dreams they keep me going through the long and lonely night,

How I wish that I could hug you here and squeeze you oh so tight.

If I could walk to Heaven dear, to see you every day,

Just know I'd never want to leave, I know I'd long to stay.

We parted here on earth my child, but God's will shall be done,

Then dreams will be reality for once more we'll be one.

I love you for eternity, forever and some more,

Because you were the sweetest child, the kindest and most pure.

If Heaven's full of Angels, like you were here on earth,

I thank the Lord for lending you, for giving me your birth,

One day my child I'll see you there, so please look out for me,

You'll see my smile so wide before you see my spirit free.

God takes the sweetest Angels first, this we know is true,

For He came here and looked around, my darling, He chose you!

♥♥ ♥♥ ♥♥

Thank you for your candles on Stela`s page...

What a Grieving
Mother Really Thinks

Hello old friend,
Oh yes you know
I lost my child a while ago.

No, no please don't look away
And change the subject, It's OK.
You see at first I couldn't feel,
It took so long, but now it's real.

I hurt so much inside you see
I need to talk, come sit with me
You see, I was numb for so very long,
And people said, "My, She is so strong."

They did not know I couldn't feel,
My broken heart made all unreal.
But then one day, as I awoke
I clutched my chest began to choke,

Such a scream, such a wail,
Broke from me.. My child! My child!
The horror of reality.
But everyones moved on, you see,
everyone except for me.

Now, when I need friends most of all,
Between us there now stands a wall.
My pain is more than they can bear,
When I mention my child, I see their blank stare.

"But I thought you were over it,"
Their eyes seem to say,
No, no, I can't listen to this, not today.
So I smile and pretend, and say,
"Oh, I'm OK"
.
But inside I am crying, as I turn away.
And so my old friend, I shall paint on a smile,
As I have from the start,
You never knowing all the while,
All I've just said to you in my heart.

by Kelly Cummings

 

Bereaved Parents Wish List

I wish my child hadn't died. I wish I had him
back!!
I wish you wouldn't be afraid to speak my child's name. My child lived and was very important to me. I need to hear that he was important to you also.
If I cry and get emotional when you talk about my child, I wish you knew that it isn't because you have hurt me. My child's death is the cause of my tears. You have talked about my child and you have allowed me to share my grief. I thank you for both.
Being a bereaved parent is not contagious, so I wish you wouldn't shy away from me. I need you now more than ever.
I need diversions, so I do want to hear about you, but I also want you to hear about me. I might be sad and I might cry, but I wish you would let me talk about my child; my favorite topic of the day.
I know that you think of and pray for me often. I also know that my child's death pains you too. I wish you would let me know these things through a phone call, a card or note, or a real big hug.
I wish you wouldn't expect my grief to be over. These first years
are traumatic for me, but I wish you could understand that my grief will never be over. I will suffer the death of my child until the day I die.
I am working hard in my recovery, but I wish you could understand that I will never fully recover. I will always miss my child and I will always grieve that they are gone.
I wish you wouldn't expect me "not to think about it" or "be happy". Neither will happen for a very long time, so don't frustrate yourself.
I don't want to have a "Pity party", but I do wish you would let me grieve. I must hurt before I can heal.
I wish you understood how my life has shattered. I know it is miserable for you to be around me when I'm feeling miserable. Please be as patient with me as I am with you.
When I say, "I'm doing okay", I wish you could understand that I don't "feel" okay and that I struggle daily.
I wish you knew that all of the grief reactions I'm having are very normal. Depression, anger, hopelessness and overwhelming sadness are all to be expected. So please excuse me when I'm quiet and withdrawn or irritable and cranky.
Your advice to "take it one day at a time" is excellent advice.
However, a day is too much and too fast for me right now. I wish you could understand that I'm doing good to handle an hour at a time.
Please excuse me if I seem rude, certainly not my intent. Sometimes the world around me goes too fast and I need to get off. When I walk away, I wish you would let me find a quiet place to spend time alone.
I wish you understood that grief changes people. When my child died, a big part of me died with him. I am not the same person I was before my child died and I will never be that person again.
I wish very much that you could understand ~ understand my loss and my grief.
But....
I pray daily that you will never understand

ALL MY LOVE XOXO