Last month when I went back to Youngstown to visit I was given a great book of poems, sayings, notes, and letters from my 'family' and friends. My friends Jennie,Lora and Teressa were with me in the ER on the day Shawn died. All three of them stayed with me for the entire day until my parents were able to get to Youngstown. They are the greatest of friends and have done more for me in the last 2 and a half months than I could ever have imagined. They are so special to me and mean so much to me. I really don't know how I will ever repay them. It was their idea to make this book for me. I don't know if either of them know this but I look at this book of sayings, notes, and poems every night before I go to bed. Some nights I read every letter by every person, but many nights I just read the letters from Lora, Jennie and Teresa. They all mean so much to me. There is one other poem that I read every night as well, it is from an older lady that used to work with me, I thought that for this post I would share this poem with you all it has so much meaning behind it...
"You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone,
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what he'd want:
Smile, open your eyes, love, and go on"
By: David Harkins-British Poet and Painter
I love you Shawn Coin, I always will! I'm trying really hard to smile, to open my eyes, to love, and to go on, it is so hard, but I'm trying.
11 comments:
What a great poem. Thanks for sharing!
-Jo
That is a beautiful poem Jen. Thank you.
Keep trying to smile. I'm glad you have such great friends at a time like this.
Eleanor
That was one of my favorites too. Shawn's headstone turned out beautifully. If headstones can be considered beautiful. Hope you and Megan are having a good time. I'm glad to hear you are getting out of the house. Feel free to tackle one of the fake santas. It might make you feel a little better.
Beautiful poem - it means a lot to me, so I am glad you shared it.
Thanks for keeping me in your prayers - please know that I do the same for you!
What a beautiful poem!
I can't imagine what you must be going through, even though my heart aches for you in your losses.
It's not been that long - you've every right to mourn. The important thing is that you are trying to look forward to the future. It's when you try to remain in the past that mourning becomes a problem.
Sharing your memories of your husband will help you to heal. Still praying for you in MI.
Crying puddles of tears with you today. Thank you for sharing the poem and your deepest thoughts.
Hugs and blessings,
Jen O.
That it an incredible poem.
I love the poem.. I am looking forward to the next 24 posts and have enjoyed the ones you have written already.
What amazing friends you have, and what a beautiful poem they gave you. I hope all of us who have ever lost can use those words to help us go on.
Shawn's headstone is PERFECT. Even though I never got to know him, you've all let us know who he really was. What a blessing he was to so many.
I left you a little something on our blog when you have a chance to check it out. It can also help you with another day of posting. :)
what a wonderful poem!
What a beautiful poem! Brought tears to my eyes!
Post a Comment