In Memory of Matthew Scott Holbrook

Don't Cry For Me

I’m sorry that I had to leave you.
A distant voice called me away.
There was so much left for us to share,
so much we never got to say.
But all my pain is far behind me,
confusion finally laid to rest.
I hope my life here had a reason.
What you do now will be the test.
I died too early, but I always knew I would.
I lived life the way I wanted,
and always looked for something good in everyone.
As I look down upon you now,
my hopes for you are still so strong.
Better to have loved and lost,
but we haven’t lost for long.
Don’t cry for me, beloved friends.
I've risen beyond this world of fear.
Hold my friendship in your memory,
and always know that I am near.
I know the grief will nearly kill you.
Dry your eyes, and carry on.
Remember me, for through your lives,
my spirit will live on.

Matt, you have no idea the love that surrounded you here on this earth. The days ahead will only be more painful without you for your mother, your beautiful children, your sister and all of us who loved you so much.

As much as we tried to love you, you simply pushed us away for a life full of heartache and more pain. Oh, how I wish you knew the excitement we had for you when we heard of your triumphs and achievements. Oh how we rejoiced and praised our loving God for your sucess.

The only comfort we have now, is that you are in the arm's of Jesus. And that one day when our time on earth is done that we will see you again and can worship with you in heaven. Until then, we can only pray that the love of our God will be forever with your mother, children and sister and that through time they will find peace and joy in your memory.

I will forever carry you with me in my thoughts and heart with my own children, for you where as close as a son to me. I watched you grow from a little boy to a handsome man and my memories of your last visit will forever give me comfort. You will be missed but not forgotten.

I love you Matt,
Aunt Vicki

To my friend Cheryl who suffered a great loss

Do not suppose, my dearest ones, that when I have left you I would be nowhere and no one. Even when I was with you, you did not see my soul, but knew that it was in this body of mine from what I did. Believe that it is still the same, even though you do not see it ...
preserve my memory by the loyalty and piety of your lives.
Weeping is the most human and universal of all relief measures.

Safely Home

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder why I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.

There is work still waiting for you
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth --
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

People in mourning have to come to grips with death before they can live again. Mourning can go on for years and years. It doesn't end after a year: That's a false fantasy. It usually ends when people realize that they can live again, that they can concentrate their energies on their lives as a whole, and not on their hurt, and guilt, and pain.

This has been a very trying week for me, my best friend of 35 years lost her son in an accident this past week. I felt helpless, knowing all to well the pain she was feeling.

Death of a child is the most severe test that you will ever face, and if you can rise above your grief and if you will trust in God, then you will be able to surmount any other difficulty with which you may be faced. I have always said " if I can survive the death of my children, there is nothing on this side of heaven that I can't handle."

Surviving the loss of a child is its own kind of test. To tell our story is a way of affirming the life of the loved one we have lost--the experiences we had together, the favorite family stories. To tell the story is a way of moving the grief along, and so contributes to our own healing.

I love you my friend of 35 years, and I am always here for you as you have been for me so many times before. I understand your pain, your hurt and your grief. I won't wait for you to call me, I am here.

Moral of this Blog: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are all passed away" Revelation 21:4

Labor Day

Labor Day officially ends summer,
As those who work enjoy one final fling.
Blessed are those who bear the daily burden,
Of whom few savants speak or minstrels sing,
Returning to the shallows of September.

Days of ease give way to hours certain,
A long routine that wends its way towards winter,
Yearning for the promises of spring.