Grief touches all of us. It may be because of a death of a loved one, a loss of a job or tragic life events beyond our control. Grieving hurts and heals. As you read through this section, if you have something you would like to add, please send it here. By sharing, you can help others through their grief.

When my mom died February 27,2009, after a year long battle with cancer, I lost it & got real depressed. My mom was like my best friend; I held her hand until she stopped breathing. It was the hardest thing in my life I ever had to go through.

Written in 2009 by Kenisha Shaw --- Oklahoma
After viewing this site, it gave me a little hope that things will get better & just to keep pushing.

"I never lost when I was alone because you were with me. But I lost when everybody was with me."

With unconditional LOVE & PEACE,
George Stephenu
after my beloved wife died

"Searching and thinking of what can or could go wrong in the future with life, makes the present more bad than the future gone wrong. Even worse is having the knowledge that nothing ever could go wrong but still disbelieve the true overwhelming fact of it, due to the unforgivable negative past."

Written in 2009 by Konrad Clue --- United Kingdom
I felt like this and wrote my own quote.

"If we keep thinking about our past steps, with every step that we take, life will become more and more difficult... but if we think about our future, with every step that we take, life will become lighter and lighter."

Written in 2009 by Vishal Vikram --- India
It came to my mind while I was pondering over "why people suffer?"

The Price of Freedom

A ghostly image of a soldier
stood in the background,
as a mother with a babe in her
arms stood by a grave site.

She lowly whispered, "Father
this is your Son. Son this is your
Father. He gave his life so that
others might live."

Copyright © Shirley Smothers
Being a Woman and a Veteran I realize that women die and leave behind families. I wrote this poem before women were allowed into battle. Let's not forget our active, retired and dead veterans who have made sacrifices for all of us.

"Each departed friend is a magnet that attracts us to the next world."

Author Unknown
Submitted by Lorraine U. --- Michigan
I lost a guy I was seeing at work on Sept 28 2009. We were seeing one another and we did not tell anyone at work about it. We were the best of friends - talked every day! On the day he died I did not hear from him at all that day before work. We use to talk before we had to start the day. As I was going on with my day I kept calling him, leaving a voice mail asking where he was at and that I was worried. Later on I was working and the other lady I work with came up to me asking me if I heard what happen to Steve? She did not know we were seeing one another. She then told me he all the sudden died at home, right before he was planning on coming into work - his heart stopped. When she told me this, I remember I could not even stand! My heart Sank. I will never get over the pain, but this Quote makes me feel a little better, whenever I feel down.

"When I think about this life, I realize all we need just positive attitude in GOD."

Written in 2009 by William Johnson Tjan --- Indonesia

"There is nothing more disheartening when you look at a man straight in the eyes and see despair in his soul; It is even worst when you realize that you are the person on the other side of the mirror!"

Written in 2009 by Cpl B, --- California
I wrote this quote because I realize that my soul is filled with despair after coming back from Iraq, as if I lost a part of me that what makes me human.

"Strength is our will to move on, so think of today like no other because yesterday is gone and we only stand stronger."

Copyright © 2009 Chris Delsordo

What Is Hope?

Hope is believing for a better day. Hope is believing in yourself and your abilities! Hope is knowing that God is there and that he will strengthen the hearts of those who seek him!

Without hope, we have no motivation. Without hope, we are lost because we have no goals, expectations, nor beliefs.

Hoping in other people is believing that they are capable of changing. Hoping is not giving up. Hope is consistent. Hope never ends or reaches its conclusion. Hope is looking at the past, present, and future.

Hope is believing that our sins have not ruined our chances of entering the promise land. Hope is knowing that Jesus Christ walked the earth.

Hope is knowing that we can change the lives of other people! Hope is knowing that we are capable of accomplishing all of our goals.

Hope is a part of life!

Copyright © 2009 Ethen Carrell

Our earthly loss is always a heavenly gain
Although our hearts hurt and mourn in humanly pain
The fact still remains the same
That Heaven Has Gained more Love
To sprinkle down from above

Copyright © 2009 Antonio Talbert
Hold on and know this too shall pass. Cherish the memories.

Daddy, even though I loved you dear
You now walk the path of no fear
I know that love was missing in your life
You never saw your kids or your wife
But you have no idea how much I need you right now
But I will see you again one day some how
I want to say sorry for the pain I may have caused you
Just remember that I always loved you and I still do

Copyright © 2009 Karlien Jacobs

WHY

We always think it won't happen to us...
Then in an instant, without warning, it does.
We are left here on earth with our sadness and tears...
Because in that instant we realized our greatest fears.

We are sad and angry and want to know why...
God took our loved one to live in the sky.
In time our pain and anger will lessen...
And why will be answered when we get to Heaven.

Until then, hold on to your Faith and lean on those that love you...
Because God left them on Earth to help you get through.

Copyright © 2009 Melissa Johnson
A recent tragedy took place in the small town I come from and it got me to thinking just how fast our lives can be turned upside down.

I've been visiting my father for the last few weeks, as he is dying of liver cancer at 59. We lost our mother eight years ago to the same deadly disease at 49. I just don't understand why there is so much suffering.

Here I watch a strong man that has served in Vietnam as a Marine and worked for the same company for over 35 years lay helpless and out of control of his life. Each day it gets harder and harder to watch Dad slip away. I just wish I could put life on pause, just for a moment.

I needed a release so I called my soul mate and best friend. He listened to me as I cried and broke down just begging for more time with my father. He always has a way of calming me down and it's like he is inside my soul and can feel my pain. I wanted to share what he wrote.



I sit here and think...

What must it feel like... To look at someone's eyes and see your past leave you, in the blink of an eye, when you are just not ready to let go and you will fight every emotion and thought as your mind loses ground and the memories twirl up in the sky and all that is left is a flash.

What must that feel like... To know that something, you so desperately need to control, is so far out of your grasp that it weakens your inner core and leaves you winded for the hope of just one more moment.

What must that feel like...As my heart slowly drips your pain into reality, I can only imagine what it must feel like to experience the loss that you and your family are facing.

I wish I could take all the pain away from you just so you could be at peace with life for just one quick moment. It will be a long road but one thing that gives us both peace of mind... We love long journeys... I will be here for you every step of the way.

Written in 2009 by Jariel Morales
Submitted by Renee Simpson --- Florida

Gram, I keep the lights on, in case you do come home
The house is very lonely and I feel so all alone
I've counted down the days since you had to say goodbye
I go through my days trying not to cry
I'm trying to stay strong for the boys, they need me here
But I can't hold back the pain of wanting you near

I miss our daily late night talks all about our day
In which you do not tell, but you guide me the right way
If there were a way to talk to angels I'd bring you down to me
But as much as I talk, I know that you can see
So one day soon I hope, as the lights they burn so bright
That you will come home and turn them off, one by one, that night

Copyright © 2009 Melinda Stoll
I wrote this for my grandma - she raised me all of my life and she passed away in November 2008. It's been a year and the pain is still too great. I miss you grandma and I love you. If you could see, I wish you could just know that and be watching me from heaven. I miss you every day I wake up and every night I go to bed.

Oh!! Mom I Am Too Tired Today!

Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!
The day, which I have never seen, the day before yesterday!!

Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!
You knew I did not play too much in my childhood
Though you took care of me
Some things, which I wanted to share
But dad took away from me.

Those days could never change into good days.
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!

You knew I was growing with dreams in school time
But my life has changed when the things were not at all fine.
I came to know the days were gone
When I used to dream about family but dad left you alone.

Those days could never change into good days.
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!

You knew my life was no more in college
It seemed to me, as I am alone in a village
I tried my best to get rid of the past
But those images could not allow me to move fast.

Those days could never change into good days.
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!

You seemed to be happy after such a long time
When I got a job and saw you smile
Suddenly you burst out into tears
Because there was a pain with lots of fear

Those days could never change into good days.
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!

I knew the time had come when you got drained
Because the journey you lived on bumpy roads came to an end.
Now nobody knows how tired I am.
When you went and happiness clinched from my end.

Those days could never change into good days.
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!

I know you are up in heaven
To take care of everyone
Where there is another life
But for me there is no one.

Those days could never change into good days.
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!!
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today!
Oh!! Mom I am too tired today...

Copyright © 2009 Joy Sankhala

May 29, 2005 was the day I felt that I would never live to see. There are times in our life where we as parents believe that we will never outlive our children. However, that thought did become a reality to my family and me. On that day, I lost my 4-year-old daughter, Bria, in a pool drowning.

My first thoughts were why me? I can't live like this. There is no place here for me anymore. Luckily, I had family who constantly prayed repeatedly. Then I had to think about my living son and how he deserved to have a mother to talk, listen, and hang out with. There were days that I would not come out of my room, because I was consumed with my tears with the absence of sleep, as I began to shut out the world around me.

Then there was a voice asking me, "If Bria were here what would you be doing?" She would want me to live my life as if she was here. So, I began to turn my pain into joy and knew I had to get it together for those around me.

I went back to school and church and dedicated more time to my son. I believe that by returning to my life full force, I am now a better person. I believe that the only reason that was possible was by the Grace of God. I will continue with all my future goals in life and live as if she is still here.

I know that I will meet her again in Heaven. That day is one that I cannot wait for.

Written by Deonesia Grays
Be sure to visit her website www.briashouse.net dedicated to kids water safety.

"I returned to the trough of despair: Thank God it was emptied."

Written in 2009 by Arthur Robinson --- North Carolina
It reflects human nature during its time of uncertainty.

Two years have past,
And yet so fresh in my memory to last.
You have suffered so much emotional pain,
Pain that no one could explain.

I was there to help take away your pain,
But you chose to relieve me of your pain.
God has taken away the best part of my life,
But you have given me the best four years of my life.

Rest in peace my Love,
Your troubles are no more!

Written in 2009 by Reesha Singh --- South Africa
My fiance committed suicide on September 10, 2007; 8 months before we could get married. He left behind a diary explaining his reasons. My best friend and I found him on that day, and until now, I cannot get that image out of my ahead. April 16, 2009 my dad passed away of natural causes in my presence. I've lived for my dad ever since the loss of my fiance and made my dad my world! How will I pick up and move on? It's terribly difficult!

Take Heart

Pal, Are your eyes filled with tears?
And your mind clogged by fears?
Finding many a thing taking you away?
And Life still holding you in its sway?
Take heart pal, life's best
Has not come yet...

Is your strength unseen?
And your efforts in vain?
Think you lost your track, your path?
And trying to find yourself in the dark?
Take heart pal, life's best
Has not come yet...

Have your dreams gone afar?
And your plans still in the hangar?
Feeling you are bogged down?
With no sight of your own crown?
Take heart pal, Life's best
Has not come yet...

Do you see yourself lag?
And with no plausible hog?
Getting shaky with the bumps?
With no visible way through the humps?
Take heart pal, Life's best
Has not come yet...

Finally my mate,
Never think you're late...

Remember:
Till the player is eager
The game is not over
Take heart pal,
Life's best
Has not come yet...

Copyright © 2009 Sam Vijay Kumar
Words of encouragement are needed by everyone, especially when we are hurting and low. How often we have heard someone say, "Do not give up"? True, life is challenging and words of encouragement help us to keep moving. Encouragement makes this world beautiful. Why not let us say to our friends, "The best is yet to come!"

"We all hit the bottom sometimes in our lives. But it's our decision do climb back again to see the Sun shining or stay there, in the bottom, grieving on our failures and how difficult it is to climb it. So, it's up to you. Get up and see the sun or stay down in the bottom of the well. What will you do?"

Copyright © 2009 Flavio Roloff

"Deleting someone from your life is sometimes easy, but shift delete cannot be possible."

Written in 2009 by Suchitra Pathare --- India
I wrote this when someone told me he will delete me from his life.

Love Never Disappears

Love never disappears for death is a non-event.
I have merely retired to the room next door.
You and I are the same; what we were for each other, we still are.
Speak to me as you always have,
Do not use a different tone, do not be sad.
Continue to laugh at what made us laugh.
Smile and think of me.
Life means what it has always meant.
The link is not severed.
Why should I be out of your soul if I am out of your sight?
I will wait for you; I am not here, but just on the other side of this path.
You see, all is well.

St. Augustine
Submitted by Elizabeth Meister --- Nebraska

The smile on your face keeps you young;
The Lord Jesus in your heart makes you smile;
Then, it lets others see Him through you!
If you don't give Him a place in your heart,
How can He make you peaceful?

Written in 2009 by Junkopan M. --- China
When the smile had gone from my face, it looked terrible! And I thought of Him.

"You could spend days, weeks, or even years debating over what could of, would of, or should of happened... or you could just move the heck on!"

Josh
Submitted by Tania T., Age 17 --- New Zealand
Several times I had tried to commit suicide. Then my best friend Josh said this to me. 1 year on I'm alive and well and even better; I'm happy again :) Never give up hope. Fight for everything you are and believe in because you are worth it, my friend. xox

I once heard there are many ways to lose a person...death being the kindest.

3 years ago I 'lost' my husband. There were no sympathy cards - although I think I bought myself one for validation - no dinners brought and no formal burial. Because when he died, it was not his physical body but his outstanding character (or so I thought) of who I had.

I am still in mourning and am still with him because sometimes, when we learn of the real person under the layers, they are just hiding and scared too and that sometimes in great death there comes new life.

We all need that umbrella of safe commitment from each other to grow. In pain and suffering you come to know God in a deeper way [Book 'shattered dreams']

In the end all that matter most for me is to know people change but the holy trinity never changes. If you want to be happy, no one can stop you.

Written in 2009 by Kathleen T. --- Washington

My Dad died when I was 17 (2002)...it wasn't my first death but it was so hard to deal with but I had my mum to help me through it. We got there in the end and around 2 years afterwards, I woke up one morning and I felt different...Life had changed. I'd stopped crying when I thought of my dad and started smiling when I remembered the great things about him. I stopped feeling sorry for myself that I only had him for 17 years and started feeling grateful that I had him.

Then in May last year, my mum passed away. She was my life and my everything. She had cancer, so me and my sister, my partner and our daughter looked after her at home. I wasn't there at the end, my sister was.

For a little while, I was angry that she was there and I wasn't because I'd promised my mum I would be. She asked me to be there to hold her hand...and I didn't do that for her.

We had her funeral and so many people came. It made me realize just how many people my mum had affected, even though through poor illness for over a decade she hardly left the house, our house was always full of laughter, people, and her. She was everywhere...in the walls, the ceilings.

It was hard going back there after the funeral and expecting to see her face, her croaky laughter telling me not to cry, to be strong. But amazingly...I feel the same now as I did about my dad, grateful; grateful that I had two parents who loved me.

Some people are lucky enough to have their parents for 60 years of their lives...others never meet them. Children in Africa die everyday from hunger, other children are beaten to death by parents who just don't care. I guess I'm not so unlucky after all.

Written in 2009 by Cat M. --- United Kingdom
I wanted people to realize that there is always someone worse off...always. Life could always be worse and life never just stops even though that's how it feels.