"Everything happens for a reason. You might ask yourself why, that which you are going through has happened to you, but just understand that you are being made strong. Blaming others simply means you are not in total control of your life so you find someone responsible for your failures. Just don't give up in life. If you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl, if you can't crawl, then roll. Just make sure you keep moving in life. Never give up. Take it one step at a time."

Author Unknown
Submitted by Machawe Chaawe Dlamini --- Swaziland

"Trials are blessings we don't understand yet..."

Written in 2011 by John Giroux --- Kansas

"Friends: If friends you have loved and cherished sacrifice your friendship through exclusion, walk away in silence. Let the thunder of memories fill their empty sky!"

Written in 2011 by Carl Stoynoff --- Canada
Sharing the pain of loss

"Don't count your tears, they mean only sorrow. But count the ones you hold back, which are your strength that makes you stronger."

Written in 2010 by EmmaGrace
I wrote this quote in a time of grief for myself. I let a friend read this and she began to look confused, and looked up at me and hugged me. This quote means: [Don't look back at the past sorrow, but look to the times you didn't cry because you didn't let it get you down. This will help you succeed, and be happy in life.]

"Life is full of hardship and sadness; happiness is the interval in life. So please enjoy the happiness, you may not find it often."

Written in 2006 by Rekha Patel --- Canada
I am a single parent, my spouse died six years ago. I am a hard working person and trying to provide good life for my two boys. No matter how hard I work, there is no end to this hardship. These are my own thoughts. I am not an Author but I do write often.

The Aunt (ant)
I wrote this for my aunt that is going thru cancer and enduring chemo.

"I march on with one task in mind. Not a hill or a pebble will discourage me from my task. There are many obstacles that will get in my way and try to persuade me to quit but I have a task to complete. Even though I am a very small part of this world, I am given a task by God and I will Endure."

Copyright © 2011 James Zollicoffer

"When you're looking into the distance and see no sign of hope (withered flowers, dried up rivers, thirsty earth with cracks and crevices) know that the sky is what holds the key to the situation. Don't focus on the circumstance that's held before you; focus on the resolution and speak as if it has already happened. Remember, Jesus reins, and when He is put as the focus of your trial, yes, there may be a time of drought, but there with also be a season of flooding. And a once dead land will be revived and live as beautifully as before, because it had overcome the circumstance, and KNEW there was going to be a resolution."

Copyright © 2012 Emily Higgins

Very recently, my cousin passed away. He was only 35 yrs old, and many of our family members are having trouble coming to terms with this loss not only because of his age, but because it happened very quickly. The diagnosis of terminal cancer came just 11 days before his passing. I sent the following poem written by me to share with everyone, hoping that it helps them find a place to start the healing process. Writing it has helped me a great deal.

The Path

You leave behind such memories
That loved ones will hold dear
They'll take them down the path of life
Though that path may seem unclear

It's missing that bright sunny warmth
And those skies of blue
That always seemed to be there
When they walked that path with you

Today they gather together
As you watch them from above
And learn to walk a new life path
Now lit with just your love

They start out with uncertainty
It's not the path they knew
When they walked life's path before
Hand in Hand with you

Your light will never really fade
It gets brighter every day
As you lead them down the path
And you show them the way

So guide them with a gentle hand
Down that Path Unknown
And help them through the twists and turns
As they make their way back home

Those last few steps may be quite hard
And difficult to bare
But the path ends at Heaven's Gate
And they will find you there

So begin your journey today my friends
Keep pushing through the pain
He waits for you at Heaven's Gates
And you will be together again

Copyright © 2011 Rebecca Heibein
I am a mom to two wonderful children, my youngest has high functioning Autism. Writing is a release for me, on those days that the stress of everything takes it toll. Much of what I write is never seen, but on occasion, when I feel confident enough, little pieces make their way to others for reading.

"I know you may be thinking why? Why must bad things happen to good people? But remember, everything happens for a reason and for those reasons you are one step closer to God's plan. He has his hands on you and he said he'll see you through and when you cry, he's holding you. You're not alone."

Written in 2011 by Chanelle H., Age 15 --- Ohio
The power of God can help you through anything. It may seem like he's not there but when times get hard, it means you're one step closer to your break through and he's always there.

"Missing someone isn't about how long it has been since you last seen them, or the amount of time it's been since you last talked. It is about the very moments when you are doing something and you wish that they were right there with you!"

Author Unknown
Submitted by Shankar A. Raja --- India

"Focus only on what you can change, don't focus on what you can't control, think positive and the positives will come."

Written in 2011 by S. Reiter --- Canada
I lost my 19 year old son to suicide - I wrote this for myself and read it every day. It helps me and I am hoping it may help someone else as well.

"Although we attempt to be good, we have determined that good by definition is of a favorable character or tendency. We spend a lifetime attempting the impossible and find ourselves at an end with no result. Giving up and realizing the task is too big to concur, we are left with one realization. A higher power must be the good we seek and the treasure we desire. A free gift to receive, that we just need to ask and we shall receive."

Copyright © 2011 JD Rodriguez
My life has been filled with many love ones that cared for me and have passed. I remember them and wonder who can be good and where does good come from? God revealed his majesty and great power in my life as I sat alone needing answers. God is good and we all need to taste His goodness.

"When love is lost, do not bow your head in sadness; instead keep your head up high and gaze into heaven for that is where your broken heart has been sent to heal."

Author Unknown
Submitted by Melinda R. --- Louisiana
I lost my soulmate just a few months ago. At first, I felt as though I couldn't move on and it was very hard to hold my head up high. I felt like my entire life was over with. I couldn't find the strength to move on and I walked around looking for pity. After about two weeks, I started praying because I just couldn't take the pain anymore. Once I gave my heart to God, all of the sadness I was feeling turned into joy because I gave my heart to Him and trusted that He could heal a broken heart.

"If I could measure the loss of my mom, I would not have enough space or time to be satisfied. What I can do with these however, is use them to let everyone know how much more immense such love can heal your past, present and any wound you might come across. Healing is within me... because of her."

Written in 2011 by Francisco Leon --- Mexico

"In the end, not a physical person who will be seen, not the wealth that will be weighed, but the goodness of their lives that will be remembered."

Written in 2011 by Tri Wahyuni Christiani --- Indonesia

Seeing death before
a sleepless sign
wishing you could say your last goodbye
hoping for that day to come
to look and hear
welcome home

as your best friend sits
waiting for you to come
she's giving you messages
through your dreams
finding them in her life
is your goal

you fill with rage in your soul
people think you're crazy
but it's no lie
I mean you just saw her
in your dream tonight

she spoke to me
I swear
but she's gone
dead

I went to her funeral
I didn't get my closure
fully seen
I believe she's here
to welcome me

Copyright © 2011 Nick Cooper

My Beautiful Father, you left this earth 3 weeks ago (I am still in disbelief). Dad, I am so proud of how Brave & Strong you were to the very end! The memories we made, I will always hold close to my heart! Dad, hear my daily prayers for you, see the comfort that you have brought me, see my Smile that looks like yours, see the love that I share everyday with family & friends and know that you will Always be the sunshine in my life. I hope you are at peace Dad & that you are still smiling up in heaven. I now have Two Angels on my shoulders. I will forever Love & Miss you Dad!

Copyright © 2011 Lucy M. Garcia

"We can't forget our pain in a day, but we can heal our emotional wound by seeing it as an experience we can learn from."

Author Unknown
Submitted by Hope Nowoghowenma --- Nigeria
To help those in grief

"God saw her getting tired and her cure was not to be, so he put his arms around her and whispered come with me. With tearful eyes we watched and saw her passed away. Although we loved her dearly we couldn't make her stay. A golden heart stop beating fast, working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best."

Author Unknown
Submitted by J.P. --- Georgia
I grew up not knowing how sad it is to lose a family member. And when we found out my mom had cancer, we tried so hard to do every thing that was possible. My senior year days were spent mostly at school and after hospital or home. And when I graduated I didn't start college so I could be with her and help her with her chemo and take care of my 12 year old brother.

She fought this so hard, but at the end she didn't want to fight any more. Her cancer had reached the brain and the doctors only gave us a few weeks - that turned out to be a day. A week before my 19th birthday she passed away. We had planned to spend my birthday at the beach; instead I spend it in my house crying wishing she was there. I miss her a lot.:( I found this poem/quote to be lovely because I saw my mom take her last breaths. It hurts. But I know she is in no longer pain. )

It has been one month since my Father's passed on. I never thought I could live a day without him. I have realized that Death is a brief separation and a temporary pain. I always say to myself how lucky I was to have a father like him for almost 22 years in my life. I remember how he was taking care of his family, always kind and he had a simple wish always to be happy because of his jolly personality.

Father, even though you've lost in this material world, your memories will always remains in our hearts forever. You're now in the hands of God with peace. I know father, that someday we will see each other but the saddest part is until now, the pain you created sinks in me because I love you so much. Goodbye "father" but keep in your mind that my goodbyes are not forever; goodbyes are not the end - they simply mean I'll miss you... until we meet again!!! God Bless.

I hope you will realize the importance of a father in your life, so give all your love and respect until it is not too late. A father's love lasts a lifetime.
Your Daughter, Fanny

Fanny Vicente --- Philippines

"You are my friend because you are the closest person that hears my cry and comes to my rescue. You are my brother, not because of the same blood or same womb but by the heart of which you care for my success. You are my father, not because you laid with my mother to give birth to me but by the nurture of which you gave to me to defeat my hard times. You are my teacher, not because you give instruction for me to keep but you made me learn a lesson that shows me ways to conquer challenges. You are my lover not because I show love to you but of the love you show to me."

Copyright © 2011 Chijioke John Emenike
I wrote these words to remind people the true facts about being related to each other. We see ourselves having some kind of socialization but behave as if we don't know the main purpose of being together, why we need each other.

A heartfelt tribute and salute to all our brave armed forces heroes, past and present. Our grateful nation cannot thank you enough.

We Thank The Men And Women

We thank the men and women who serve and served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. Some paid the ultimate sacrifice and are never coming back.

The price of freedom and liberty is never free. Freedom is expensive and comes at a high cost and price tag and unlike merchandise, freedom and liberty cannot be bought or purchased off a rack. Just ask any of our brave and patriotic servicemen and women who serve and served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

May all the members of our great armed forces be ever remembered and all the fallen members who made the ultimate sacrifice never be forgotten.

Copyright © 2011 Joseph P. Martino

I had a very good friend of mine who passed on 2 months ago, things were really bad for me but with God by my side I'm starting to heal slowly but slowly.

Written by Lunga L. --- South Africa

"Life without hope is hopeless, you need to put the old past behind you and move up to gain your balance and confidence in you. Grief can destroy but patience can rebuild. Live well."

Written in 2011 by Kunle Oyewole --- Nigeria
To advise people on how to control this situation if you are a victim once in the past and how to handle them.

"We cannot hold onto someone we really love till eternity if we find ourselves prolonging his or her life in agony."

Written in 2011 by Gina L.A. --- Philippines
I experienced this with my brother and my mom when they suffered a lot in bed of pain and agony.