Caught in the undertow.

A dear friend contacted me recently to let me know that her beloved adult daughter, Lisa, had quite suddenly taken her own life.

I cannot find the right words.
Instead I will share this poem, written by Lisa's cousin.

She was sad in a sea of love, and the undertow was very strong.

May the sparkle of the sand remind us of the love she had in her heart.

May the tides calm her as they carry her to the other shore.

And her mom shared this moving piece.

No one knew the torment,

that you were going through;

We only kept on seeing

What we really wanted to.

We saw the outward smile,

but not your inner pain;

We never really dreamt

That you would never smile again.

Forgive us if we failed to see,

What we could do to aid;

Or, if we failed to comprehend,

How much you were afraid.

We pray your mental anguish,

Will now forever cease;

And that your deep anxieties,

Will be replaced by peace.

We know your pain invaded,

Every single thought you had'

It made you cry internally,

And deeply, deeply sad.

But we in turn remember,

The good times, not the bad;

We remember when you smiled at us,

And not when you were sad.

So when we think about your life,

We won't dwell upon its close;

We'll remember all the good times,

And forget about life's blows.

We'll remember all the happiness,

The joy and not the tears;

The assurance and the confidence,

And not irrational fears.

Our lives have all been better,

Because you have been there;

So now we leave your memory,

In God's all-loving care.

c2008  Dick Underwood

 

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