In Dr. Bernie Siegel's new book, Buddy's Candle, a father shares a meaningful story from his childhood with his nine year old son. In a gentle way, the father describes how a loving dog named Buddy not only helped him to heal when facing a serious illness, but also changed his life in miraculous ways. Buddy's Candle is a touching and heartwarming story. In its gentle way, it helps us to deal with grief and teaches us how to live life fully and accept loss and death with an open heart. The original and charming illustrations by Mari Gayatri Stein take us on a joy filled adventure. These full spectrum color drawings add humor, and a heartfelt exuberance.

As a surgeon who has worked with people with life threatening illnesses for many years, Dr. Bernie Siegel shares in this story his belief that there is a light in each of us by God's/Dog's design. And, that we are all a part of the candle parade of light. As long as we remember to love, our candles will glow with life as will Buddy's candle across the Rainbow Bridge. This is a story both children and adults will find healing, uplifting, and inspiring.
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I knew this day would eventually come
But I never thought it would be now
She was so precious, she was the one
Who would change my life some how.

You are not supposed to bury your children
They are supposed to bury you
It's hard to think this disease would take her
And there is nothing I can do.

It was so hard to say those words
Because we all loved her so
I didn't want her to suffer any more
So I had to let her go.

Her passing was so hard to handle
But has made us oh so strong
We know the road will be a battle
But she is where she belongs.

Copyright © 2003 by Raquel Calderon. All rights reserved.

Suicide, it's not the way to go
Don't believe the lie, live your life to show
At the end of every tunnel, you come into the light
Just wait until the morning comes, to chase away your night
And live, live, live, we love you as you are
Live, live, live, shine as the stars

Hang on, think back, to the good times you had
Laugh a little, look ahead, but don't be sad
Your life is very precious, to everyone around
Please make us a promise, and be forever bound
To live, live, live, we love you as you are
Live, live, live, shine as the stars

Call me, talk to me, come over for a while
Let me brighten up your day, and see you smile
Hold my hand, I understand, what you're going through
Remember this my dear friend, every day is new
So live, live, live, we love you as you are
Live, live, live, shine as the stars 
  
Live, live, live, we love you as you are
Live, live, live, shine as the stars
Live, live, live, we love you as you are
Live, live, live, shine as the stars

Dedicated to Cris Angela (ANGEL) E. Magno

She is brave enough to bear the pain alone
Never tell any friend nor loved ones at home
She did it so for a big reason
For her great love and compassion.

She is brave enough to fight for life alone
Not even one has been informed
She did it so for a big reason
So Mom and Dad won't worry at all.

She is brave enough to cross the line
Stood gallantly to face the time
No one knows that it's final
Because her love is so divine.

For love of Me, Gelo and Mom
She kept her secrets all beyond
So peace and harmony in us will reign
No agony, no sacrifice.

She is the Brave Loving Angel
Touching lives everywhere
She is going away up there
Her memories will stay forever.

She is The Brave Loving Angel of mine
Leaving us for life eternal
Her wings spread so far and wide
To join the Great Kingdom of GOD.

Copyright © 2008 Bong Magno. All rights reserved.

This poem is written in loving memory of our daughter Angel Magno http://angelmagno.gonetoosoon.co.uk/

This poem was written for a co-worker of mine whose 8 year old son just passed away on December 21, 2007.

Jacob's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep, I know my soul you'll surely keep and if I die before I wake, I pray dear Lord my body you'll take. I pray that you will keep my mommy and daddy strong, let them know that Heaven is where I belong. I pray that you watch over my brother and sisters with care and know in spirit I am always there. I pray for those nurses and doctors who take care of me when I was ill and know Lord that it was you  that gave them the skill. I pray now that I can finally rest because in your arms is where I will sleep best. Amen.

Copyright © 2007 Tamara Pighet. All rights reserved.

My name is Aqualynne Carnahan. This past July 8, my beautiful 17-year-old daughter died in her sleep. She had epilepsy and wasn't taking her prescribed medication. She'd been staying with my father in Michigan while getting her GED while I was working in Virginia. She died at her paternal mother's house.

It was a shock to us all. I'd been led to believe by doctors that death by epilepsy was very rare and that it was something that she'd potentially outgrow. Obviously, this did not happen.

I found your website through a Yahoo search. I've been stuck in Michigan these past few months dealing with my father. He became suddenly and terribly ill after my daughter died, and I was the only one who could stay with him. He's doing much better now, but it's been a long road.  I've lost people I thought were friends and learned that some I thought of only as being on the outer edges of my family and social structure were dependable, wonderful human beings.

While going through my own grief and sudden exile from my job and my life, I did find solace in the poetry and articles at your site. I'm heading back to Virginia in just over a week, but I assure you, I'll still be visiting your site often.

Anyway, to get to the point, I've always been an amatuer writer and writing poetry and a short story has helped me a great deal in dealing with my grief. I'm sending you two of the poems that I've written. Feel free to share them. I know reading other's poetry, although heart-rending, has often given me some comfort.

As I light this candle in memory of you I still remember the awful pain of losing you. Though you are gone from my sight, deep in my heart your flame will always burn bright. My eyes are often filled with tears but not as much as they were in those first few days.

When I close my eyes I can still see your smile and hear your laugh as I think of you. As I now stare at the flame of the candle I can see images of you dancing in the light. So as the flame burns brighter so shall my love be even stronger for the rest of my days.

Copyright © William T. Patterson, Jr. 12/2001. All rights reserved.

We do not remember days, we remember moments.

In their book Spiritual Literacy (Touchstone Books, 1998), authors
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat tell about Oggie Rand. He manages a
cigar store in Brooklyn. Oggie has an unusual habit - at precisely
eight o'clock each morning, he photographs the front of the store from
exactly the same spot. He collects his daily snapshots in photograph
albums, each labeled by date. He calls his project his "life's work."

One day Oggie showed his albums to a friend. Flipping the pages of the
albums, the man noticed in amazement that the pictures were all the
same! Oggie watched him skim through the pictures and finally replied,
"You'll never get it if you don't slow down, my friend. The pictures
are all of the same spot, but each one is different from every other
one. The differences are in the detail. In the way people's clothes
change according to season and weather. In the way the light hits the
street. Some days the corner is almost empty. Other times it is filled
with people, bikes, cars and trucks. It's just one little part of the
world, but things take place there, too, just like everywhere else."

This time Oggie's friend looked more carefully at each picture. No two
were alike. He slowly became aware of how unique every moment is.
Through a series of photographs, he became conscious of one of life's
great truths -- that each minute that passes is special, even sacred!

Writer Henry Miller has said, "The moment one gives close attention to
anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome,
indescribably magnificent world in itself." But we'll never get it if
we don't slow down. For it is these moments -- not whole days, weeks,
months or years -- that we will finally remember. Whatever happiness
and joy is to be found in life will be found in the moments.

Pay as close attention to each moment as you can, as if you were
carefully observing a series of snapshots. Don't rush through them,
allowing your mind to jump so far ahead that the present is lost. Each
is unique. Each is sacred. And each holds a special place in time. In
the end, it is these moments you will cherish and remember.

About the author:  Steve Goodier is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. 

The day we got that call I really didn't think
you'd die I must say
For we were just making plans
For what was to be your Christmas wedding day
What has been two years
Has seemed much longer to me
Now you're in our hearts
Its how it has to be

You were taken away from me at such a young age
I guess you could say
You were released from your cage
Everybody always says I feel your pain
But they don't

It's like clothes
They are perfect until they get stained
Yes our mother misses you
I hear her cries throughout the night
But I understand that kind of pain
For me its just the same

I always wish I could have been there for you
To help you safely out of the car
Shoot, I would rather you be behind prison bars
Than not here at all

But because of you
I know that there will be a day
That I will finally get to see you
And see that smile on your face

You brought us to God
You showed us the way
You let us know his word
You were always brave

I was always jealousCause you were beautiful and smart
But I was always happy cause you were my sister
From the start

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you
And how things didn't have to go wrong
Now I'm always wondering what to do

The world can take away my belongings, everything I have,
He can take away my life
But he will never take away the love
And special relationship that we had

I would give anything to go back and change that day
I would give anything to have told you that I love you
Before you went to another place
A place more perfect than earth
A place more safe and warm

But at the same time that you are in heaven
You are in my heart for sure
I'm just waiting one day
To wake up from this bad dream
But the scary thing is I'm not dreaming

My biggest wish is that I could have been there to let you know
How much I really love you
But now it's too late

If I could talk to everybody in the world
I'd let them know
To be careful for what they ask for
Be careful of what they say
Because you never know when
someone you love becomes an angel…
For me December 1st was that day

I love you Jill

Love always, Jessy
 
Written For My Big Sister By: Jessy Campbell
Nov.29,2001

Every day brings something different
Each day brings something that's new
Whether it's new found feelings of happiness
Or thinking of something I should have said to you

I wake each day feeling lonely
I go to bed feeling that same way too
The habits are breaking slowly
But I still can't stop missing you

The phones don't ring like they used to
The places we went aren't so important anymore
I'm used to those things being missing
Yet I'm still hurting right down to the core

I try to take each day as it comes
I've stopped trying to fill in the gap
I've accepted that I can no longer have you
Even though my heart still lies on your lap

I'm still mixed up confused and lonely
And everyone outside seems to forget
That I'm missing the most special person
And that I'm not nearly over him yet

Some people see life as a whole
The don't need to break it down to cope
I'm breaking it down and getting by day by day
My existence is like a knotted up rope

I need someone to love and feel close to
I want to be special again so very bad
I know I'll never feel the way that I want to
No one can love me like I was loved by my dad

I write because it makes me feel close to you
I like to think that you can hear what I say
I know I'm probably just being silly
But it helps me get by day by day

Love you Dad xxx
Copyright Jenny Harris, November 28, 2002