mike

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by Suzanne L. Adams

Poems and Songs
About Life / About Love / About Children / About Moms / About Dads / About Dogs /About God / About Christmas

The Story of Mike & Annie

The Story of Mike This portrait was done in soft pastels for the parents of Mike after he died suddenly of pancreatic cancer. I spent several nights toiling over this portrait, making sure I captured his spirit essence and likeness. His best friend, and a very good friend of mine as well, did most of the critiquing. It was hard for both of us, especially because we had to look into his eyes and study his every feature either from the photos I was working with or the portrait itself as it progressed. Mike had the most stunning blue eyes and mild manner. He was liked by so many people, visitation at the funeral went on and on. After the portrait was completed, it was displayed in the news paper and at his Memorial Dinner the following year.
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Before Mike died, his parents asked that he send them a sign after he passed to let them know he was OK. The sign they chose was an owl. It was only a matter of days after his death that an owl appeared in the most unusual place--on the golf course where they were golfing, in a nearby tree! When his parents saw the owl, they were amazed and to this day they know that Mike is safe and that there is surely a God and a Heaven!

After the story was told to me about the owl, I said to myself, if ever I have a loved one who I know is about to die, I will ask that they send me a sign once they pass, to let me know they are OK and in Heaven with God.

The Story of Annie

Then, a couple of years later, one of my lifelong best friends, Annie, passed away with lung cancer on the morning of Good Friday, April 14, 2006. I had asked her to show me a sign when she passed, like a hummingbird in my yard, to let me know that she was OK, but when she died on Good Friday, the day Jesus died on the Cross, it was the most precious and perfect of all signs, and the only one I will ever need to let me know that she is at peace with God in Heaven. Even so, I believe I had another sign because that night, I looked out my glass sliding door and walked out onto my deck to see the most beautiful clear sky, with stars and a full moon glowing through the bare mighty branches of the majestic oak trees. The night air was calm and of a perfect temperature and the moon, which has always held special meaning to me, was radiant with light. Ann left behind a young child, and the song she picked for her funeral was one that was to make her son not cry and know she was in a better place. The song she picked, "When I get to Where I'm Going," is written below:

Annie's Moon, April 14, 2006, Good Friday

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(Annie's Song)
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When I Get Where I'm Goin'
(Brad Paisley)

When I get where I'm goin'
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain.

When I get where I'm goin'
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
So when I get where I'm goin'
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
And then I'll hug his neck.

When I get where I'm goin'
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm goin'
Don't cry for me down here.

So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do.

But when I get where I'm goin'
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace
Oh, when I get where I'm goin'
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm goin'...

She Dreams She's Dancing
(Monk and Neagle)
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Memories surround me
But sadness has found me
I’d do anything for more time
Never before has someone meant more
And I can’t get you out of my mind

There is so much that I don’t understand
But I know
You’re dancing with the angels
Walking in new life
You’re dancing with the angels
Heaven fills your eyes
Now that you’re dancing with the angels

You had love for your family
Love for all people
Love for the Father, and Son
Your heart will be heard
In your unspoken words
Through generations to come

We’re only here for such a short time
So I’m gonna stand up
Shout out
And sing Hallelujah
One day I’ll see you again

Praise Him Through the Storm
(Casting Crowns)

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Visit The Healing Garden
"Nature heals the heart and soul, and those are things the doctors can't help.
That's what the garden is all about — healing the parts of yourself that the doctors can't."

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email suzanne at
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