~ Dedicated to Marie Alexander ~

Marie has gone to heaven now to be with Jesus. She is with her daughter now .. the one she wrote about in the poems on this page.

Marie was a writer of poetry and she allowed me to use many of her poems on this website. Many of them are in the Patriotic Section. She had a fervent love of our country, this USA.

Marie was no stranger to sorrow and grief during her life here on earth, but she kept her sweetness because of her love for the Lord and others. She was victorious in spite of her trials because she never faltered in her faith that the Lord had it all in His loving Hands, and ultimately it would all turn into everlasting joy.

Just before she went home to be with our Lord, Marie asked me if I would feature some of her writings about handling grief, sorrow, and hard times in our lives. I like to think that she can see I've done the first page in this section, in honor of that request. She was so excited as we discussed my creating a place for writings and poems that would minister to those who are grieving or going through challenging times in their lives, for whatever reason. She knew that we need encouragement, hope and understanding during those times. She wanted to contribute to that in any way she could.

Marie made an untold number of friends on the internet and brightened many lives with her gift of writing and the friendship she so freely offered to us. She was a special angel on the internet and she had a lasting impression on my life! I never met her face to face but I know she is beautiful! I saw a glimpse of her soul!

I had almost forgotten my plans to use Marie's grief poems, until a very dear friend, Marjorie Castleberry, suggested that I create a section with the themes ... "When Life Get's Hard" or "When Times Are Tough - along those lines ... In my heart was confirmation that this was an inspired idea and it was time to bring it to pass. So, Marjorie is responsible for this coming to fruition, having given me the incentive to begin this section. Thank you sincerely, Marjorie.

So, on behalf of Marjorie and myself, I'm proud to introduce this section in honor of Marie Alexander and dedicated to her memory.

Marie, dearest sister in Jesus, if you're reading this, we send you our love and greetings, and we thank you for using your gifts to enrich our lives, and for the love you gave to us. You're always remembered in our hearts. 'Til we meet again. We love you!

A trilogy of Poems

~ My Daughter ~

I visit often the place you lay

And touch the ground with my tears

Then touch the letters that spell your name

And measure your few short years

I whisper words you never hear

And call your name in vain

I miss you so I can hardly speak

Or bear this lonely pain

I miss you so, and right now I'm sad

For my memories - how freely they play

Guilt and regret are the hills I must climb

But to heal - there is no other way

Then somewhere - from a tree close by

A bird sings its morning song

And GOD's colors start to brighten the sky

HE won't leave me this way for long

I pray and He sends me the peace that I need

And somehow you're not far away

But watching with GOD till we meet again

When He calls me to heaven - one day.

Copyright (c) Marie Alexander 8/23/84

JUST THOUGHTS

I wish I could be stronger

As I've seen some people do

I wish I could accept your death,

And not grieve so over you

For I often have to hide them

These longings deep inside

Just to see you coming through my door

But tears betray my pride.

Doesn't any one understand?

I'm missing "a part of me"

And the love I had for ONLY YOU

Has nowhere else to be

I need this grief I have for you.

I miss you so - everyday

Only GOD and time can heal this hurt

And dry my tears away

So 'til that time, my tears will fall

As I hold each memory near

No one can take these away from me

I'll always hold them dear.

Copyright (c) Marie Alexander 12/20/84

A PLEA

PLEASE ... let me speak her name

It hurts so to have to hide.

My need to share some thought of her

My daughter - my child that died

PLEASE ... make the feeling her name can bring

A finding, and binding of two

A loving remembrance "that she was"

It's something I need of you.

PLEASE ... Share a long forgotten time

That only you can tell

I long to hear she touched your life

I can cherish your memory as well.

PLEASE ... don't deny my need to grieve

For only then can I heal

With openness, tears, and speaking her name

And admitting this loss that's "so real"

PLEASE ... don't leave me alone - not now

I need to know that you care

My grief will not end by ignoring the fact

That I miss her not being there.

PLEASE ... be the friend you always were

Who sensed my need and just came.

Reach out to me now, just hold my hand

And let me whisper her name.

Excerpts from a note Marie wrote to me before she went home to be in heaven with her loved ones and our Lord:

Friends - family - everyone shies away from grief - some feel it best but I know better. The loss is real - it's hard to deal with alone. You feel guilty for offending or driving friends away.

People need to understand, friends need to remember your needs, families need to know that tears are part of the healing process and grief is work, and allow you to grieve. You need all the support you can get.

Time alone is good sometimes but beware - it is a standstill process and feeling and emotions including anger, regret, guilt, and question need to be aired with someone who can help just by listening , caring and sharing the load. It's the heaviest load I've ever carried! I sound like I know it all, Genelle, but were it not for God's loving grace through others ... His love and presence when I was alone, I could never have made it through.

Marie gave a talk at one time and said "... It was part of my healing to reach out to others and hopefully help them by allowing them to grieve - society dictates we hide these emotions, but they WILL surface, one way or another sometimes in illness and wouldn't tears and time without condemnation be so much better. I even thank God for my tears and He gets lots of thanks, for I cry over many things, even happiness and pride in our country, flag and President.

Title of the song on the midi: "You'll Never Walk Alone"

This midi along with more wonderful compositions and renditions are available at Ms. Harrell's site on CDs. If you wish to use her music on your personal web site please contact Ms. Harrell.