A Newsletter about the Journey from Loss to Love
May, 2002
Issue #3
Sandy Goodman,Editor
Welcome to the "LOVE NEVER DIES" newsletter. Please e-mail me after perusing this issue with any ideas for the August issue.
IN THIS ISSUE
=> From the Editor-Trusting the Process
=> Poetry- you
=> Resources
=> News and Tidbits
=> Tips and Ideas
=> Ponderings
=> From our Readers- A beautiful poem by Allison Chambers Coxsey
=> Copyright and Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
Trusting the Process,Sandy Goodman
As many of you know, I have been battling with a huge fear of public speaking. When first talking with Debbie Luican, my publishing company's President, I told her clearly that "I don't like to fly and I don't do public speaking." She told me we might have to work on that.
So, I called on Jason. "Listen buddy, you got me into this, you better make sure you're with me now. I am not doing this by myself!" I heard him reply that I would know that he was with me before I stepped on a stage.
A month ago, I began a six city tour to share the message that love never dies. First up was a signing and "talk" in a Berkely bookstore. I had not spoken in front of a group since the booksigning in San Diego and I was still terrified. I sucked it up and did the deed, but I didn't feel good about it until we got to the questions and answers afterward.
The next night was my first BIG event (big for me means more than 10 people). I had to give a presentation at the Golden Gate Spiritualist Church in San Francisco. I was sure I was going to throw up, but didn't, and once again I reminded Jason that I needed his help. I pointed out the "stage" in front of the church as a cue to remember promise. As I made my way to the podium the fear began to dissipate. I was able actually LOOK at some folks while I talked to them, and even made them laugh a few times. It went well. People were moved. They were GETTING IT!
As I turned to step down off of the stage when finished, the man (who is a medium) that had introduced me whispered, "By the way, you are very well guided. Jason was standing right beside you the entire time." Toward the end of the evening, I learned that another medium had seen Jason standing beside me during my "talk."
Fear means F-orgetting that E-verything is A-ll R-ight. (Thank you, Arielle...) Trusting the process means *remembering* that at the onset.
You, Sandy Goodman
i saw you tonight
your eyes
your hair
your cockeyed grin
and your swagger.
your brother became you for one second in time
and i held my breath and watched,
waiting for the exilaration of
seeing you again
but instead
i felt his warmth
his joy
his essence
and i knew without a doubt
that you will never be what i am waiting to see
i must instead start looking for . . .
what you already are . . .
RESOURCES (Books, Links, etc.)
Book Picks:
Suzane Northrop's "Second Chance"
Websites:
For readings and spiritual discussion-Spiritspace
For grief support and spiritual disscussion-After Death Communications
NEWS AND TIDBITS
Chat Events-
May 19, 9pm EST, http://www.JohnEdwardFriends.org
Date: May 28, 9pm EST, http://www.spiritspace.net
Book Tour-
Dallas, June 7th-9th
Chicago, June 23rd-26th
New Orleans, June 27th-30th, Bereaved Parents USA Conference
Salt Lake City, July 5th-7th, The Compassionate Friends Conference
Seattle, July 22nd-25th
Media-
June 1, WLBE Radio with Eve Martin, Orlando
June 7, TV Interview, CBS, "Positively Texas"
June 7, TV Interview, Community Cable TV with James Carter, DFW
July 13, KTKK Radio, SLC
TIPS AND IDEAS
On Jason's Spirit BD last year, I bought 18 balloons and drove (very carefully with 18 balloons in the car) to the cemetary. I stayed for nearly an hour, pulling a memory out of storage for each year of his life, and then releasing one balloon at a time. It was a good thing.
Anyone thought of buying those solar lights that they sell at K-Mart and putting them out at the cemetary or in a memorial garden? Let me know how it works.
Moving along? Feeling pretty good about where you are and how you got there in your grief journey? Find a support group. They need people like you to help those who are taking their first steps. Listening to others is incredibly healing.
PONDERINGS- Sandy
As I sat at the table in the bookstore corner, I listened to story after story of grief, loss, and life after death. Each person that passed by seemed to have a story to share, and there I sat, a safe person to finally TELL.
An elderly lady cried when she told me of her dad sending her a sign, and a father bereaved for five years cried as he told me he didn't think he had "dealt with" the death of his son.
What a sad thing that our society has made it impossible to share our sorrow and our joys regarding death. What a blessing that there are more and more people shouting from the rooftops, giving those who have waited, permission to listen, and those who have gone before us, a voice.
FROM OUR READERS:
A Message From Heaven, Allison Chambers Coxsey
I am not so far from you,
Just a little way beyond;
Past the cares and past the pain,
Far past my earthly bonds.
When you feel you miss me most,
As years go drifting by;
Each memory will prove to you,
That our love will never die.
For memories are but a touch,
>From the Father's gentle hand;
To heal your pain and mend your hearts,
To help you understand...
That while I left you far too soon,
I did not leave alone;
For the Father sent His angels,
To gently take me home.
Take comfort when you think of me,
Keep my love alive in your heart;
And with the warmth of each memory,
We will never be apart.
~~Allison Chambers Coxsey
c1996
Allison's Heart...Poetry to touch the heart and soul
http://www.geocities.com/goddess001_98/index.html
COPYRIGHT INFO
Copyright 2001, All Rights Reserved
Please feel free to pass this newsletter on, in it's entirety, to your friends.
SUBSCRIPTION INFO
Subscriptions to this newsletter are Free. Love Never Dies is a quarterly newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe:
They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies.~William Penn
LoveNeverDies.net is maintained by
Sandy Goodman
PO Box 1158
Riverton, Wyoming 82501
