Robbie's Service
December 28,2002




The Praying Hands!



The Altar at Church



Close Up of the Altar


The Eulogy for Robbie Read by Captain Wiliford

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on his Urn from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range.")
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash?
by Linda Ellis


I read this at Robbie's service.

It was written by me hours after I found my Son.

Robbie,

How do I reply to my family and your friends.
My Son,My heart has been broken and filled with Grief.
I try to be happy but tears flow instead.
You Took your life,Why? I can only ask.
I ask myself over and over what
could have I have done to change your mind.
Unfortunately I will never find that out!
I guess in your mind I wasn't listening
or just maybe I didn't hear.
WHY! WHY! is all that comes to mind.
I grasp and reach for answers but none make sense.
What were you thinking?
If I only knew I would have
rather died instead of you.
My grief is so heavy and runs so deep
that I just can't find the reason to justify this.
While you were here I Loved you as my Son,
A Love so deep you never knew.
I wish you would have said late friday nite,
Dad I have a problem.
I was always there for you but I must
have failed you in the time you needed me most!
I can only hope that you are in a better place now.
No One knew not even me
what you were about to do,
If only you confided in someone
,anyone, one of us would have listened.
Sure we had our good times and bad times.
But through all we went through,
My Love for you never changed.
So my Son even though you will never see or read this,
I Love You with all my heart and whatever reason you had,
I wish I could say I Understand.
I don't and I never will know why!
In My heart you did what you thought was best.
My mind doesn't accept that But I have to.
I will remember you in my heart and soul Forever!
May God Bless your Soul and grant you the peace
and happiness you were seeking here on Earth
Goodbye My Son!

Dad

For my Nephew…
Robbie, I can ask questions for the rest of my life and never make sense of what
was to come…I have, as has the rest of your family and friends can, only wonder
why?Do you realize how much you were loved, how many hearts you broke when you
left us…how many tears have been shed…how many lives that will never be the same…
I for one Robbie, was never blessed with children, but my nephews and nieces were
an extension of me, my flesh, my blood, my love, my future….You are a very special
person Robbie, and will forever be in our hearts, and I know from experience, that
your rough exterior, was just a façade for the most caring and loving man that you
were…It has been almost two weeks since you left us, I have been so mad at you
that I didn’t think I could even write this, only because I thought we would all
grow old together and share the trials and tribulations of life, certainly we all
have crosses to bear, we all lose family and friends and things that are dear to
us, but we must all forge ahead and go on with life, there is not a person alive
who’s heart has not been broken at least once in their lives, unfortunately, that
is one aspect of life that no one can ever change, and now, our hearts have been
broken again, only this time the heartache is almost too much of a burden to bear,
within each and everyone of us, there is a large hole in our hearts that was once
you, that hole can never be filled, for it belonged to you Robbie..
As we gather here today Robbie, your family and friends, we come here not to mourn
, but to celebrate you and your life and what you meant to us…we will always
remember that radiant smile, the gold chains around your neck, the love you had
for your children, (whom we all know that you adored), and to remember the
persona of you, you attracted people, you had an eclectic style about you, once
you made a friend, they were yours forever, so, take a look down from heaven as
we gather here today to celebrate you, and you will see what your life meant to
each and everyone of us and how much you were loved..The lord has called you home
now and you are forever at peace, although our hearts are broken they are filled
with love and the comfort of knowing that you are free from the pain and suffering
here on earth, may the good Lord grant you eternal rest and fulfillment, for you
are truly one of Gods children now..
I love You Robbie….may God bless your soul….my prayers will forever be with you,
until the day that I draw my last breath, you will never be forgotten and loved…
one day we will be together again in the kingdom of God and we can all bask in
His glory forever….you have earned your wings…
Rest in Peace Little Rob….Uncle John….




Robbie Free at Last.



Flowers from Mom and Dad!



Farewell to Robbie
At Peace
Robbie's Photo Album
Robbie's Scrapbook
Remembering Robbie
Robbie's Balloons come Home
Coping with Suicide
Final Words For Robbie
A Sister's Love For Robbie
In Memory Of Loved Ones Lost
Awards for Robbie
Robbie
Index to My Poems
Help and Support
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