*True Confessions*
- Thread starter Jewelz
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tonitits
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dansretreat said:Just wanted to thank everyone here for the incredibly kind words and prayers. To say that this has been a rough month would be the understatement of a lifetime.
This morning we had a prayer service in the hospital room. It was truly amazing. SC's brother, Billy, is part Native American and the hospital he is in is a catholic hospital. The ministry there has been absolutely phenomenal in helping us sort through this all. After talking with the Priest in charge of the hospital ministry and asking him about doing a "prayer for the sick" service for Billy, he told me that he would try and find a priest that he knew who was also Native American so we could incorporate that into the ceremony. Having grown up Roman Catholic and gone through 16 years of Catholic education, I wasn't holding my breath.
But for once, the Catholic church far exceeded my expectations. The service this morning was incredibly beautiful, spiritual and inspiring. It was a beautiful blend of Native American beliefs with Christian and Celtic beliefs and traditions, which Billy is also Scottish and had a strong fascination for all things Celtic.
The Native American minister performed a ceremony that is used by the Plains Indians. First he blesses the circle and the members present with Sage which we each rubbed between our hands and which he sanctified Billy with. Then he creates a sacred space by calling on the spirits of the 4 corners of the earth. The wolf, from the south, which represents fire and passion, the bear from the east, which represents protection, the buffalo from the north which represents life and balance, and Father earth from the north which represents the sustaining of all life, creating a perfectly balanced life circle. He also asks for the Great Grandfather to join the circle. (The Great Grandfather is the creator in Indian culture). He did all this while singing, in native tongue, the prayers of the Plains Indians. He goes on to talk about the balance of the spirit and body and how Billy's earthly life may have been out of balance. There may have been too much of the wolf in his spirit here on earth which causes unbalance. He asked the Great Grandfather to help Billy achieve balance on his next journey and asked the wolf to back off and help only when needed. He said since Billy could not be brought outside to touch the earth, he brought part of the earth inside to him. He placed in (a bowl of earth and rocks) underneath Billy's hand and asked that the demons that have disturbed his balance during his life be returned to the earth, because the earth has the power to absorb them and would know what to do with them. (After the ceremony, he and the priest took the bowl of earth and rocks outside and buried it to return it and the demons to the earth)
The priest then sang a Celtic hymm and recited part of a Celtic prayer which was very appropriate because SC had already spoken during the ceremony about how Billy would pray with her and put on his spiritual armor to protect himself and become God's warrior. The prayer he had already picked talked about the breastplate being part of the armor of the soul. The first minister then handed small packages of herbs wrapped in cloth to both SC and her mom to help them with the hardships they have also endured during this. He then placed satchels in Billy's hands to ease his burdens in passing. Then he closed the circle in song again, releasing the spirits of the earth from the room.
It's been two weeks today since Billy's accident and for the most part he has been completely unresponsive during this time, especially the last 4 or 5 days. But when the minister started singing and invoking the spirits, Billy's monitors started going a little wacky and I watched one of them (his blood/oxygen saturation level) completely shut off and display a "?" instead of a number like it normally does, until he was done singing. Causing the nurses to actually come into the room and check on him from the station. So, we all knew that Billy was there and participating in this ceremony and we all felt a sense of great calm and peace after it was over.
I was truly amazed at the time and effort this hospital's ministry put into this ceremony and how they were able to combine both Billy's Native American and Christian beliefs into one ceremony. Most of the Catholic Priests I have known would have looked down on this type of thing as pagan but here it was respected for what it is and embraced. I was truly touched by not just the ceremony but by the people who performed it. It may even get me to believe in organized religion again, now THAT would be a true miracle.
Billy's body doesn't have much time left on this earth, and I'm really glad that we were able to do this for him to help on the next leg of his journey. I know that it helped me.
I only got to spend a little under a year with Billy here in FL. I wish I had more time. I wish he would have known that I planned on having him as my best man at our wedding. I wish I could have told him before this happened. I spent hours and hours with him, alone, talking about the voices inside his head and trying to give him insight into them, trying to give him weapons to use against them, and he told me several times that it helped alot, but I guess it wasn't enough. I'm going to miss the fun, lighthearted Billy that I got to see when his disease wasn't controlling him. But I have a ton of really good memories of him that will stay with me all of my life, taking him to the club, south beach and watching him take photos of all the girls in bikinis, (which we still have on our computer), hanging out in Ft. Lauderdale, going to see Van Helsing (just him and I), running around like idiots on the 4th of July spending $400 on fireworks and laughing our asses off on the ride home as we had a truck filled with explosives and a propane gas tank banging around in the back and the two of us deciding it was safe to smoke in the truck. Mike's hard lemonades in the pool, picnics on Singer Island, watching Family Guy and laughing at all the jokes that SC thought were so stupid. Just alot of stuff that I wish he was still here to do with me. I'll never ever be able to watch fireworks again in my life without thinking of him.
So, thanks for all your thoughts, the days ahead are going to be rough but I feel like maybe some of the worst is behind us.
That sounds like a beautiful service. I am glad that they were able to pull it off and that the hospital allowed ya'll to have it in his room. I know you will miss him, but he will always be with you and SC. He will live with ya'll in your memory and your hearts. He sounds like he was a wonderful person to hang out with. Continuing to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope that this makes a little easier for SC and her mom to let go. I know how hard that is sometimes. ((((((((((Danny and SC))))))))))))
omahaman2
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Thank you for letting us know about the wonderful service,danny.
Glad they could bring some comfort to sorta,mom,billy and yourself.Billy,sounded like a great guy, I know he has a wonderful sis.Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Glad they could bring some comfort to sorta,mom,billy and yourself.Billy,sounded like a great guy, I know he has a wonderful sis.Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
nrcma98
Here, there, and
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LMAO
A photographer for a well-known national magazine was assigned to cover southern California's wildfires. The magazine wanted pictures of the heroic work the firefighters were doing as they battled the blazes.
When the photographer arrived on the scene he realized that the smoke was so thick it would seriously impede, or even make impossible, his getting good photographs from ground-level. He requested permission from his boss to rent a plane and take photos from the air.
His request was approved and he used his cell-phone to call the local county airport to charter a flight.
He was told a single-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.
Arriving at the airfield and spotted his plane warming up outside a hangar. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, "Let's go!"
The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and roared down the runway. Once in the air, the photographer requested the pilot to, "Fly over the valley and make two or three low passes so I can take some pictures of the fires on the hillsides."
"Why?" asked the pilot.
"Because I'm a photographer for a national magazine," he responded, "and I need to get some close-up shots."
The pilot was strangely silent for a moment; finally he stammered, "So, you're telling me you're not the flight instructor?"
A photographer for a well-known national magazine was assigned to cover southern California's wildfires. The magazine wanted pictures of the heroic work the firefighters were doing as they battled the blazes.
When the photographer arrived on the scene he realized that the smoke was so thick it would seriously impede, or even make impossible, his getting good photographs from ground-level. He requested permission from his boss to rent a plane and take photos from the air.
His request was approved and he used his cell-phone to call the local county airport to charter a flight.
He was told a single-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.
Arriving at the airfield and spotted his plane warming up outside a hangar. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, "Let's go!"
The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and roared down the runway. Once in the air, the photographer requested the pilot to, "Fly over the valley and make two or three low passes so I can take some pictures of the fires on the hillsides."
"Why?" asked the pilot.
"Because I'm a photographer for a national magazine," he responded, "and I need to get some close-up shots."
The pilot was strangely silent for a moment; finally he stammered, "So, you're telling me you're not the flight instructor?"
omahaman2
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Good morning,everyone!!!
If no one shows up soon,Im going to get a
http://www.dwatch.ca/camp/warrant.GIF
If no one shows up soon,Im going to get a
http://www.dwatch.ca/camp/warrant.GIF
I DID IT!! It may have taken me awhile but I am an official registered voter!!!! I felt so empowered handing over my registration this morning. My mom registered this year for the first time in her life too. I am pretty damn proud of her and I! Our voice can not be silenced! Im not a political person but issues are important to me and this is a giant first step in reclaiming my voice! Yay me!
tonitits
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'Jewelz said:
Congratulations Jewelz, I think it is very important for us to vote. We might not agree with the candidates but if everyone sits back and does nothing then we have no right to complain when things go bad. Women especially need to have their voices heard. It was not too long ago that we were not ALLOWED to vote. Maybe someday when we all decide to voice our opinion we can get someone that we actually believe in, not just pick the lesser of the two evils. Like you I am not very political, but I do believe in the issues and I think that we need to have them addressed and send a message that that is what we want/need. I know the candidates always make alot of promises, alot of them empty promises. But sometimes it is not all their fault. Even the president can't just say this is what I want and I am going to make it happen. So we need to pick the one candidate that closest meets our desires and needs. Yay Jewelz!!!!!!!!!
nrcma98
Here, there, and
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The daily humor
A little girl walks into her parents' bathroom and notices for the first time her father's nakedness. Immediately, she is curious: He has equipment that she doesn't have.
"What are those round things hanging there, daddy?"
Proudly, he replies, "Those, sweetheart, are God's Apples of Life. Without them we wouldn't be here."
Puzzled, she seeks her mother out and tells her what daddy has said.
To which mommy replies, "Did he say anything about the dead branch they're hanging from?"
A little girl walks into her parents' bathroom and notices for the first time her father's nakedness. Immediately, she is curious: He has equipment that she doesn't have.
"What are those round things hanging there, daddy?"
Proudly, he replies, "Those, sweetheart, are God's Apples of Life. Without them we wouldn't be here."
Puzzled, she seeks her mother out and tells her what daddy has said.
To which mommy replies, "Did he say anything about the dead branch they're hanging from?"
omahaman2
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http://www.mayamaxx.com/gallery/img/97/97004.jpg
WOMEN VOTING!!!!!!!!!!
just kidding.
In fact I heard the other day,if women were all registered,they could decide who wins all elections!!!
WOMEN VOTING!!!!!!!!!!
just kidding.
In fact I heard the other day,if women were all registered,they could decide who wins all elections!!!
nrcma98
Here, there, and
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In that case....tonitits said:
A man walks into a drug store with his 8-year old son.
They happen to walk by the condom display,
and the boy asks, "What are these,Dad?"
To which the man matter-of-factly replies,
"Those are called condoms, son.... Men use them to have safe sex."
"Oh, I see," replied the boy pensively.
"Yes, I've heard of that in health class at school."
He looks over the display and picks up a package of 3 and asks,
"Why are there 3 in this package?"
The dad replies, "Those are for high school boys. One for Friday,
one for Saturday, and one for Sunday."
"Cool!" says the boy.He notices a 6 pack and asks, Then who are these for?"
"Those are for college men." the dad answers.
"Two for Friday, two for Saturday, and two for Sunday."
"WOW!" exclaimed the boy, "then who uses THESE?" he asks,
picking up a 12 pack.
With a sigh, the dad replied "Those are for married men.
One for January, one for February, one for March........"
dansretreat
Really Experienced
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- Aug 4, 2002
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- 153
Just wanted to let everyone here know that Billy passed away around 5:30pm Eastern Time this afternoon. His mom was with him and SC and I were in the building on our way to his room when it happened. Everyone seems to think that he didn't want his sister to see it happen, to spare her that grief, and he went before she could get to the room. And she agrees with that too and is ok with it.
At his last moment, he opened his eyes wide, which he has not done since this all started, to the point where the nurses and his mom were going..Billy? Billy?...and then after a few moments, he slowly closed his eyes and everything stopped. It was very peaceful and painless.
Thank you all for your incredible support throughout this ordeal. I have a personal favor to ask everyone here. Billy is in an incredibly peaceful and beautiful place right now and is fine, but SC is left to deal with the grief. All of my energy and love right now is focused on making sure she is ok and gets through this next week as easily as possible. I ask you all to keep her in your thoughts and prayers for me. I know that with your help, God will give me the strength to take care of her and her mom. I love her so incredibly much and my heart is breaking for her right now.
Thank you all.
At his last moment, he opened his eyes wide, which he has not done since this all started, to the point where the nurses and his mom were going..Billy? Billy?...and then after a few moments, he slowly closed his eyes and everything stopped. It was very peaceful and painless.
Thank you all for your incredible support throughout this ordeal. I have a personal favor to ask everyone here. Billy is in an incredibly peaceful and beautiful place right now and is fine, but SC is left to deal with the grief. All of my energy and love right now is focused on making sure she is ok and gets through this next week as easily as possible. I ask you all to keep her in your thoughts and prayers for me. I know that with your help, God will give me the strength to take care of her and her mom. I love her so incredibly much and my heart is breaking for her right now.
Thank you all.
omahaman2
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Sorta
just want you to know how very sorry I am
and how much I care
Remember that your
loss is shared
by many friends who care
and that you're in our
thoughts and hearts
and in our every prayer
May you find the courage
to face tomorrow
in the love that surrounds
you today.
May the love of friends and family
be a source of comfort to you
at this time
At this time of sorrow
may these truths sustain you..
...your loved one will always be
as close as a memory
and the God of all comfort
is always as close as a prayer.
It will be the little things
that you will remember
the quiet moments, the smiles,
the laughter.
And although it may
seem hard right now,
it will be the memory
of these little things
that help to push away the pain
and bring the smiles back again
just want you to know how very sorry I am
and how much I care
Remember that your
loss is shared
by many friends who care
and that you're in our
thoughts and hearts
and in our every prayer
May you find the courage
to face tomorrow
in the love that surrounds
you today.
May the love of friends and family
be a source of comfort to you
at this time
At this time of sorrow
may these truths sustain you..
...your loved one will always be
as close as a memory
and the God of all comfort
is always as close as a prayer.
It will be the little things
that you will remember
the quiet moments, the smiles,
the laughter.
And although it may
seem hard right now,
it will be the memory
of these little things
that help to push away the pain
and bring the smiles back again
tonitits
MS. T
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2002
- Posts
- 25,852
dansretreat said:
So sorry for your loss. Just wanted to let you know that I am keeping you and the whole family in my thoughts and prayers and asking God to comfort you and give you the strength that you need during this time. (((((((((((Sorta and Danny)))))))))))
JennyOmanHill
trying hard to be mindful
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2001
- Posts
- 11,151
For SC
http://www.webtree.ca/tree/gifs/sympathy/sympathy2.gif
So glad that Danny is there for you as well.
http://www.webtree.ca/tree/gifs/sympathy/sympathy2.gif
So glad that Danny is there for you as well.
SuperShyGuy
Shy does not mean weak
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2003
- Posts
- 3,963
SC and Dan, definite good thoughts your way, and for your brother's spirit.
InLust
Dreamer in residence
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2003
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- 3,105
Give me strength
Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large, raging river. Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed, "God, please give me the strength to cross the river."
Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.
After witnessing that, the second man prayed, "God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.
Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed, "God, please give me the strength, the tools, and the intelligence to cross this river." Poof! He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.
Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large, raging river. Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed, "God, please give me the strength to cross the river."
Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.
After witnessing that, the second man prayed, "God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.
Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed, "God, please give me the strength, the tools, and the intelligence to cross this river." Poof! He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.
L & D..... I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray for comfort and peace to be yours during this time. May the beautiful memories soothe your soul and bring you some strength for the days that lie ahead. I am so comforted knowing that you have each other right now.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I pray for comfort and peace to be yours during this time. May the beautiful memories soothe your soul and bring you some strength for the days that lie ahead. I am so comforted knowing that you have each other right now.- Status
