A Ripple on the Water
.....for Mike
My friend Ramona mentioned to me that a man had shot himself near her office and she had not realized it…in front of a bar, by her car. I said that was sad, really sad. While she had not heard the firing of the gun, I had not even heard about the incident, although I was working myself, three blocks away.
Several nights later, someone dear to my heart telephoned me. She was upset. The man who had helped this young woman find a good alcohol rehabilitation program at Kaiser was dead. He had led her by the hand to a financial office to get her deductible waived for a day treatment program as she struggled to rebuild her life. He had encouraged her daily at Alcoholic Anonymous meetings and on the telephone. He had validated her as an employee by leaving her a twenty-dollar tip for her services at the restaurant where she worked. He had been an encouragement to others in rehabilitation programs. He loved someone who left him for her addiction. He grieved. He had been clean and sober for five years, and he relapsed. He left people who loved him for his addiction too, and now they are grieving. His name was Mike. He had taken his own life. He was the man who had shot himself in front of a bar by Ramona’s car. No man is an island.
Wounded Healer
There is
Something to be said
Concerning
Ripples on the water
And life.
You gave hope
To others
And left
Nothing for yourself!
You
Have
Eroded my shoreline
With your choice.
Didn’t you know?
You
Were God’s hand.
Pax Vobiscum
(Peace be with you)
Jennifer Grant
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