Matt was our UNEXPECTED MIRACLE, our third born child, our baby. He was born July 15, 1982. We decided to name him Matthew because of it's meaning .... GIFT of GOD.
He was an angel baby from the first day we brought him home. He slept the whole night and was a happy cheerful baby boy! His big brother and sister were already in school which made our time together so special.
Matt was a wonderful Son, Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Cousin and Friend. He brought joy, laughter and care to all who knew him. He was always ready to help anyone, to be there for anyone who needed a friend. He was a hard worker, always paying his own way since he was 12 years old. He caddied, he worked at Giant Eagle, and in a garage changing oil and detailing cars. He loved cars, fishing, camping, hanging out with his friends, and most of all he loved his family. He once said to me , "Mom, all I need is you, Dad, Kerri, Todd, and my 4 nephews."
He went through school with ease always getting the best grades and doing well. In the year 2000 he went off to college - Penn State University - known as Happy Valley, located in the mountains of Pennsylvania. His goal was to attain a business degree in logistics. While in school he became engaged and he was never happier in his life! Looking back, we are so thankful he knew what it was to be totally in love.
In June of 2005, we went away for a Vietnam Reunion in Virginia. Matthew was home alone with only his dog, Buddy. We received a phone call that Sat. afternoon from our son, Todd. He said they couldn't reach Matt that day by phone, so our daughter, Kerri went over to check on him. She found her baby brother in his room....He had been gone for 8 to 9 hours. We had to drive home from Virginia that day....only by the grace of God did we arrive safely at midnight. Our son was taken, our house was full of family and friends waiting for us.
We had to wait for 5 1/2 weeks to get a report back on what happened to our Matthew. They said it was a virus which attacked his heart, called viral myocarditis. We will never stop asking WHY ... but we do know he is in Heaven now ..... We have to learn to live without him for the time we have left on this earth.
Our lives changed on that Saturday June the 18th, 2005. Our family is broken without our Matt, none of us will ever be the same. We miss everything about him. His smile, his beautiful dark eyes, our late night chats, his many phone calls, his laughter, and on and on.
We will love him, honor him, and remember him all the days of our lives...UNTIL WE'RE TOGETHER AGAIN. What a glorious day that will be!
To
~ Matthews
Site ~
This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Matthew Anthony Rodgers who was born in Sarver, Pennsylvania on July 15th 1982 and passed away on June 18th, 2005 at the age of 22, unexpectedly of viral myocarditis. We will remember him forever. We wanted to send this to family and friends and keep his memory alive forever! He was the best Son, Brother, Brother in-law, Uncle, Nephew, Grandson, Cousin and Friend and will be missed more than words could ever express. We are forever changed since Matt left us. Our love for him will always be alive and we look forward to the day we can all be united again. A whole family together... as it was for 22 years.
Until We're Together
... Again ...
Katherine J. Cochran (BMI) Vocal by Tiffany Coburn
Some believe A star shining brightly in the heavens Represents the love of someone they can't see Others feel The butterfly dancing in their garden Is a symbol of a spirit flying free
But when a gentle breeze caresses your hair Or you see an eagle soar in the air Should you smile and remember me in prayer Oh, I will be there
(chorus) There's no need to say good-bye One day we'll be together Remember me and smile I'm in your heart forever I'll feel the love you send Until we're together again
Close your eyes You'll find me sailing in the sunset Riding waves of bluest oceans ever seen Holding hands Of all the others here before me My head upheld to hear the angels sing
I can do all the things I've always dreamed of I'll be watching over you from above Don't worry about me because I brought along all your love
(chorus) There's no need to say good-bye One day we'll be together Remember me and smile I'm in your heart forever I'll feel the love you send Until we're together again
It doesn't matter where you are My love will shine upon you from that star Like the butterfly, now I'm free Ascending through the sky peacefully
(final chorus) There's no need to say good-bye One day we'll be together Remember me and smile I'm in your heart forever I'll feel the love you send All the love you send And you hold on to the love I send Until we're together again
We'll be together again
We will never stop loving our children. A thoughtful, gentle man named William Penn once wrote, "Those who love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill that which does not die." We loved our children yesterday, we love them today, and we will love them tomorrow. There is neither force nor foe that can ever remove the love we have for our children. They live within us and beyond this world, now and forever. This is not the way we wanted our lives or their lives to be because our children belong, not to the ages, but to us. In the end, sadly, they are not ours to keep. They will always be ours to remember, to honor, and to love.
We hurt so much because we love so much. It is our curse to live with the reality of death's details. It is our Blessing to be given a glimpse of the infinite possibilities of perpetual Love. It is not a fair trade. Neither is this a bargain we sought to make. The Children that died too soon have broken our hearts while giving us the great gift of enlightenment. Where do we exchange that unwanted present for one minute with them when no refund line exists. We reach out to strangers, to family or friends to help us remember, to help us hope all is not lost. It helps. It is not a cure. This pitiful plight is not a wound that time heals.
Death cannot kill that which does not die. Our children would no more leave us than we would stop loving them. Those that Love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. No one, no thing, not now, not ever can take away our love for our children. Our Love defies death and taunts time while embracing and displaying its eternal nature. Sometimes Love travels an earthly path filled with tears and cheers inspired by the life of a child measured in moments or years. Our children live forever in the glorious, unending infinite light of our Love, as we in theirs. That is our blessing. That is their gift and maybe they are waiting to see if we like it. Perhaps a cheer joined to the tear is what they need to hear.
I Believe Written by Diamond Rio
Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin I feel you come back again And it's like you haven't been gone a moment from my side Like the tears were never cried Like the hands of time are holding you and me And with all my heart I'm sure we're closer than we ever were I don't have to hear or see, I've got all the proof I need There are more than angels watching over me
I believe.
That when you die your life goes on It doesn't end here when you're gone Every soul is filled with light It never ends and if I'm right Our love can even reach across eternity
I believe.
Forever, you're a part of me Forever, in the heart of me And I'll hold you even longer if I can The people who don't see the most Say that I believe in ghosts And if that makes me crazy, then I am
'cause I believe
There are more than angels watching over me.
I believe
To my dearest ones, some things I’d like to say... But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived ok.
I’m writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above... Here, there’s no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight. Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you, when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, “I welcome you.”
“It’s good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family... They’ll be here later on.”
“I need you here badly, you’re part of my plan. There’s so much that we have to do to help our mortal man.”
God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do. And foremost on that list was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day’s chores put to flight, God and I are closest to you... in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth and all those loving years, Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain. Remember that there would be no flowers unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. If I were to tell you, you wouldn’t understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o’er. I’m closer to you now than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb, But together, we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I’d like it for you too... That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who’s in sorrow and pain, Then you can say to God at night, “My day was not in vain.”
“And now I am contented that my life was worthwhile. Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.”
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low, Just lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go.
When you’re walking down the street and you’ve got me on your mind, I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it’s time for you to go, from that body to be free, Remember, you’re not going... You’re coming here to me.
Author unknown
Butterfly History/Jenn Rodgers (Sister-in-law)
A few months before you passed away Matt, someone at work shared this with me. I thought it was nice and saved it in my email. I really forgot about it until the afternoon of your passing. Todd and I were walking by Mom's garden and we saw this butterfly. Todd said, "Look, there he goes up, up" and I just lost it. I remembered this saying and knew that was a some sort of sign. The next day I was looking through pictures and came across the one of you at the beach. It is just an awesome picture and I knew that was the one I wanted to put with the butterfly saying.
I remember framing it and setting it on the table.
"A butterfly lights beside us like
a sunbeam, and for a brief moment,
his beauty and glory belong to our
world ... and although we wish he
could have stayed ...
We feel so blessed to have seen him" ...
Dad was walking in from outside and read it. I explained that it was more for me because of what Todd and I saw the day before (Todd kept saying, "My brother is not a butterfly"). But Dad said that Mom and him were just sitting on the swing by themselves when a butterfly flew up to them from far away. By then I was starting to really believe that you were definately trying to tell us something. (Kerri saw one the day after that, too). On the day following your funeral, Ryan and Garrett were sitting with Kerri on the swing when a butterfly flew by. Kerri showed the boys and Ryan called out your name. Although the boys could not comprehend the situation we all were going through, Ry-guy somehow knew to say your name. And the rest of the summer is Butterfly history... you were giving us signs left and right. I have never seen so many butterflies as I did this summer. They were all at the right times, too. Before Ryan's birthday party (which, thanks for the beautiful day!) Todd was putting up the tents and a butterfly fluttered inside one of them. Todd said he was there for about 20 mins or so... you would of been there that day early to help set up. And at the golf course when the guys were golfing for Dad's birthday. At the beach with us on vacation, and at the Pirate game when Todd, me and the boys were there. Now that was something, 2nd level at PNC Park. Never thought I'd see a butterfly there.
Now, Spring cannot come fast enough...I miss those butterflies already. Before I just thought butterflies were pretty, but now they mean so much more... I cannot see one without thinking of you!
I know you have been there with each of us every single moment since you left. We are lucky to have you as our Angel to watch over us...especially those boys!!!
We miss you and love you!!
Jenn
Standing freely on my fingertips!
Wow ~~~
Gorgeous ... Monarch
Such a tender moment... unbelievable
The above photos were taken
in our yard. Sept. '07
This butterfly I found . It was stuck on the ground at the hospital parking lot the night we left after visit- ing our newly born grandson, Collin. Todd & Jenn had their 3rd baby boy! Uncle Matt found a way to let us know he was there too!
The butterfly is a symbol of, New Creation Transformation Freedom Grace & Hope! This is why God chose to allow you to show yourself to us through this beautiful butterfly . You are a New Creation Matt. You are Transformed into God's perfection. You are Free to fly now Matt, anywhere you want to be!
You have the Grace of an eagle and are able to soar to new heights. We all have the "Hope" to see you and be with you again when God calls us home. Until then, we will look for the butterflies, and the eagles (we settle for hawks)..... we will be watching all around us everywhere we go for you to be paying us a visit. We love you always and forever!
Dear Father who art in Heaven... Please join our family on this day and bless each one as we sit down to pray as we remember those who have joined you above so dearly missed and deeply loved. Please provide us strength on this day Bless us with memories of those faraway... Please grant patience to family and friends as we grieve and help us reach out to others who are bereaved. We give thanks to you on this day.... For Your presence in our lives each and everyday. For Your comfort, guidance, and never ending love... And for taking care of our loved ones...in Heaven above.
As we light this candle on this day... And it glows in memory of those in Heaven today.... May their lights always shine down on us and give us light... And may we feel their presence along with yours tonight. May the peace and tranquility of this day Be an everlasting light within each of us along the way... Lets bow our heads and give our Thanks to God above. For our blessings, whether on earth or in Heaven above...
AMEN
This is one of my favorite
pictures of Matt. His big
beautiful dark brown eyes ...
This memorial frame was given to me by Nancy Davis. She has helped me so much in the making of Matt's site. As she always says, "WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER"...
Thank you Nancy...Mom of Dusty
Todd, Pap Rodgers & Matthew
Matt's Pap Rodgers was known as "Mr. Smiley"...He was the most loving, happy, caring & giving man I have ever known.
He was a man who wore many hats. One of those hats was of a School Bus Driver. The kids all adored him & were more than happy to get on his bus each day! After work he would go home & tell so many stories of all of his little friends!
Pap had the children smiling too!
He loved his goodies & most of all anything chocolate. His favorites were Hershey Kisses! He would roll the foil papers into a huge ball after eating so many!
When we took Pap & Gram on vacation to the ocean he loved sipping on a strawberry daiquiri... or two, while relaxing in the beach house!
Matthew, Todd, & Kerri loved their Pap with all of their hearts. They looked up to him and respected him, and more than anything... they knew they were loved by him.
Tim loved his Dad so very much. He was everything to him. I miss Pap dearly & I am honored to be a part of his loving family.
It comforts us to know Matt is with Pap... Matt loved his Pap on Earth and now for all of eternity.
He would want us to keep on smiling as he always did.
Tim had a dream of his Dad & Matt golfing on top of a hill. Tim was standing at the bottom looking up at them & of course Pap had his big huge smile as he & Matt waved down to him!
Pap Passed away on 1-19-'06
7 months and 1 day after our Matt.
We will love and honor your memory, Pap forever.
We know you are taking good care of our Matt...
This is my precious Gram Gallo, Matt's Great Gram. She passed away July 17, 2008 ~ at the age of 103.
We brought her this doll
for her birthday ~ it sang and danced ~ she laughed
and laughed and danced along with it! The doll
sang ... "Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows everywhere,
It's wonderful is what I feel when we're together"...
Gram asked us to keep playing the song over and
over. Little did we know she would be leaving us two
months later. We placed this doll with her to hold
as she journeyed on to God, and to all of her loved
ones who had gone before her. I am sure they
were all waiting for her anxiously! I can just hear
hear my Grandpap saying, "Here comes a my sweetheart!"
I know she is now taking care of my Matthew, (we nevertold her he passed away)... What a reunion and what a surprise for Gram to see Matt there...
Gram, You are deeply missed and deeply loved. Thank you for being a wonderful Grandma to all of us ~
for so so many years ~ For teaching us to love our
Italian heritage and traditions ~ (FOOD & lots of it!) ~
"MUNJA ~ MUNJA" she would say to us! Thank you for showing us your love to God, Jesus, and all
of your life thanking Him for loving you ~
For all of the love, devotion, and hard work you put into our family ~ life will not be the same, but we have wonderful happy memories to hold on to. Hold
my Matt for me until the day comes that I can once
again hold him. Tell him we all love him so...
Love to you forever, Gram ~ Until we meet again ...
Linda and Diane
and all of your family~
Matt's big brother, Todd was and always will be his best friend. It breaks our hearts that they were separated from one another so early in their lives. Being five years apart, they were only beginning to really bond as men.
In this photo Matt was 22. He would have been 23 less than a month later. Todd was 28.
Dad's Dream
Matt, I had a fantastic dream the other night... Mom and I were talking about dreaming about you, and that night I did! I dreamed I was walking out on a wooden dock, and as I approached the end I saw you sitting there looping a hook into your line. You were with someone else, I don't know who it was,but you were both in snow white t.shirts. As I approached you, I wanted to put my arm around you and just hug you, but I was thinking, this can't be, because I knew you were in heaven now. I put my arm around your shoulders and hugged you, as I did this, you looked right into my face and said "Everythings cool Dad." Then I woke up. This little connection with you lifted a very heavy load from my shoulders. I miss you terribly and will always miss you and love you forever, but I know now that you are enfolded in God's arms and are healthy and smiling that unforgettable smile of yours. Love you and miss you. Sleep tight with the angels my son.
Love you, always & forever, Dad xox
Matt and his Dad, best buds. Matt was a chip off his Dad's block. They had so many of the same expressions and talked so much alike. Matt loved his Dad beyond description. His Dad loved him the same. To see the pain in my families faces... is heart wrenching. We are all so much less without our Matt...
SOMETHING WILL REMIND ME I NEVER KNOW JUST WHEN, IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING SOMEONE SAYS AND IT ALL COMES BACK AGAIN. THE TIMES WE SPENT TOGETHER THE HAPPINESS, THE FUN. ONCE AGAIN, I FEEL THE PAIN OF LIFE WITHOUT MY SON. IT'S SAID THAT TIMES A HEALER I'M NOT SURE THIS IS TRUE, THERE'S NOT A DAY GOES BY MATT, THAT I DON'T CRY FOR YOU. IF I COULD HAVE ONE LIFETIME WISH, A DREAM THAT WOULD COME TRUE I'D PRAY TO GOD WITH ALL MY HEART FOR YESTERDAY AND YOU. A THOUSAND WORDS WON'T BRING YOU BACK, I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE TRIED NEITHER WILL A THOUSAND TEARS, I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE CRIED. YOU LEFT BEHIND MY BROKEN HEART, AND HAPPY MEMORIES TOO, BUT I NEVER WANTED MEMORIES I ONLY WANTED YOU...
Matt's Dad, has wanted to have this "Tiger Butterfly" tattooed on his arm...as it turns out I looked up the name of the yellow and black butterfly that has been near to us since Matt passed and it just "Happened" to be called...
A poem Kerri found in the paper for your first angel date. June 18, 2006.
Matthew & his big sister, Kerri. She was so happy when he was born. She was seven years older than Matt and became his second mom. She misses him every minute of every day and her heart just aches for her little brother.
"If you need me call
and I will come"~~~
Our kids ... all three together. Our family was complete. Our home blessed. Each one of us separate ... yet linked together. ... Forever ...
These photos were taken at home ...in our garden... It is July of 2007
His name is "Aphrodite Fritillary." His name is bigger than he is!
So perfectly created...
This beauty is named "Great Spangled Fritillary"
Dancing in the flowers!
Free ... to fly anywhere
Enjoying the sunshine!
This one is a female "Tiger Swallowtail." August of '07... on our patio ...
Just showing off his wing span!
This one is "The Butterfly" which is named "Tiger Swallowtail", that has been with us from the day we found out our son was gone. Seems everywhere we go it is there...
a sign to us that our Matthew ... is still near...
Sept. '07
This photo was taken this summer -
(August'08) also in our yard.
Another visit from Matt, along with
a friend this time!
This cross, candle, and balloons were made for Matt's first angel date by a special friend of mine, Sue Smith. She has devoted many hours of love in helping me to make his site. For this... I will be forever grateful. Love to you... "My Dear Aussie Friend!" In loving memory of Matthew Anthony Rodgers
Sue from Australia, me from the USA. Somehow we were brought together... by our Matthews on these memorial sites. The deaths of our sons has brought us as close as "Thelma & Louise." From tragedy... To a bond of love.
When somebody dies, a cloud turns into an Angel and flies up to tell God to put another flower on a pillow. A bird gives the message back to the world and sings a silent prayer that makes the rain cry. People disappear, but they never really go away. The spirits up there put the sun to bed, wake up the grass, and spin the Earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you can see them dancing in a cloud during the day time when they're suppose to be sleeping. They paint the rainbows and also the sunsets and make waves splash and tug at the tide. They toss shooting stars and listen to windsongs, they whisper to us, "Don't miss me too much. The view is nice,
and I'm doing just fine."
Alex, Garrett, Brayden, Ryan
Matt's 5th born nephew...18 mths.
Taylor Matthew King
Our latest addition~ 4 months old
Collin Timothy Rodgers Born: 10-10-"07
Matts 7th born nephew ... Born June 17th, 2008
This photo was taken while I was babysitting
my three grandsons while their mommy was in labor
with baby Danny. Kerri was having such a difficult
labor and I was so upset and worried. Many hours
passed by and the tension grew inside of me. I
happened to look up into the sky ~ and this is
what I saw ~ A Heavenly Butterfly ~
My Matt, once again was near, giving me his sign
that all was going to be ok...
"Thank you Uncle Matt, for being there with me and
my family, as you always are when we need you!"
"Thank you honey, love you and miss you" ...
Mom
Uncle Matt's 6 favorite nephews...'07 An updated photo of Tim & I and all of Matt's boys. They always made him smile ... now they are the reason we smile!
Left to right...
Taylor Matthew Ryan Matthew Alexander David Brayden Shawn Garrett Andrew Collin Timothy!
Uncle Matt's "7" favorite nephews! '08
3rd from left ~Daniel Keith
Thanksgiving at Gram and Pap's house.
Our "Seven Wonders"
of the world!
Christmas Day at Matt's Sister's home- 2009- How things have
changed in the four and a half years our Matt has been gone ~
From four to seven nephews ... Watching over them all ...
"Til Kingdom Come" by Coldplay
"Steal my heart and hold my tongue I feel my time, my time has come Let me in, unlock the door I've never felt this way before And the wheels just keep on turning The drummers begin to drum I don't know which way I'm going I don't know which way I've come
Hold my hand inside your hands I need someone who understands I need someone, someone who hears For you, I've waited all these years
For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come Until my day, my day is done And say you'll come and set me free Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
In your tears and in your blood In your fire and in your flood I hear you laugh, I heard you sing I wouldn't change a single thing And the wheels just keep on turning The drummers begin to drum I don't know which way I'm going I don't know what I'll become
For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come Until my days, my days are done And say you'll come and set me free Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Wait for us Roogy... We'll be there with you and Mom in time...
Til' Kingdom Come This is the song that came on right after Matt's funeral on the way up to the cemetary. The tone of the song and the lyrics just hit me hard. I will always think of Matt everytime I hear this song for the rest of my life. Tommy Medovitch... best buds
This past weekend I went camping with some friends at The New River Gorge,W.V. It's so beautiful down there. It was our second time going. Everytime I go camping, I always think of the great times me Matt & Josh had camping down at Paradise when we were kids. Those are the greatest memories that I will never lose.
Love ya, Diane & take care!
Tom
Tom, Matt & Josh (1989)
The pillow that this little teddy bear is hugging is the same as all the pillows that were made for us with Matt's tee- shirts that he always wore. All of us sleep with them and hug them by our sides every night. The boys can't sleep without them.
We call them our "Uncle Matt" pillows!
They were made with love from our daughter- in-law, Jenn's Mom, Arlene Fortino. She will never know the comfort we all have every night because of these gifts she created for us all! Thank you, Jenn for the idea of making these, and thank you Arlene for your time & love in making them!
`
Waiting for all of us who love & miss him so very much.
I will always cry for you Matt. Missing you is more than I can handle most days. It just isn't right to have to live this way. We will love and miss you all the days of our lives, until we meet again. xox
I Hear Each Tear
My Mom does not know I am watching her but I'm watching her just the same. and I hear each tear fall on her face, at the mention of my name.
She says it sounds like music to her ears, and can be heard over a crowd. Oh, I hear each tear fall on her face, when my name is said aloud.
I watch her stumble through each day, as she wishes the day would end. And I hear each tear fall on her face, as she talks of me with her friends.
But there are few who truly understand. Oh this I've heard her proclaim. And I hear each tear fall on her face. Will my Mom ever be the same?
I know that her smile can light up a sky, but I don't see that smile today. But I hear each tear fall on her face, her blue skies have turned to gray.
I send to her my warmest hug with the rays of the morning sun. Then I won't hear a tear fall on her face, for I shall erase them one-by-one.
My mom does not know I am watching her, but I'm watching her just the same. And if I hear a tear fall on her face, I'll just softly whisper her name.
~ by Kaye Des'Ormeaux ~
Angel in Waiting Amidst the stars lies a place where angels exist.
A place where God decides to pick those chosen few and allows them to take care of us.
Walking within both worlds to lend a helping hand.
This is where Matthew is resting now: Watching Holding Loving Giving
All of his beautiful soul to the ones he loved.
A piece of himself to each and every one of us Glowing brightly to guide our way through this world.
When we need guidance that torch will light in our hearts and lead us in the right direction.
God puts his hand on a special few to take on this responsibility.
Matthew, lead me, guide me, And be My Angel in Waiting.
This poem was written by Stephen Ruefle, Matt's cousin, while he was on vacation with his family at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He sat down the evening he heard of his cousin's death and composed his love for Matt.
Thank you Steve. We love you...
Aunt Dee Dee, Uncle Tim, Kerri and Todd, and all of our family.
This is my sister Linda & all of her family. They all loved Matt so much & will remember him forever & always. Each and every one of them has been of such great comfort to our family. We love you all!!!
Believe when you are the most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. As long as you can sweeten anothers pain... life is not in vain.
Helen Keller
WE'RE ALIKE, YOU AND I
We're alike, you and I. We've never met Our faces would be those of strangers if we met We would barely perceive the other's presence If we passed on our walk through the mists We're unknown to each other Until the terrible words have been spoken "MY CHILD DIED" We're alike, you and I We measure time in seconds and eternities We try to go forward to yesterday Tomorrows are for the whole people, And we are incomplete now The tears after a time turn inward To become invisible to all save you and me Our souls are rumpled from wrestling with demons. And doubts and unanswerable prayers. "GIVE ME BACK MY CHILD" We're alike, you and I. The tears that run down your face are my tears And the wound in your soul is my pain too. We need time, but time is our enemy For it carries us farther and farther From our lost child And we cry out; "HELP ME" We're alike, you and I. And we need each other Don't turn away, but give me your hand And for a time we can cease to be strangers And become what we truly are, A family closer than blood. United by a bond that was forced upon us--- But a bond that can make us stronger, Still wounded and not to sure, But stronger for our sorrows are shared.
Matthew Anthony Rodgers 
and I'm doing just fine."
