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Martie
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since 1999-09-21
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California

0 posted 2002-02-20 02:05 PM


I still talk to people frequently who do not know about Reye's Syndrome.I am posting this poem and link to information about the disease for that reason. http://www.cpmu.org/reye.html

Someone’s Child
(in memory of Michelle)


I read there was a miracle child
undead
I saw her smile from the newsprint
her dark hair curled

I could not read
the screams that had rained on her spring
with no sound
her heart slowing to almost stop
again and again
and sleep far deeper than night

Those who loved her must have wished
her free of life
in their secret souls
lost hope to weight
that crushed inside
till death was in their eyes

But
she lived
through the scream
the unimagined soundless terror
and found her way
in darkness
with no breath
fought her way through chance
and lived.

My own gamine girl
took to death so quickly
that same year
that same spring
holding the same soundless scream
inside her.

Oh I would be the mother
of a miracle child
and not me



© Copyright 2002 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Mistletoe Angel
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Portland, Oregon
1 posted 2002-02-20 02:12 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Martie, this poem about broke my heart reading it, my heart goes out to you and I'm so sorry you had to cope with this loss of Michelle! I read up on that Reyes Syndrome info and that is so terrible, my heart goes out to you and you are always in my thoughts and I am always here for you if you need someone to talk to! God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so much! (BIG HUGGGSSSSS) You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Martie, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Sunshine
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Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2002-02-20 02:17 PM



I remember so very well the year and month that Reye's Syndrome was first named. I worked as a telephone operator and unfortunately had the doctor's switchboard the night they released the information on the news.  We clocked 90 calls in one hour.  The year was 1973.  I had a small child under the age of one year.  I could not call home [certain rules apply at answering services] to see if she was OK as she had suffered from the sniffles earlier that day.  I was a nervous wreck by the time I finally got home...

I remember this very, very well...

Hugs to you, my friend...

vandana
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USA
3 posted 2002-02-20 02:19 PM


so sad
Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
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Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2002-02-20 02:26 PM


Martie,
You blow butterflies like soap bubbles. Poetic lovelyness.

Wanda
Member
since 2001-10-23
Posts 461

5 posted 2002-02-20 02:47 PM


Martie; My heart goes out to you.  I would also like to commend you for writing so elequently on the subject of Reye's Syn. It is a tragic disease.  So sorry for what you have experienced.  Wanda
strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

6 posted 2002-02-20 02:48 PM


Oh My martie, How heartfelt this is. I thank you for sending me to that site, I have put a page up there for my son..This is awesome. I know about reye's but many do not. floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
7 posted 2002-02-20 02:50 PM


Martie I had never heard of this and of course my heart always goes out to you as a Mother as well, and as a friend respected your privacy in asking about Michelle.  I want to thank you so much for sharing this with us as painful as it must be, and I have forwarded this link to Brenda (my daughter-in-law) as she has a large group of friends, and asked her to send your poem and the link to everyone that they know.  It is only through knowledge we learn.  Hugs sweetie and thank you for the strength in doing this.

Live today like it was your last day on earth!
  ~* I don't know who said it but they were sure right *~



Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 2002-02-20 03:16 PM


Noah--Thank you for your sweet heart.

Karilea--Yes...that was a bad year for the disease as it was just becoming known.  The year before, l974, when Michelle had it, very few doctors knew anything about it.

Vandana--It is sad..and would be especially sad now...that is why it is important to know about it.

Sy--Thank you for reading.

Wanda--Thank you so much for stopping to read...yes, it is tragic.

Floria--I'm so glad you have put something in the website for grief.."Coming Through the Fire".  Thank you for letting me know.

Sharon--It is something that I talk about when ever I can.  As you say, knowledge is power..and without it more children could become ill with this disease.  Thank you for your friendship!


suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
9 posted 2002-02-20 04:48 PM


It seems almost inappropriate to breathe the word "beautiful" when a poem is so filled with heartbreak... but your love for Michelle does guide your pen in such a beautiful way.

I can remember when aspirin was the only pain reliever in the medicine cabinet. That's not the case anymore... in part because of people like you who are determined to share knowledge and prevent more grief. I'm grateful, Martie.

Cpat Hair
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Member Patricius
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Posts 11793

10 posted 2002-02-20 04:52 PM


There are no words.

As I read, and felt the words, I am left withhout them...

I am sorry for your loss, but heartened to know you have made something positive of its pain.


Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

11 posted 2002-02-20 09:41 PM


What could be more of an appropriate tribute this.....
All I can add is that I admire you so much as a woman, a mother, and a poet and thank you for all you share of her....
thru you we have come to love her and learn from you both.
love you too.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
12 posted 2002-02-20 10:05 PM


Martie, I ditto everything Janet Marie said.
And send my love, hugs and prayers to you.
Nancy.

~Love, like magic, depends on believing.~

Auguste
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By the sea
13 posted 2002-02-21 01:43 PM


*hugs* my friend

Michael Auguste~
There is more depth to the heart than the mind can comprehend and it only has boundaries when we choose to fence it in.  

Saunni
Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 1777
West Virginia
14 posted 2002-02-21 02:07 PM


Martie, I don't really know much about this disease, but I can only imagine the parents of these children. I think God knew I could never handle watching a child of mine suffer like that...it's hard enough watching someone else's child do the same. You have touched my heart with this one! I wish I knew what to say...I am not real good with sad things. I wish you peace beyond peace and would like to say thank you for having the heart to share this. Be well!

Sauni @~~~>~~

The Sun Shines
Not On Us, But In Us
The River Flows Not Past,
But Through Us

Silver Streak
Member Elite
since 2002-01-02
Posts 3625
FL, USA
15 posted 2002-02-21 04:45 PM


My tears will always be with you.
((Martie))
-newell

Sharing God's Love through perfectlovepoetry.com

Copyright: 2002 Newell Elsworth Usher

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
16 posted 2002-02-22 01:34 AM



Martie-
You are amazing...both as a poet, and as
a loving and caring human being.
Only you could write so beautifully about
such a heartbreaking topic as this.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us,
and for always sharing your love for your Michelle.
Love and hugs,
~Vicky

"...until you have read the verse on his heart,
you have not truly met the poet.
~vlraynes

Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
17 posted 2002-02-22 02:47 AM


I came here tonight thinking of you and Michelle - so glad to find this sadly beautiful, poignant poem.  Every time I read "my own gamin girl", my throat squeezes in pain for you.  I can almost see her.

The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G.


lucky
Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601
Idaho
18 posted 2002-02-22 03:02 PM


Martie,

No, I haven't forgotten. We've felt so bad that it happened when it did... you being a florest and all... Valentine's day is such a big thing you know... allways caring.

love you Sis, dale

Writing isn't just something I do, it's something I am.
To write of feelings that touch all hearts in some manner is my delight.
-Marge Tindal


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