Monday, September 7, 2009

Tribute to Caleb

When I was in kindergarten, I came home from school crying one day. My mother asked me what wrong and I told her, "A man named Vincent Van Gogh killed himself because no one appreciated his art. Then after he was dead, he became famous."

I was heart-broken. (My mother called the school and reamed them out for teaching five year olds about suicide!)

Last week, a guy that I went to elementary school with took his own life. I hadn't seen him in years, but we had recently reconnected on Facebook. I've been under a dark cloud ever since I heard. No matter how hard I try to enjoy the last beautiful days of summer, all I can see is his gorgeous smiling face!

So, this is for him:

Starry starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness of my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

For they could not love you,
but still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Caleb,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

(Lyrics from Vincent by Don McLean)

Rest in peace, my friend.

21 comments:

MeganRebekah said...

There are no words that will easy your mind or heart, but thoughts and prayers are with you!

MG Higgins said...

My heart goes out to you and to Caleb's family. Suicide is so very, very difficult to come to terms with. (Reading those lyrics brought a tear to my eyes.)

storyqueen said...

My thoughts are with you, Corey. This must be so hard.


Shelley

lisa and laura said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Corey. It says a lot about you that you feel this so deeply. You'll be in my thoughts.

Susan R. Mills said...

I'm so sorry, Corey. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well as Caleb's family. Suicide is a tough thing to deal with.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

It was beautiful that you said good-bye with words such as those. Suicide is the ultimate despair for the one who chooses it and for those left behind. I am so sorry.

Yat-Yee said...

I am so sorry. It is a fitting tribute. I hope the song or Van Gogh or memories of Caleb will help you through.

Suzette Saxton said...

So sorry - at least you got to reconnect with him before it happened. But still, so sad.

myrna rosen said...

it's a touching tribute, cor.
i think it's a good way to begin to move on.
i still find it all so terribly baffling....

my prayers are now for his family.

Unknown said...

Read your blog on Caleb.
I'm crying. You're beautiful.
I love you more than you can every imagine!

Corey Schwartz said...

Thanks so much, everyone. My husband always says, "Some people's lights shine brighter than others." We lost a very bright light last week. It is so sad and baffling.

I appreciate all your kind words.

Tiffany Strelitz Haber said...

that's really beautiful, corey. i hope you are doing "ok". you can talk to me as much as you want...if you want to talk about it at all. xo, t

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

so sorry :(

Tess said...

a beautiful tribute you've done here. so sorry for your loss. makes me want to pull those around me in close and hold them tight.

Elana Johnson said...

My condolences. Your poem is beautiful.

Corey Schwartz said...

Thanks, but it's not mine. Sorry, I should have credited Don McLean, but I just thought everyone would recognize the song, Vincent.

Sherrie Petersen said...

((hugs))

Kelly H-Y said...

I'm so sorry, Corey ... my thoughts are with you.

Rebecca Gomez said...

My heart goes out to you, Corey. We all have those dark cloud times. I'm sure yours will blow away soon.

Hardygirl said...

I love Don McLean. So sorry for your loss. It's hard to make it make sense.

sf

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about this. (((HUGS)))