Channeling Erik

December30th

14 Comments

Debbie Macomber’s Son

Posted in: 2012 Bloggies, Channeling, Death of a Child

I’ve always been a Debbie Macomber fan, so when she lost her own son to suicide, my heart broke for her. In hopes of helping her grief, I sent her the following transcript where Erik provided us with news on his current welfare. I’ve told Debbie that I would reconnect with him after he had a chance to get oriented if she wished.

Me: Have you heard that Debbie Macomber’s 36 year-old son passed away this week? His name is Dale. Thirty-six, apparently a suicide. I’m hoping we can get a message from him for his mom, because I sure know how she feels. I’ve heard that he’s a really sweet guy, but he just got real despondent for some reason.

Jamie: That’s exactly what Erik was saying while you were talking.

Erik: He says he really loves is family. There wasn’t any contention there.

Me: Oh, yeah.

Erik: In fact, he had such deep respect for them that he never wanted to tell them he was doing badly. He didn’t know how to receive love and help, and so instead of asking and learning how to do that, he beat himself up so brutally that the only other external thing he could do is take his own life.

Me: Aw. Does he have any messages for his mama?

(Long pause)

Jamie: It’s weird. I get this image in my head and it’s only the guy’s nail beds. This random image. And, um, the nails are cut, they’re manicured, but there is dirt by the cuticles—not under the nails. It’s not like he was digging in the dirt, but his hands were dirty. Odd image. All I can hear is “I’m sorry.”

Erik: He’s not ready to talk yet. He just got here and he’s getting healing therapy.

Me: Well, maybe we can see if Debbie wants us to ask him some questions a bit later.

Erik: Yeah, I can bring him to a session in the future. Meanwhile, I’ll show him the ropes and orient him, hang out with him. I understand what he went through and what he’s going through now.

Me: Yeah, I know, Honey. Tell Dale we’ll try to get this message to his mom. Erik, maybe you can also help Dale communicate with her.

Erik: I don’t mind being the matchmaker.

Me: I know that’s one of your specialties over there. Tell Dale I said thank you for his time.

Jamie: He was here the whole time. Erik brought him along. He just sort of disappears. No goodbye or anything.

Me: Okay.

R.I.P. Dale

 

And now, here is a beautiful poem written by our Erik with the help of channel extraordinaire, Robert:

the snow angel

 

my life faded

as the snow angel

under norwegian sun.

proof of my existence

is expressed in the impression

i left behind.

just as the emerald grass

is compressed

by snow’s blanket,

just as the weight

of the body i once possessed

left whispers of the snow angel

after the warmth of the thaw

called powder Home.

i was here.

i am here

surrounded by loved ones

whose existence remains

and is celebrated by

joyous tears,

by the embrace of infinity.

my body sleeps

just as the snow angel

in norwegian summer.

carry inside

the tangible peace,

the love i expressed,

the mischief i shared.

they replace the shrouds

of my many forms;

brother, son

confidant, prankster,

musician, inventor,

cherished incarnate.

i am the snow angel.

i chose to take flight,

to relish the bliss

just out of reach

while treading winter’s path.

i am forever

at long last.

robert f. burke

december 27, 2011 

Again, mark your calendar for the nominations phase of the 2012 Bloggies starting January 1st!

http://2012.bloggi.es

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  • Patrick

    These Robert poems are GREAT! I see a contest coming…I want to enter so I can lose to such talent…mine are “in a different mood” most of the time.

    We wrote a few good poems on the Channeling Blog
    Erik understood ‘em and cleared away the fog
    A contest was proposed to see who would lose
    So the winner by default would stop the need to pick & choose
    The entries came a flyin’ Non-prose was tossed about
    Poetry in action, Iambic in and out
    The losers were announced They all stooped to take a a bow
    The winner was left over, The victor here and now….

    Now something for Dale…

    Thanks for coming along I know it’s hard to talk
    Trouble closes in, you even wonder how you walk
    Communication begs but the answers lag behind
    There’s nothing you can say when the words you cannot find
    Down and out and over, that’s what we often know
    But the reason’s never simple like “we’ll reap what we now sow”
    If the end of every phase were the total of the parts
    Life could be examined like a series of bad farts
    I know things felt real tough, Lately I visit there myself
    You wished it were a box that fit up on a shelf
    I’m glad you’re doing better I also hope to be real soon
    Then we can eat some old dog biscuits and howl at the full moon
    Come visit when you can, when we’re having some nice weather
    So when Erik gives you smells, breathe deep! Inhale the pleasure….

    Good to meet you Dale, come visit with Erik often and please nudge when we need it. Love and hugs, Patrick

    • http://www.channelingerik.com Elisa Medhus, MD

      Aw, Patrick. You’re so dang sweet. But what are you doing pup at this ungodly hour, boy???

    • Robert

      :-) Thanks for the compliment Patrick.

  • amy cavanaugh

    wow-what a difference between Erik and him-like Erik told us-it was his exit point, I hope that the woman whose granddaughter has been obsessed with suicide reads this and sees what happens if you check out before your exit point. I wonder how Erik knew it was ok to go. Oh Elisa I know that you are so sad not having Erik here, but can you imagine if he was gone but not settled-wow-this is very sad

  • Anonymous

    That was a beautiful poem. I loved it. And peace and love to Dale and family.

    • Robert

      Thanks for your kindness, Jane! :-)

  • Maria Laing

    Another situation that makes me question what people often say to us when we admit to having a hard time: “God will not give you more than you can handle”! Sometimes feelings can bring us right up to the edge of the most unbearable sorrow……thinking of you, Elisa and Debbie. How nice of you Elisa to attempt to contact Dale for his mother. love you, Maria

    Also, beautiful poem by Erik via Robert!!Thank you.

    • Robert

      Thanks Maria! :-) Erik told me to write something about a Snow Angel since he used to make them all the time while on winter holiday in Norway. No doubt he influenced the direction in more ways than just the title!

  • Paul Hampton Crockett

    I can only think, How very wonderful that neither Dale nor his Mom have to be alone. We are focused upon the idea of our own loss, Dale did not fail. To her and any other family members, it would have to help to know that Dale is loved in the here and now, exactly as he is.

    Robert, you are SOMETHING with that poetry! Seriously, when I first read the one Richard posted a couple weeks back, it was like time stopped and this chill came all over me, and it just… hit me. I figured it must be Billy Collins or Maya Angelou or somebody; it was such a mature, clear and elegant voice. It never occurred to me that the poet was OUR Robert, because… well, how could I have known?

    But now I do! And I am here to tell you: You have a real, true blue state-of-the-art in all the world (as far as I’m concerned) gift. Man, I am SO proud of you, and proud to know you. Just had to say that. Keep that flame growing!

    Thanks, beautiful people. And hopes for a New Year closer to glory–

    Paul Hampton

    • Robert

      Paul,

      I’m humbled and honored you thought it was written by such esteemed Souls! Thanks very much for the compliment!

  • Tedmacomber

    I am Dale’s brother. When Dale killed himself, he was missing in the woods for 2 days and I , alone, found him off of a trail. I have questions for Dale if Eric sees him or communicates with him again. As you know, our family is grieving terribly right now.

    • http://www.channelingerik.com Elisa Medhus, MD

      Oh Sweetie, of course I’ll help. Would you like to email me a list of questions? I so feel a connection here as an author myself. I get that Dale his a lot of pain just like Erik did. My email is emedhus@gmail.com. I’ll give you my phone numbers too if you like. Please give your mother a hug for me. I understand the extent of her pain.

  • LornaWotherspoon

    To Dales mother, brother and family how devastating, the pain must be unbearable I am so sorry.

    Good that Eric will be looking out for him and that Dales family will get some answers soon. Its so difficult for people to ask for help, to me its like you feel a failure for not coping…I might be wrong but I can imagine its harder for males to ask for help.

    Again, my heart goes out to you all xx

  • http://www.channelingerik.com Elisa Medhus, MD

    I miss him too! Robbie, don’t be a stranger!

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