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So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
~John Bunyan
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This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Mark Fowler who was born in Maryland on August 29, 1985 and passed away on January 24, 2006 at the age of 20. We will remember him forever.

Mark was born in Leonardtown MD, August 29, 1985.  He was full of energy and enthusiasm from day one.  Walked and talked early.  Always asking questions - what, where, why, when, how.  He never seemed to get enough input.  Mark always had projects going in his head.  After he grew up and learned "everything", he was going to build me a 16 story house with elevators, "So your legs won't get tired cleaning it all."

Although, he had a troubled teenage  life, I will always remember him as a smiling, questioning, loving and loved boy.

January 24, 2006, alone in a park, on a sunny warm day in Tampa, FL  Mark chose to end his life.  I know Mark did not know the devestation he would leave behind - he felt all alone - but my heart is forever shattered, our lives will never be the same, and we will miss him always.
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And think of him as living, in the hearts of those he touched.
For nothing loved is ever lost, and he was loved so much.
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** Unless noted otherwise the songs listed under the Audio & Video section are songs that Mark left for me on a video site he helped me to create two years ago.  He must have put the songs listed in my video folder a few days before he ended his life.  I guess they were a form of a suicide note.  He knew that I would eventually turn to music to process my grief.   Some of the songs  express his pain, some express his hope, and some express his love.  I hope they help you - as much as they have helped me. (They take a few minutes to load.)

Please scroll down and look at Mark's photo slide-show and light a candle, and feel free to add.  I hope you will never know what it means to us.

Heather, Marks Mom
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~~Blessed are the poor in spirit:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.~~
Matthew - Chapter 5, verse 3
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Jewish Prayer

WE REMEMBER THEM

At the rising of the sun and at its going down,
We remember them . . . 
At the blowing of the wind and the chill of winter,
We remember them . . .
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them . . . 
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer,
We remember them . . . 
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We remember them . . . 
At the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them . . . 
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us,
as we remember them . . . 
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We remember them . . . 
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them . . . 
When we have joy we crave to share,
We remember them . . . 
When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
We remember them . . . 
When we have achievements that are based on theirs,
We remember them . . .
As long as we live, they too will live; for they are now a part of us,
as we remember them . . . . . . . .  

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Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.~~
Matthew - Chapter 5, verse 4
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I Hear Each Tear Fall On Her Face


My Mom doesn't know I'm watching her
but I'm watching her just the same.
And I hear each tear fall on her face
at the very 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 to 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 lights up a sky.
But I don't see that smile today.
Oh, but I hear each tear fall on her face.
Her blue skies have turned to gray.

Oh 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.

Yes, my Mom doesn't know I'm 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!

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Don’t Understand If It Was God’s Plan
written by Linda Stilson 
~ In memory of her son Michael Joseph

I don’t understand why you had to go.
I don’t think that I will ever know.

I don’t believe that it was part of God’s plan.
For you to die by your own hand.
I think God saw the pain you were in.
That you fought the battle and wouldn’t win.

So he took your hand and helped you across.
Over to his side with others we lost.
Where you could no longer suffer in pain.
Where the sun always shines and there is no rain.

No struggles at work, no longer the fights.
No worries of finances and unpleasant nights.
That is what I hope was part of God’s plan.
With others in heaven, my handsome young man.

Jesus died on the cross to forgive us our sins.
That was before we were born, long before our kins.
How would he know what sins to forgive us for?
Because he knew we would make mistakes even more.

He knew we would slip and fall along the way.
For he is always watching over us every day.
He gave us life so precious he didn’t want us to take away.
But he held out love for those that felt they couldn’t live another day.

For they were sick and helpless and knew not what to do.
They  didn't have the strength to fight it like me and you.
I have to believe that God was there and led him safely home.
That he is at peace in heaven as an angel, may he roam.

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LINKS

1-800-273-TALK - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/related/suicide_teens_3.asp
Teen suicide and substance abuse.

http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.suicide.html 
Authoritative, in depth, information about all aspects of suicide and suicide prevention.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm  
CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.  Suicide facts prevention and strategies.

www.yellowribbon.org For the prevention of Teen Suicide
Depression and loneliness cause thousands of youth who appear to be happy to scream silently in the...

www.DBSAlliance.org Suicide Prevention
Learn warning signs, treatment facts, and more.  We're here to help.

www.na.org/ Narcotics Anonymous World Services
Help with any substance abuse.  Find area meetings or helpline #'s

www.spanusa.org/  Suicide Prevention Action Network
Grass-roots organization founded by survivors and dedicated to the development of a proven, effective national strategy for suicide prevention.

SUPPORT LINKS

www.survivorsofsuicide.com/
Survivors of Suicide - Suicide Survivors - Suicide Survivors Support Groups - Support Groups for Survivors, How To Help A Survivor Heal ...

www.parentsofsuicide.com/parents.html
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/parentsofsuicides/
On-line support group. Parents of Suicides (POS) is an e-mail support group (and more) for parents whose sons or daughters took their own lives.

www.friendsandfamiliesofsuicide.com
The Friends & Families of Suicides (FFOS) is an e-mail support group for those whose lives have been affected by suicide