DOUGLAS RAYMOND GLYNN, 17 of Nacogdoches, Texas died Thursday, January 11th, 2007 at his residence. Born in Leominster, MA, he was the son of Raymond Glynn and Marsha Rosencrance Glynn. He was a senior at Stubblefield Learning Center in Lufkin, Texas and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches, Texas.
He is also survived by a a brother, Robert Glynn of Nacogdoches; a brother and sister- in- law, Gregory J. and Taylor Glynn of Seattle, WA; a sister, Kathleen Mary Glynn of Whately, MA and many nieces and nephews.
Following services in Texas, there will be a graveside service on Wednesday, January 17th, 2007 at 11:30 am at the Wicomico Memorial Park in Salisbury. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2508 Appleby Sand Road, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965.
Like A Book
When I have no one to turn to...
Tribute to Douglas Raymond Glynn
My Cousin, Dougie
The Dash
Hope
Do Not Stand...
THE QUILT!
Memory of Doug
Tribute from Shay Stevens
Stressing
Laughter .gif)
Myths About Grief
LIKE A BOOK
Still unread beside our chair,
Step beyond all mortal care.
Remind us of what we have known;
Now beside the Golden Throne.
To the realm of all that's rare,
And rest by the Master's chair.
WHEN
When I have no one to turn to
And I am feeling kind of low,
When there is no one to talk to
And nowhere I want to go,
I search deep within myself
It is the love inside my heart
That lets me know my Angel is there
Even though we are miles apart.
A smile then appears upon my face
And the sun begins to shine.
I hear a voice, so soft and sweet
Saying, 'Everything will be just fine'
It may seem that I am alone
But I am never by myself at all.
Whenever I need my Angel near
All I have to do is call.
My Angel's love is always true
On that I can depend.
He will always stand behind me
And will always be my friend.
Through darkest hours and brightest days
My Angel sees me through
He smiles when I am happy, and will cry when I am blue.
Thanks for being my Angel, Doug
I thank you for all of your love.
Growing up, I had a lot of cousins. I had the much older cousins, the much younger second cousins, the cousins that were kind of close to my age and then I had my cousin Dougie. Dougie is what I ALWAYS called him; Doug just sounded too old, and in my mind, I didn't want us to grow up. We were only 14 months apart, the closest in age of all my cousins. Everyone always says that as kids, we were never separated when we were together. We were always laughing and playing with the tinker toys at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s; seeing who could build their castle bigger. Of course, I always won; I had to because I was older.
Not only did we always play together, but we were always holding hands and following each other around. It never ended, or so I’m told through numerous stories. In almost every picture I look at from when we were younger, Doug had his arm around me; like he was protecting me. When we were younger, we were the ring bearer and the flower girl in our older cousins wedding. I can remember the dress I wore, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of memory about the wedding. I just know that Dougie and I were together, holding hands and walking down that aisle smiling.
I remember when we were younger, we would sleep in the 'red room' at grandmas house and we would talk about silly things until we would fall asleep or we would pretend there were monsters outside the windows and we would hide under the covers until I got really scared and then Dougie would promise me there were no monsters and that it was safe to go to sleep. We were so close; we should have been brother and sister. But brothers and sisters fight, and as cousins, we didn't.
As we got a little older, we began to understand each other. And even though we only saw each other 2 or 3 times a year, I lived for the times I got to see Dougie over the summer and at Christmas! As soon as I would hear that Aunt Marsha and Uncle Ray were in town, the first question I would always ask was "Are Dougie and Robbie here?!" And as soon as my dad would tell me they were, I got the biggest smile on my face and I couldn't wait to see them! It may have been that I only saw Dougie at Christmas time for a week or so and then during the summer for a week, but every time he came to Maryland I felt as if he had never left me. For some reason, we never grew apart; we just got closer every time we got together. Our relationship continued to grow even though we didn't see each other for 6 months. As soon as we saw each other, we would begin talking like we had seen each other every single day of our lives.
At Denny's wedding in May, Dougie and I got to know each other a lot more. We talked about school and friends and all the crazy things we did. We quickly learned that as we were growing up, we were becoming more and more alike. It was like we had the same spirit and the same thoughts. I felt like he could start to say something and I could finish his sentence. And he could do the same with me. We were the 'wild cousins' in the family, always being the dare devils and trying something new! After the wedding we of course exchanged hugs and said we'd see each other next time they came to Maryland. Over the summer, I didn't get to see Dougie because I was so busy with work. But Dougie knew I loved him and he knew we'd see each other next time he was in town. Time went by and Thanksgiving came along and I was hoping they might come home for the Holiday; but no Dougie and no Robbie.
Christmas was quickly coming and Grandma and I were talking about Christmas and who was going to be coming and where they would be staying. We started talking about Aunt Marsha and Uncle Ray and the first question I asked her was, "Is Dougie going to be here this year?" She replied with "I believe he will be." It made my day to know Dougie would be coming home for Christmas! It was a tradition and I waited for it every single year! I remember the year Dougie wanted to stay with his friends in Texas and I was so upset; it just wasn't Christmas without him. But, Aunt Lou’s Christmas Dinner came on the 23rd and I arrived with my boyfriend. I wasn't really talking to anyone because there were so many people. I was standing in line to get something to eat and I spotted Dougie quietly sitting in the chair by the door. I quickly tapped him on the knee and said "You can't say hi to anybody!?" He jumped to his feet, gave me a big hug and replied in his Texan accent, "I'm sorry, I didn't even see you!". Of course, we immediately started talking! The night was over; we gave hugs and would see each other the next day. Christmas Eve dinner at Grandmas was delicious as always and Doug, Tim and I decided to go for a ride. So we went to the store and stopped by my boyfriend’s house for a minute. We just got away and got to talk without all the adults. It was just us cousins. We didn't want to be gone too long, so we hurried home before everyone started to worry.
Then later that night, I told Dougie and Robbie I wanted to get a picture with the two of them and Tim, just the four of us cousins! We took many pictures that night; but Robbie and Tim started to get restless and bored with taking pictures so we let them go and Dougie and I took pictures of just the two of us. I remember Aunt Marsha standing there taking pictures of us at different angles and just saying "You two are so photogenic! You must be cousins! You even kind of look alike!" So Dougie and I finished our pictures and Aunt Marsha teased us about me being his 'girlfriend' and the girls in Texas would be jealous! Later that night, I said I would drive Dougie and Robbie back to Aunt Sandy’s because it was on my way. On our way home, I almost ran out of gas and Dougie offered to use his gas card to get me some gas! I said it was ok and that I had enough but that's Dougie for you, always trying to help someone! Christmas day came and we opened our gifts at Grandmas, shared what we got and gave our hugs before we left. I remember saying to Dougie "Love you; I’ll see you this summer!" Dougie smiled and said "Yea at the beach!" That was something Dougie and I both loved, the beach. We could stay there for hours. Dougie was more of the in the water type of person and I was more of the let me lay on the beach type. Either way, we both loved the beach and Ocean City!
On Friday morning, January 12th, I received a call from Grandma & Grandpa. It was very odd for them to call me. Grandpa was on the phone and he asked me if I was at work and I said no. He then asked if I was at school and I said no. He then told me my grandma needed to talk to me. Grandma got on the phone and she said "Honey, are you at school?" "No." I replied. "Are you at work?" Getting nervous, I quickly said no. Grandma then asked, "Have you talked to your Daddy?" "NO! Why, what's wrong?!” I said with horror in my voice. "Brittaney, I think you should sit down, I have something to tell you." With worry in my grandma’s voice, I sat down and asked her to tell me what was wrong. "Honey you know little Doug Glynn?” Grandma asked. "Yea, why? What's wrong?” I replied. "Doug was found in his bed, he's passed away Brittaney.” Grandma told me. "WHAT?” I cried. I didn't know what to say, tears just rolled down my face and all I could ask was why? Grandma explained to me what had happened but I still couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe this could happen to a 17 year old healthy boy. What would I do without him? Where would I stand Christmas when I had no one to talk to? Who would I share the beach with over the summer? It ran through my head over and over again but I still don't think it had really hit me.
I went to the store and made copies of the pictures I had in my scrapbook from some of the recent times we had shared together. Then I went to Grandma’s, and Aunt Lou and I looked at pictures of us and I couldn't stop crying. But still, I don't think it had hit me that he wasn't going to be here anymore. The day of the funeral, I got up and got dressed and headed to the viewing. When I walked in and saw Dougie laying there in the casket, it hit me; he wasn't going to be at the beach over the summer and he wasn't going to be there Christmas. My closest cousin and my long distance best friends was gone. After seeing my handsome Dougie for the last time, Aunt Marsha hugged me and cried "Brittaney, Doug loved you so much. He just looked up to you and he was so proud of you!" I cried my way through the funeral and I couldn't stop. And every single time I did stop crying, I would begin thinking about Dougie and I would start crying again. When I saw the pictures of Dougie and I when we were little from the wedding I couldn't help but smile! In the picture, it looked like Dougie was walking ahead of me 2 or 3 steps, but he was holding my hand. I laughed and said he may have been ahead of me, but I was leading him because I was older! Sitting here thinking about it, I have realized Dougie was leading me, he was leading me down the aisle that day and he's leading me now. He's leading me for the rest of my life as he watches down over me. He's my guardian angel and there'll never be another cousin like Dougie. We were inseparable and I can't wait for the day I go to Heaven and walk through the pearly gates where he'll be waiting for me there with God.
I hope Dougie tells God all the stories about the things we did together and as he's watching me from heaven, I know he's leading me through my life just like he lead me when we were younger. Christmas and the beach will never be the same, but I know he is there beside me. If I look to my right, he's right there; watching my every move and protecting me. He's definitely my guardian angel!
Brittaney Kaye Rosencrance, Cousin
The Dash
By Linda Ellis
I read of a reverend who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of his birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that he spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved him
know what that little line is worth.
For it matter not, how much we own;
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at “dash mid-range.”)
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special “dash”
might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your “dash”.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
For now I am sitting at Jesus feet!
THE QUILT
As I faced my Maker as I approached heavens gates, I knelt before the Lord along with many other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in
many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together
into a tapestry that was our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed
how ragged and empty some of my squares were. They were filled with
holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult,
the challenges and temptations I was faced with in my short every day life.
I saw the hardships that I endured during my seventeen years,
which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a
tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,
threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held
up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn,
holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been, it seemed to me.
My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in diasppointment. I had not had all the earthly fortunes and only seventeen short years. I had the love of my parents, siblings, family and friends in my life. I had laughter and wonderful memories of times shared and people who cared.
But there had also been trials of distraught and strife, and false accusations that took from me
my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often
struggled with the temptation of disappointment, only to somehow muster the strength to pick
up and begin again.
I had the constant encouragement of my Mom and Dad and I know they
spent many nights in prayer, asking for help and guidance from God for my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I
endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that
I would not melt beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me, those who did not really know me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the
light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others
who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image… the face of Christ.
Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said,
"Every time you gave over your life to Me,
it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me Shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to
Shine through!
Memory of Doug
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
A part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.
A million times we'll miss you,
A million times we'll cry..
If love could have saved you,
You never would have died.
Now each day as we travel
Through our daily lives,
No one can understand the heartache,
As we turn and ask the why's?.
No fare wells were spoken,
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.
If tears could build a stairway,
And heartaches make a lane,
We'd walk the path to Heaven,
And bring you back again
Hi my name is Shay Stevens. Doug was one of my best friends. So I had to do sumthing special to remember him by.. He always wore DC clothes so since his initals are DG. I went out and got the DC emblem tattoo'd on my forearm, but instead of the "C" theres a "G". Underneath the emblem it says slim thug which was his nickname, that I always use to call him. I thought I would explain it a lil bit instead of just sendin the picture by itself.
Thanks,
Shay Stevens
Thanks Shay for being Doug's friend and for caring about him. We will also add "Slim Thug" From Shay Stevens to the "Quilt of Love".
Tribute to Doug Glynn Staff
Stressing Laughter
By Rabbi Earl Grollman
Bereaved people tell me how uncomfortable they are when they
begin to smile again. They may feel guilty and disloyal, as if
participating in an act of betrayal.
On the face of it, grief and laughter are the opposite poles
of human feelings. Yet they are inextricably bound. Laughter
permits you to approach grief, reduce it to size, and manage
loss effectively. Like a safety valve, humor offers a shift in
perspective and energy that restores a sense of balance.
It’s ok to laugh again. It’s good spiritually. Proverbs
(15:3) tells us, “A merry heart doth good like medicine.”
It’s good psychologically. Sigmund Freud wrote, “Humor
is a defense mechanism that allows people to face difficult situations
without being overwhelmed.” Humor vents anger and despair,
liberates hidden emotions, and promotes healing.
Laughter is good medically. The Journal of the American Medical
Association emphasizes the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter
loosens muscles, enhances circulation, and triggers the body’s
natural pain killers. It works without bad side effects.
Ask yourself these two questions: By denying yourself pleasure,
are you commemorating appropriately your loved one’s memory?
Wouldn’t your loved one want you to savor life and live
as fully as possible?
Your loved one is dead, but you are still alive. Smiling and
enjoying parts of life is not an indication that you loved less.
It is your determination to affirm life, a true testimonial to
your loved one. It’s okay to laugh again.
John F. Kennedy said, “There are three things that are
real: God, human tragedy, and laughter. Since we cannot understand
completely the first two, we must do with the third: laughter.”
Cry when you must; laugh when you can.
MYTHS ABOUT GRIEF
Myth: We only grieve deaths.
Reality: We grieve all types of losses.
Myth: Only family members grieve.
Reality: All who are attached grieve.
Myth: Grief is an emotional reaction.
Reality: Grief is manifested in many ways.
Myth: Individuals should leave grieving at home.
Reality: We cannot control where we grieve.
Myth: We slowly and predictably recover from grief.
Reality: Grief is an uneven process with no timeline.
Myth: Grieving means letting go of the deceased person.
Reality: We never, ever fully detach.
Myth: Grief finally ends.
Reality: Over time most people learn to live with loss.
Myth: Grievers are best left alone.
Reality: Grievers need opportunities to share their memories
and receive support.
Myth: Children don’t
grieve.
Reality: Children grieve differently
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