The Loss of Finn Terry
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Finn Terry. Tragically, Finn, an 11 year old Portland boy, died this weekend when a canoe he was riding in flipped over in the Clackamas River. Finn attended da Vinci Arts Middle School in Portland and he received a standing ovation at the school’s talent show on Friday when he read his poem about love.
My neighbors’ and friends’ children played baseball and attended school with Finn. How do you explain such a loss to a child? How do families deal with the loss? My cousin died in a car accident during my first year of law school and a classmate died when I was in 7th grade — loss is hard to understand at any age but especially hard for children to understand. I encourage anyone who is seeking answers or interested in help in this area to seek the help of the Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon.
The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. It is a wonderful resource in Portland for families dealing with loss. The Dougy Center is supported through generous private donations from individuals, companies and foundations and it does not receive federal or state funds. Because of the generous donations, the Dougy Center is able to provide its services free of charge.
Here are two of Finn’s poems:
At first he loved it he loved the great sensation it brought but as he grew he realized what it did and hated everything about it but was still addicted he could barely talk by age 29 but the drug still called out and he still answered and it was always calling louder and faster until it was silent its purpose had been fulfilled and he slept silently, stilly, the path was finally clear when it used to be covered with the vile black cloud of smoke, and all he saw was a bright light walking to it he thought that he was free from the pain that felt so good, free to explore all he missed in another world, free to finally rest without the eternal cries from the box of evil, his curse had been lifted. Now joyful for the first time since childhood he looked at the world he parted from and saw many people following the same path and felt a new type of pain, a worse type of pain he now knew as sorrow and he could bear it no longer, he visited dreams and entered minds and pleaded them to stop but they didn’t listen to him or anything else, except the great sensation it brought and it always ended in silence.
———-
As he stood in the batter’s box again realizing it’s a full count and two outs and last inning, he needs a miracle to win this game, he looks confidently at the pitcher even though he’s has an extremely nervous look and by the time the pitcher started his pitch his knees were wobbling and when he threw the last ball of the game you could hear the ball screaming it was going so fast we all knew it was game over but what’s this he’s swinging without hesitation! The last three seconds seemed to be in slow motion the crowd leaned in the players pushed themselves against the fence the umpire yells STRIKE THREE BATTER OUT his team disappointed left grumbling the other left cheering, he was all alone, if you want to see him he’s still there helmet on bat in hand waiting for the next game.
Both by
Finn Terry
This entry was posted on Monday, June 9th, 2008 at 10:46 am and is filed under General, Legal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
This tragic loss helps give us perspective on the important things in life: our children, family and friends. It also reminds us of the importance and power of our community during times of need. My thoughts go to Finn’s family and all those that were touched by Finn. Our family was impacted by Finn and his kindness, especially to our youngest during baseball season. He always had a smile and a kind word. He will be missed both on and off the baseball field. Thanks for your comments and the resource of the Dougy center.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Finn went to school with me and we had just recently started to get to know each other better. Especially after the dance recital. He was one of the coolest sixth graders I had gotten to know. I was on the eighth grade trip on my way home when I found out. At first I thought it was just a really bad prank, but my friend confirmed it when he told me to read the paper. I have had three deaths happen at my time with Da Vinci. One of them was Finn. He will always be in my heart. I will never forget his beautiful writing and his outlook on life. Finn’s death has really effected me. It made me think of all the things that he never got to do. And all the things I’ve done. It made me really want to live my life. To speak up more, and tell people what I think. Finn was too young to pass on, way too young. He was so innocent and so funny, but he was one of the sweetest kids I’ve met in a long time. I wont stop thinking about him. Not for one minute. My condolences to his family. My you rest in a better place. I’ll miss your face in the hallways of Da Vinci Arts M.S forever.
Sincerely,
Haley L. Ogden
8th grade
Da Vinci Arts M.S.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I hardly know where to start. I extend my sincere condolences to the family. Words can not begin to express how sory I am to hear of your loss.
I am a dad, Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster etc. Two of my sons are also Eagle Scouts. I have taken scouts on backpacking trips, snow camps and, yes, Canoe trips. While we know there are risks we never expect a trip to end with the loss of a scout.
I have found myself reflecting on trips, danger points and the three times people in our troop have flipped canoes. Once on a lake and twice in a river.
I am still involved in scouting and will take scouts on yet more outings. This loss will be in the back of my mind with every trip I take. Our troop will discuss this and will review our planning process.
May God bless you, comfort you and be with you as to seek to pick up the pieces and find your way forward.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
The news of Finn Terry’s death deeply saddened our family. It would be hard for anyone in the Alameda/Beaumont community to ignore his mothers constant and pressing devotion to her children. To Pam and her family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Lopez Family
Leah, Mark, Morgan, Jake and Kyle
June 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I lost my newphew 2 years ago in a car accident at the same time he was the same age as my son. Saturday evening I personally watched the whole recovery efforts in Gladstone why they tried to save a Angel. Finn was once again the same age as my son. I see people loose there children and I feel so sad for them. There were so many tears on saturday afternoon amoung all the people praying, watching and hopeing it was all going to end in a good way. I felt so sorry for the other people who were with the troup to watch there friend, family suffer. God bless to all of you. As there parents I can only imagine from the sounds of it they were very proud as he was a true blessing of a child to have.
Shelly
July 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Finn was in my grade at school, he was such a great friend to everybody at school. We all really miss him so much! As my friend said,
“He was the light of the hallways, which now remain dark.”