Poems

1. Twenty-Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for
His Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.

3. L'Éternel est mon berger:
je ne manquerai de rien.
Il me fait reposer
dans de verts pâturages,
Il me dirige près des eaux paisibles.
Il restaure mon âme,
Il me conduit dans les sentiers
de la justice,
A cause de son nom.
Quand je marche dans la vallée
de l'ombre de la mort,
Je ne crains aucun mal,
Car tu es avec moi:
Ta houlette et ton bâton,
Voilà mon réconfort.
Tu dresses devant moi une table,
En face de mes adversaires;
Tu oins d'huile ma tête,
Et ma coupe déborde.
Oui, le bonheur et la grâce m'accompagneront
Tous les jours de ma vie,
Et j'habiterai dans la maison de l'Éternel
Jusqu'à la fin de mes jours.

4. Psaume 26

Le Seigneur est ma lumière et mon salut,
de qui aurais-je crainte?
Le Seigneur est le rempart de ma vie,
devant qui tremblerais-je?

Une chose qu'au Seigneur je demande,
la chose que je cherche,
c'est d'habiter la maison du Seigneur
tous les jours de ma vie.

Je le crois, je verrai la bonté de Dieu
sur la terre des vivants.
Espère en Dieu, prends coeur et prends courage:
espère en Dieu!

5. A Message From Heaven

When you search your heart and mind for memories
Think of the ones that make you smile
Or laugh and warm your heart
For I will
Do not dwell upon my passing
Rejoice instead, of you time together
For I will
Be courageous, loving, happy and strong
And enjoy your life to the fullest
For I will, be watching
Remember in your times of sorrow
That I love you; that I will always
Be with you, within your heart and memories
For you will always be with me, in mine

-Carol Nelson

Au moment où nous disons adieu à un époux bien aimé, un père tendrement aimé et à un frère et ami chèri, nous nous arrêtons quelques instants pour mèditer sur le vrai sens de la VIE. Pour tous ceux et celles qui croient en ton amour, Seigneur, la mort n'est pas la fin, et elle ne détruit pas les liens d'amitié. Au baptème, Léo reçut le gage de la vie éternelle. Nous avons donc confiance qu'il jouit déjà de la compagnie des saints, dans un face à face avec Dieu.

Alors que nous pleurons l'absence de Léo, nous nous tournons vers Toi, dieu d'Amour pour chercher consolation et pour continuer de vivre dans l'espoir qu'un jour nous serons tous réunis auprès de Toi.

"Je suis la résurrection.
Qui Croit en moi, fut-il mort, vivra.
Et quiconque nit et croit en moi
ne mourra jamais."
(Jn 11:25 - 26)

10. AMAZING GRACE

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
-Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares:
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we'd first begun.

11. An Old Irish Blessing

May the blessing of the light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine upon you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, and also a friend. And may the light shine out of the eyes of you, like a candle set in the window of a house, bidding the wanderer to come in out of the storm. And may the blessing of the rain be on you--the soft sweet rain. May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up, and shed their sweetness on the air. And may the blessing of the great rains be on you, may they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there many a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines, and sometimes a star. And may the blessing of the earth be on you--the great round earth; may you ever have a kindly greeting for them you pass as you're going along the roads. May the earth be soft under you when you rest out upon it, tired at the end of a day, and may it rest easy over you when, at the last, you lie out under it. May it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be off from under it quickly, and up and off, and on its way to God. And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.

12.

And Peace at Last
may he give us a safe lodging
May he support us
all the day long,
till the shadows lengthen
and the evening comes
and the busy world is hushed
and the fever of life is over
and our work is done—
then in his mercy—
and holy rest
and peace at last.

13.

A person's greatest heritage

is the fond memories

left in the hearts and minds

of family and friends.

15. A Word on Consolation

If a tiny baby could think, it would be afraid of birth. To leave the only world it has known would seem a kind of death, but immediately after birth the child would find itself in loving arms, showered with affection and cared for at every moment. Surely the baby would say, "I was foolish to doubt God's Plan for me. This is a beautiful life."

For the Christian, passing through death is really a birth into a new and better world. Those who are left behind should not grieve as if there were no hope. Life is changed, not taken away. Our dear ones live on, in a world beautiful beyond anything we can imagine. With Jesus and Mary they await the day when they will welcome us with joy.

"Do not grieve too much," they say to us. "We are living and are still with you."

16.

The beauty of the trees,
the softness of the air,
the fragance of the grass,
speaks to me.

The summit of the mountain,
the thunder of the skys,
the rhythm of the sea,
speaks to me.

The faintness of the stars,
the freshness of the morning,
the dew drop on the flower,
speaks to me.

The strength of fire,
the taste of salmon,
the trail of the sun,
And the life that never goes away,
They speak to me.

And my heart soars.

by Chief Dan George

17. The Beyond

It seemeth such a little way to me
Across to that strange country,
The Beyond;
And yet, not strange,
for it has grown to be
the home of those of whom
I am so fond.
And so for there is no death;
It is but crossing,
with abated breath;
A little strip of sea
To find one's loved ones
waiting on the shore
More beautiful,
more precious than before.

Ella Wheeler Wilde

It takes courage to smile
when the world is dark
And the sun just refuses to shine.
When you've lost your way
and your heart is sad
And the path is an upward climb.

It takes courage to hope
when your hope is gone
And nothing just seems to be right,
Today 's just an echo of yesterday's gone
With naught but the darkness of night.

It takes courage to dream
when your mind is adrift
And a weariness enters your soul...
When you long for contentment
and peace in your heart
but can't seem to conquer your goal.

It takes courage to smile,
It takes courage to hope...
A courage when all else is gone,
When clouds overshadow the sun in your sky.
It takes courage to smile and go on.
Garnett Ann Schultz

19.A Cowboy's Prayer

God? I don't mean to bother you none. It's been a spell since I talked to you last. I reckon I ought to thank you for all you do 'cause this ole cowboy has had quite a past.
I'm gettin' too old to drive these herds. My bones hurt and my temper gets short, but somehow these younger boys need this old man when they get to missin' home and get a little out of sorts.
As I lay here lookin' up at the stars I can't imagine not bein' right here listenin' to the night critters makin' their noise. You're lookin' down on me so I have nothing to fear.
You've been really good to me. You've given me a lot of years to ride these trails. It's fed my family but not made me rich and my youngin's love my tall tales.
I pray you'll guide me along with all these cattle along the way. Let there be plenty of water and feed and keep the wind a gentle breeze and clouds in the sky, 'cause with these things, it's all we really need.
I'm gonna say goodnight for now. I always feel a might better after talkin' with you. Thank you for listening to this old cowboy. And God .... I love you too.

When I shall be called to make
That inevitable, silent crossing,
I shall be to linger--
While I look indelibly on scenes
I have loved long and passionately;
And I would carry them
Like sweet incense
Within my heart--
The glory of dawn and twilight--
The quietude of starry nights,
The clasp of friendly hands,
The tender voice of love.
Then as my bark forsakes
Familiar moorings
I will go, taking these memories
I have loved,
So that Heaven's beauties
seem not too strange
Author unknown

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our borne of time and place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1889

Let me fly,
Let me fly far.

Never let me fade,
Never be so cruel.

Keep me safe in your arms,
Keep me safe in your arms.

Remember how I loved you,
Remember all I wanted to say.

Time passes so quickly,
But memories always stay.

Let me fly,
Let me fly far.

Never let me fade,
Never be so cruel.

23. Through the Glass Darkly

Now we can see through the glass darkly
But then we will see face to face
Now I know but part of your mystery
Then I'll see your fullness of grace

Spread your wings as eagles that fly
Take to the mountain of the Lord
Build for us a place
By your prayers of grace
Forever, you'll be in our hearts

Let all her life give praise to the Lord
Let all her loving ways be known
Remember her as a servant of God
One with Him and never alone

Spread your wings as eagles that fly
Take to the mountain of the Lord
Build for us a place
By your prayers of grace
Forever, you'll be in our hearts

Now all we know is life in its fullness
Will be seen at the end of our days
Trusting you the one gone before us
In your gentle and merciful ways

24.

Do not stand by my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle Autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of the quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there...I did not die.

25.

Don't think of (NAME) as gone away,
his journey's just begun,
Life holds so many facet's
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting,
from the sorrows and the tears,
In a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing,
that we could know, today,
How nothing but our sadness,
Can really pass away.
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.

The earth called to my friend and he went,
Deep into the earth root from which he came,
Down into Blue Lake where our ancestors dwell,
Deep into the heart of the Yellow Corn Maiden,
To a place of Beauty and Light.

I watched the sky for along time and then I saw
A cloud in the shape of my friend,
Riding a fine white horse with wings so big
They blotted out the sun making shadows
Across my withered fields of corn.

I called to my friend to ask if he was happy
And if he knew more than when he left.
I called out his name and blessed him
With an Eagle feather, dancing in his behalf,
The wild old dances of our youth.

Good-bye, my friend, I said, watching the Clouds
Crumble into little pillows that fell as rain
into the dryness of my fields

27. Ever Close in Mind and Heart

No further away than a picture,
A smile or remembered phrase,
Our loved ones live in memory--
So close in so many ways.
For how often does a sunset
Bring nostalgic thoughts to mind
Of moments that our loved ones shared
In days now left behind!
How often has a flower,
Or a crystal autumn sky
Brought golden recollections
Of happy days gone by!
Yes, memory has a magic way
Of keeping loved ones near--
Ever close in the mind and heart
Are the ones we hold most dear.
Marjorie Frances Ames

In Flanders Fields the Poppies blow,
Between the crosses row and row,
That mark the place; and in the sky,
The Larks still bravely singing fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep though Poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
- John McCrae -

29. FLY

Fly, Fly little wing
Fly beyond imaging
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

30. Footprints

One night a man had a dream, He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonged to him, and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most, you would leave me." The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

31.

For every thing

There is a season,

and a time

for every matter

under heaven.

God looked around His garden
And found an empty space;
He then looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest;
God's garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain
He knew you might never
Get well upon this earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
and the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you never went alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

33.

CHWAþA OJCU...

Chwaþa Ojcu i Synowi, i Duchowi
þwiþtermu.
Jak byþa na poczþtku,
teraz i zawsze, i na wieki wiek¢w.
Amen

Prière à Sainte Marguerite d`Youville

Laisse-nous te chanter, Marguerite
proclamer bien haut ta foi
ton espérance et ta charité
car tu es pour nous page d`Evangile
concrétisée dans l`aujourd`hui.

Prête-nous tes yeux
pour découvrir les besoins
qui sont encore grands à notre époque.

Prête-nous tes oreilles
pour entendre les cris
qui montent de l`humanité souffrante.

Prête-nous tes mains
pour panser les blessures
et surtout, prête-nous ton coeur
pour manifester la tendresse du Père
dans un amour sans frontière.

God gave the world stars...
and there was beauty...
God gave the world sun...
and there was warmth...
God gave the world rain...
and there was life...
God gave the world mothers...
and there was love.

For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should

not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

37.

God saw you getting tired
A cure was not to be
So he wrapped you in His loving arms
And whispered, "Come with Me."

You suffered much in silence
Your spirit did not bend
You faced your pain with courage
Until the very end.

You tried so hard to stay with us
Your fight was all in vain
God took you to His loving home
And freed you from all pain.

38.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,
courage to change
the things I can,
and the wisdom
to know the difference

39.

God saw you getting tired
A cure was not to be.
So He closed His arms around you
And whispered, "Come with Me".
You suffered much in silence
Your spirit did not bend
You faced your pain with courage
Until the very end.
You tried so hard to stay with us
Your fight was all in vain
God took you to His loving home
And freed you from all pain.
Never does a day go by
That I don't think of you
A lump forms deep within my chest
And tears begin to flow.
So many times I've needed you
To talk, to share, to laugh
If love could have saved you
You never would have died.

It’s difficult to say goodbye after all this time.
The rain will fall down, replenishing all of our broken dreams.
And this burning tree that is withering will bloom again,
Would you believe?
Goodbye.
Walk away. It’s time to say goodbye.
Goodbye.
Walk away. It’s hard to say goodbye.
Now all that’s left are pictures on the walls.
Memories and stories that are told.
The more often told the bigger they get.
Create a legacy, lest we forget.
Goodbye
Walk away. It’s time to say goodbye.
No longer can I hold on to this defeated change in heart.
It’s time to sing “fare thee well” to life as we know it.
My voice it will be still.
Something woke me up in the midst up dream and fantasy;
Half way there.
But He always fills my cup.
And He lifts me up (oh how He lifts me up).
Goodbye.
Walk away. It’s time to say goodbye.
I never took the time to stop and realize that death takes
Many forms.
Even while alive.

Plankeye

41.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope!

To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve;
to you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping
in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy towards us;
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit
of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

That we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.

42.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy;
hail our life, our sweetness and
our hope

To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping
in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
your eyes of mercy towards us.
And after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit
of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.

Saint Maria Goretti--pray for us.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, Full of grace
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

44. POZDROWIENIE ANIELSKIE

Zdrowas Maryjo, laski pelna, Pan z

Toba. Blogoslawionas Ty miedzy

niewiastami i blogoslawiony owoc

zywota Twojego, Jezus. Swieta

Maryjo, Matko Boza, modl sie za nami

grzesznymi, teraz i w godzine

smierci naszej. Amen.

The candle flickers towards its last; our time together’s ended.
The evening sped so swiftly past; no richer way to spend it.
Before we head our separate ways, I’d like in truthfulness to say:
You’ve made this day a special day with songs and kindness splendid.

Chorus
Here’s to song, here’s to time, here’s to both with friends of mine.
Here’s to friends who raise their voices high.
Kings have riches widely lain, lords have land but then again,
We have friends and song no wealth can buy.

We each a different road must go, to mountain, sea, or city.
The hour has come for sweet adieus, and ah, the more’s the pity
But first unite in have and heart and sing a chorus ‘ere we part,
For every end leads to a start, we need not break so sadly.
Chorus

And till our paths in future cross, may blessings kindly greet you.
Until that time I must, alas, only in memory meet you.
But often I will sit and stare, and think upon this moment rare,
The company beyond compare; for now, farewell, and thank you.
Chorus

Words and Music by Allister MacGillivray
Performed by The Cottars

46. HIGH FLIGHT
by
John Gillespie Magee

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sun-lit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flies;
and while with silent mind I've trod,
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

48. I Said a Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today
And know that God must have heard-
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word.
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn’t mind.
I asked him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He’d be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.

Please don't sing sad songs for me,
Forget your grief and fears,
For I am in a perfect place,
Away from pain and tears...
I'm far away from hunger,
And hurt and want and pride.
I have a place in heaven,
With the Master at my side.
My life on earth was very good,
As earthly lives can go,
But Paradise is so much more
Than anyone can know...
My heart is filled with happiness,
And sweet rejoicing, too.
To walk with God is perfect peace,
A joy forever new.

50. I'll Lend You A Child
by Edgar Guest
 
I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine," He said.
For you to love - while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care or him for Me?
He'll bring his smiles to gladden you,
And should this stay be brief
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked this world over
In search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd
Life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor count the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to
Take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard then say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that come
And try to understand."

51. I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.

52.

In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade away,
You suffered much in silence,
You fought so hard to stay,
You faced your task with courage,
Though your body would not mend,
But still you kept fighting
Until the very end.

God saw you getting tired
When a cure was not to be
So He put His arms around you,
And whispered, "Come with Me"
So when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful, free from pain,
We could not wish you back
To suffer that again.

53.

Oh Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the winds, Whose breath gives life to the world, hear me. I come to you as one of your many children; I am small and weak; I need your strength and your wisdom. May I walk in beauty. Make my eyes behold the red and purple sunset; Make my hands respect the things you have made; And my ears sharp to your voice. Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children; The lessons you have written in every leaf and rock. Make me strong, not to be superior to my brothers, But to fight my greatest enemy-myself. Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes, So that when life fades, as the fading sunset, My spirit may come to you without shame.
Indian Prayer by Chief Dan George

54.

In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade away,
Our hearts were nearly broken,
You fought so hard to stay.

God looked around His garden,
And found an empty space,
Then He looked down upon the earth,
And He saw your tired face.

He put His aims around you,
And lifted you to rest,
God's garden must be beautiful,
for He only takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,
He knew that you were in pain,
He knew that you could never get well,
Upon this earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,
The hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered, "Peace Be Thine."

When we saw that you were sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain,
We could not wish you back again,
To suffer all that pain.

When I quit this mortal shore-
And mosey 'round this eath no more
Don't weep, don't sigh,
Don't grieve, don't sob;
I may have struck a better job.
Don't go and buy a large bouquet
For which you'll find it hard to pay.
Don't stand around me looking blue;
I may be better off than you!

Don't tell the folks I was a saint
Or anything you know I ain't.
If you have stuff like that to spread
Please hand it out before I'm dead.
If you have roses, bless your soul,
Just pin one on my buttonhole.
But - do it while I'm at my best
Instead of when I'm safe at rest.
- Ben L. Bear

56.

Buono onesto ed operoso
amato e stimato da tutti
lascia sulla terra
le tracce luminose
delle sue elette virtu
La moglie, i figli,
parenti ed amici
ne serbano nel cuore
il caro ricordo.

You will always be
remembered and sadly
missed by your family.

It's hard to say good-bye, Dad
we still see your smiling face,
we still hear your gentle voice,
we still feel your warm embrace.

It's hard to say good-bye, Dad
when we've just said "Welcome Home,"
when our hearts are full of pain,
and our spirits feel alone.

So we won't say 'good-bye', Dad
even though it hurts so much,
because you're still right here,
in each life that you touched

58. The Larger Circle

We clasp the hands of those that go be
And the hands of those who come af
We enter the little circle of each othe
And the larger circle of lovers, whose hands are joined
And the larger circle of all creatures,
Passing in and out of life, who move also in a dance,
To a music so subtle and vast that no ear hears it,
Except in fragments.

Wendell Berry

'Tis the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone;
No flower of her kindred,
No rose-bud is nigh,
To reflect back her blushes,
Or give sigh for sigh.

I'll not leave thee, thou lone one!
To pine on the stem;
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep thou with them.
Thus kindly I scatter
Thy leaves o'er the bed
Where thy mates of the garden
Lie scentless and dead.

So soon may I follow,
When friendships decay,
And from Love's shining circle
The gems drop away.
When true hearts lie withered,
And fond ones are flown,
O! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone?

THOMAS MOORE

When I must leave you for a little while-
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years,
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all things the same,
Feed not your loneliness on empty days,
But fill each waking hour in useful ways,
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never, never be afraid to die
For I am waiting to fly with you in the sky!

61. Lent for Awhile

"I'll lend you for a little time a child of Mine," He said,
"For you to love the while he lives, and mourn for when he's dead,
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught there I wish this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Nor will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?"

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

And should the Angels call for him much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."

Edgar Guest

Life is love - give it.
Life is a gift - accept it.
Life is a puzzle - solve it.
Life is a duty - perform it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a goal - achieve it.

Life is an adventure - dare it.
Life is an opportunity - take it.
Life is a struggle - fight it.
Life is a sorrow - overcome it.
Life is loneliness - face it.
Life is a mystery - unfold it.

Life is beauty - praise it.
Life is a song - sing it.
Life is friendship - treasure it.
Life is a promise - fulfill it.
Life is a journey - complete it

The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly
And give you peace!

64. The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that
trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen

65. Lord of the Dance

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth;
At Bethlehem I had my birth.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the dance went on.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame:
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
And they left me there on a cross to die.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone;
But I am the dance and I still go on.

Dance then wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'l lead you all in the dance, said he.

66.

To Our (name) Bear

There never was a baby

As precious and as sweet,

As huggable and loveable

From head to little feet.

Our love for you

will go on, Forever

67.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sunshine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the
palm of his hand.

68. Miss me But Let me Go

Miss Me But Let Me Go
Now that I've come to the end of the road
and the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long
and not with your head bowed low
remember the friendship that we once shared.
Miss me but let me go!
For this is a journey we must all take
and each must go alone
it's all a part of the master's plan
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
go to the friends we knew
and remember the good times that we had
and how much I loved you!
Miss me but let me go.

"When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no tears or gloom-filled room
Why cry for a Soul set free?
Miss me a little-but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love we all shared,
Miss me - but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone
It's all part of God’s Plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
See family and friends we know
Take time to heal, tho' we must part
Miss me - but let me go."

70. A Little Mixed Up

Just a line to say I’m living that I’m not among the dead.
Though I’m getting more forgetful and more mixed up in the head.
For sometimes I can’t remember when
I stand at the foot of the stairs.
If I must go up for something or If I’ve just come down from there.
And before the fridge so often my poor mind is filled with doubt,
Have I just put food away or have I come to take it out.
And there are times when its dark with my nite cap on my head
I don’t know if I’m retiring or just getting out of bed.
So if it’s my turn to write you there’s no need in getting sore
I may think that I have written and don’t want to be a bore.
So remember that I love you and I wish that you were here.
But now its nearly mail time, so I must say goodbye my dear.
There I stood before the mailbox with a face so very red.
Instead of posting you this letter, I opened it instead.

Author Unknown

Mom...
So sad it is that those we need
And those we love the best,
Are just the ones God calls away
So early home to rest.
Now memories and grief we share
When the family meets and you're not there.
What we would give if we could say:
"Hello Mom" in the same old way;
To hear your voice and see your smile
To sit with you and chat awhile.
To walk with us through life;
To keep us safe from harm and strife.
Gone are the years we used to share,
But in our hearts you're always there:
With toil worn hands and hair so grey
You're our guiding light along the way.
Wonderful Mother's love woven in gold,
This is the memory we tenderly hold.

Unknown

72. Mother

To one who bears the sweetest name,
And adds luster to the same,
Long life to her,
For there’s no other,
Who takes the place,
Of my dear Mother.

73. Mother's Hands

Mother's hands were never idle,
through the passing years,
cooking, cleaning, mending,
or drying children's tears.

With never a complaint or fuss
over endless chores to do,
She always met each morning,
with energy forever new.

Years of hard work tell a story,
now her hands are veined and blue,
stubborn fingers won't respond
to tasks they were accustomed to.

Time, quite a demanding thief,
suddenly force one to rest,
yet, for years of serving others,
I'm very sure her soul is blessed!

Theresa Bratko

74. NO FRIEND LIKE MUSIC

There is no whispering of any friend,
No solace that can touch the quivering heart
In that lone hour when a sudden end
Has captured laughter and there falls apart
A rainbow that has bridged a distant hill;
When roses shatter on the stem, and dark
Crowds out the candle’s shimmering flame and still
The night creeps on with neither torch nor spark.

No friend like music when the last word’s spoken
And every pleading is a plea in vain;
No friend like music when the heart is broken
To mend its wings and give it flight again;
No friend like music, breaking chains and bars
To let the soul march with the quiet stars!
DANIEL WHITEHEAD HICKY

75. An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

76.

There's an open gate at the end of the road
Through which each must go alone,
And there, in a light we cannot see,
Our Father claims His Own...
Beyond the gate your loved one
Finds happiness and rest,
And there is comfort in the thought
That a loving God knows best
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of the quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there...I did not die.

Padre, da cui deriva ogni amore,
e in cui ogni amore fiorisce,
ti ringraziamo per gli anni che abbiamo
cresciuto con la cara.

Manda su di lui il tuo Spirito
cosicchè ogni giorno
noi possiamo aprire in nostri cuori
alla amatissima
e in uno all’altro a te.
Stabilisci nel tuo amore,
affinchè le nostre braccia possono essere aperte
non solo a lui e a noi stessi
ma a tutti i tuoi figli e figlie--
specialmente coloro che piu hanno bisogno di noi.

Perché tu sei nostro Padre
e noi siamo tuoi figli.
In Cristo Gesù nostro Signore.

Some people
come into our lives
and quickly go.

Some stay for awhile
and leave footprints
on our hearts,
and we are never,
ever the same.
Flavia

79.

Perhaps you sent a lovely card,
Or sat quietly in a chair,
Perhaps you sent a funeral spray,
If so, we saw it there,
Perhaps you spoke the kindest words,
As any friend could say,
Perhaps you were not there at all,
Just thought of us that day,
Whatever you did to console our hearts,
We thank you so very much,
whatever the part.

80. CHWALA OJCU...

Chwala Ojcu i Synowi, i Duchowi Swietermu.
Jak byla na poczatku,
teraz i zawsze, i na wieki wieków.
Amen

81. POZDROWIENIE ANIELSKIE

Zdrowas Maryjo, laski pelna, Pan z

Toba. Blogoslawionas Ty miedzy

niewiastami i blogoslawiony owoc

zywota Twojego, Jezus. Swieta

Maryjo, Matko Boza, módl sie za

nami grzesznymi, teraz i w

godzine smierci naszej. Amen.

Ojcze nasz, którys jest w niebie. Swiec
Sie imie Twoje. Przyjdz Królestwo Twoje.
Badz wola Twoja, jako w niebie tak i na
ziemi. Chleba naszego powszedniego daj
nam dzisiaj. I odpusc nam nasze winy,
jako i my odpuszczamy naszym winowajcom.
I nie wódz nas na pokuszenie.
Ale nas zbaw ode zlego.
Amen.

W imie Ojca i Syna, i Ducha Swietego.

Amen.

Dobry Panie, uczyn z nas narzedzie Twojego pokoju!

Spraw, abysmy siali milosc, tam gdzie panuje nienawisc. Dózwól niesc wybaczenie, tam gdzie panuje krzywda. Spraw, abysmy siali jednosc, tam gdzie panuje zwatpienie. Dozwól niesc nadzieje, tam gdzie panuje rozpacz.

Spraw, abysmy niesli swiatlo, tam gdzie panuja ciemnosci. Dozwól wzbudzac radosc, tam gdzie panuje smutek.

Spraw, abysmy mogli nie tyle szukac pociechy, co pocieche dawac. Nie tyle szukac zrozumienia co innych rozumiec.
Spraw, abysmy mogli nie tyle szukac milosci, co innych milowac. Albowiem dajac – otrzymujemy.Wybaczajac–zyskujemy rzebaczenie. A umierajac rodzimy sie do wiecznego zycia, Przez Jezusa Chrystusa, Pana naszego.

85. The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in Life’s early morning,
We need them again at its close,
We feel their warm clasp of friendship,
We seek them when tasting life’s woes.

When we come to this world we are sinful,
The greatest as well as the least,
And the hands that make us pure as Angels,
Are the “Beautiful Hands of a Priest”.

At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne,
Are not equal to them in greatness,
Their “dignity” stands all alone.

For there in the stillness of morning,
Ere the sun has emerged from the East,
There, God rests between the pure fingers,
Of the “Beautiful Hands of a Priest”.

And when we are taking life’s partner,
Other hands may prepare us the feast,
But the hands that will bless and unite us,
Are the “Beautiful Hands of a Priest”.

When the death dews on our eyelids are falling,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised o’er us in Blessing,
The “Beautiful Hands of a Priest”.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host they daily caress;
What can a poor sinner do better,
Than ask Him, Who chose them to bless?

As cowboys, Lord, we don't ask for any special favors, we ask only that you let us compete in this arena, as in life’s arena. We don't ask to never break a barrier, or to draw a round of steer that's hard to throw, or a chute fighting horse, or a bull that is impossible to ride. We only ask that you help us to compete as honest as the horses we ride and in a manner as clean and pure as the wind that blows across this great land of ours.

So when we do make that last ride that is inevitable for us all to make, to that place up there, where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear, and deep -

You'll tell us as we ride in that our entry fees have been paid.

These things we ask - Amen.

87.

She is Gone

I am standing on the sea shore.
A ship spreads her white sails
to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean.
She is an object of beauty
and I stand watching her
till at last she fades on the horizon,
and someone at my side says,
"She is gone."

Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all.
The loss of sight is in me, not in her;
and just at the moment when someone says,
"She is gone,"
there are others who are watching her coming.
Other voices take up the glad shout,
"There she comes,"
and that is dying.

-Henry Scott Holand-

Prière de saint François pour la paix

Seigneur, faites de moi un instrument de
votre Paix: là où règne la haine,
laissez-moi semer l'Amour...
Là où abondent les torts, le pardon;
Là où règne doute, la foi...
Là où règne le désespoir, l'esperance.
Là où règne les ténèbres, la lumière:
Là où règne la tristesse, la joie.

O Divin Maître, accordez-moi la faveur de ne
pas tant chercher à être consolé, qu'à consoler;
à être compris, qu'à comprendre:
à être aimé qu'à aimer
car c'est en donnant, que nous recevons:
en pardonnant, que nous obtenons le pardon:
et en mourant, que nous naissons à la Vie.

89.

The things we feel so deeply
Are the hardest things to say
But we your family loved you
In a very special way
They say that memories are golden
Well that may be true
But, we never wanted memories
We only wanted you.
If tears could build a stairway
And heartaches make a lane
We’d walk the path to heaven
And bring you home again.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

90. How Do You Live Your Dash?

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
From the beginning... to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth
And spoke 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 matters 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,
That can still be rearranged.

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's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

91. The Rose Beyond the Wall

A Rose once grew
Where all could see,
Sheltered beside a garden wall
And as the days pass swiftly by,
It spread its branches straight and tall...

One day, a beam of light shone through
A crevice that had opened wide -
The rose bent gently towards its warmth
Then passed beyond, to the other side...

Now you who deeply feel its loss,
Be comforted - the rose still blooms there -
It's beauty even greater now,
Nurtured by God's own loving care.

God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be,
So he put His arms around you
and whispered "Come to Me."
With tearful eyes we watched you,
and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A Golden Heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.

93. THE SKY

The Sky, the Sky, the Beautiful Sky.
Then thoughts go back with a tear
and a sigh to the very same sky
where my comrades did die.

The Sky, the Sky, the Murderous Sky
Where death could come in the
blink of an eye.

The Sky, the Sky, near heaven so
high a home for airmen
after they die..

Jack Walter

94. The Tide Recedes

The Tide recedes
but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.

The Sun goes down
but gentle warmth
still lingers on the land.

The music stops
and yet it echos on
in sweet refrains.

For every joy
that passes
something beautiful remains.

95. THE TIME IS NOW

If you are ever going to love me,
Love me now, while I can know
The sweet and tender feelings
Which from true affection flow.

Love me now
While I am living.
Do not wait until I'm gone
And then have it chiseled in marble,
Sweet words on ice-cold stone.
If you have tender thoughts of me,
Please tell me now.
If you wait until I am sleeping,
Never to awaken,
There will be death between us,
And I don't hear you then.
So, if you love me, even a little bit,
Let me know it while I am living.
So I can treasure it.

(Author unkown)

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me;
I may not choose to colors, he knows what that should be,
For he can view the pattern upon the upper side
While I can see it only on this, the under side.

Sometimes he weaveth sorrow, which seemeth strange to me,
But I will trust his judgement, and work on faithfully.
‘Tis he who fills the shuttle he knows just what is best
So I shall weave in earnest and leave with him the rest

Not ‘ti the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful on the weavers skilful hand
As the treads of gold and silver in the pattern he has planned.
To have lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
To have gained the respect of intelligent men
And the love of children;
To have filled a niche
and accomplished a task;
To have left the world better
Whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a reused soul;
To have appreciated earth’s beauty
and not failed to express it;
To have looked for the best in others
and to have given the best of yourself.
That is achievement.
From Robert Louis Stevenson’s
“Achievements”

To Those I Love and
Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave to you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I travelled on alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust,
It's only for a time that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see me or touch me,
I'll be near. And if you listen with your heart,
You'll hear all my love around you, soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home".

Death is nothing at all - I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before - only better, infinitely happier and forever - we will be all one together with Christ.

And tomorrow the sun will shine again,
and on the path that I shall take
it will unite us, lucky ones, again
amid this sun-breathing earth.

And to the beach, broad and blue-waved,
we shall climb down, quiet and slow.
Speechless we shall gaze in each other's eyes,
and the speechless silence of happiness will fall on us.

100. The Watcher

She always leaned to watch for us,
Anxious if we were late,
In Winter by the window,
In Summer by the gate;

And though we mocked her tenderly,
Who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never would forget!
And so we think where she is
She must be watching yet;

Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late,
Watching from Heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.

Margaret Widdemer

101.

If we did not go to sleep at night,
We'd never awaken to see the light
Or meet the dawn by some quiet lake
With the joy of watching a new day break -
And death, too is a time of sleeping,
For those who are gone are in God's keeping -
There is a sunrise for each soul,
For life - not death - is God's promised goal.
So trust God's promise and doubt Him never,
For only through death can we live forever!

- Helen Steiner Rice -

We will remember her
in our hearts,
and see her
in our dreams.
She is forever with us.

We watched you suffer, we watched you sigh,
But all we could do, was just stand by.
When the time came, we suffered too,
For you never deserved what
you went through.

God took your hand and we had to part.
He eased your pain, but broke our hearts.
If you could have spoken, before you died,
"This life for me, has truly passed,
I have loved you all, 'till the very last.

Weep not for me, but courage take,
And love one another for my sake."

104.

A meeting was held quite far from earth;
It’s time again for another birth.
Said the angels to the Lord above,
“This special child will need much love.

He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won’t adapt,
And soon he’ll be known as handicapped.

So let’s be careful where he’s sent;
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they’re asked to play;
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they’ll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from heaven;
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is heaven’s very special child.”