To live in the hearts of those who love you is never to die.
(Author Unknown)


Those who loved her lost so much at her passing
yet gained so much from her living.
(Author Unknown)


We have been left with a treasure of memories.
(Author Unknown)


Life is not measured by the breaths you take
But by the moments that take your breath away.
(Author Unknown)

The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
(by Reinhold Niebuhr)


Those we love don't go away
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard, but always near
Still loved, still missed, still very dear.
(Author Unknown)


When I die and leave behind
this earth I love, these trees, this sky
the pounding sea, the yearly hope of spring...
Cry not for me, Rejoice!
My soul has wings and in it's freedom sings.
(Author Unknown)


The Song of Memory
When someone we love passes on beyond life in the world that we know and is gone,
A beautiful sense of their presence, like music remembered by heart, lingers on….
When someone we love finds a wonderful home in a world only faith can reveal,
Our memories can be like a song in the heart, with the power to comfort and heal.
(Author Unknown)


  Something Beautiful Remains
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 echoes
on in sweet refrains.....
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains.


 If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower, nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must, parting is hell
But life goes on, so sing as well.
(by Joyce Grenfell)

 I will 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 down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide 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 think the labour vain.
Nor hate me when I come
To take him home again?
I fancied that I heard them say
'Dear Lord, Thy will be done!'
For all the joys 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 comes
And try to understand.

Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
I'm really still there inside your mind


Don’t cry for me now I'm gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear


Don’t think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer old
I'm in that place that’s filled with love
Known to you all, as "up above"

For everything there is a season...
a time for every occupation under heaven
a time to be born, a time to die
a time for planting, a time for uprooting
a time for tears, a time for laughter
a time for mourning, a time for dancing
a time for searching, a time for losing
a time for conflict, and a time for peace.


  There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways
of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun
of happy memories that I leave behind when day is done.

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 thou’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crosst the bar

Dear friends I go, but do not weep
I've lived my life, so full and deep
Throughout my life, I gave my best
I earned my keep, I've earned my rest
I never tried to be great or grand
I tried to be a helping hand.

If I helped in a team, if I helped on my own
It was more than repaid by good family and friends I have known.
And if I went the extra mile, I did it with pleasure
It was all worthwhile.

If I brightened your path, then let it be
A small contribution from my loved ones and me,
Now sadly I leave you and travel alone
Through a mystic veil to the great unknown.

With such beautiful memories
That will forever be the way that I hope
You'll remember me.

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am 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 
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!


Shortened Version:

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still ......
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval.
Somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.

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 glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead,
Put crépe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song,
I thought that love would last forever: 'I was wrong'

The stars are not wanted now, put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

If it seems that I am far away on this empty and solemn day
Just open your heart and know it’s true
that I am still right here with you.
If during the day things are going wrong
please don’t feel sad and alone.
Just open your heart and know it’s true
that I am still right here with you.
When night time falls and the day is done
If you are feeling alone and sleep won’t come
Just open your heart and know it’s true
that I am still right here with you.
Close your eyes, and feel the warm embrace
Sleep peacefully in the wings of grace
If sadness finds you in the morning light
if you feel alone, don’t give up trying
Hold this feather close and know it’s true
that I am always here with you.

I will wait for you...
Though we never had a chance to say goodbye,
Remember me...
When winter snows are falling through a quiet sky
I'll remember you
When, in our darkest hour,
You held my hand and prayed I wouldn't go,
but a silent voice called out to me;
My time had come, and I had to travel Home...
Since then, I know your life has never been the same,
For I visit you each day:
So many times I've felt your pain:
I've watched you cry:
And I've heard you call my name...
But now, further along life's road I stand
In a timeless world, just beyond your sight,
but waiting for the day when I can take your hand
 and bring you across to this Land of Golden Light...
Till then, remember me, you understand - and try not to cry.
But if you do:
Let your tears fall
For the happiness and joy we knew,
And for the special love we shared,
For love can never die.

If only life could just stand still
At some appropriate time,
When every day is fragrant and bright
And the sun seems to shine all the time.
But life cannot stand still, and to live we must
Have our share of its heartaches and fears,
For we never could help another's sad heart
If we hadn't known tears through the years.

If tears could build a stairway
and thoughts a memory lane
I'd walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again
No farewell words were spoken
No time to say good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.

My heart's still active in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store

Since you'll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you'll always stay

God knows why, with chilling touch
Death gathers those we love so much
And what now seems so strange and dim
Will all be clear, when we meet Him
I Knew you for a Moment

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 place 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 to 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.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our 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.

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm on your face
The rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

A life well lived is a precious gift,
of hope and strength and grace,
from someone who has made our world
a brighter, better place.

It's filled with moments, sweet and sad
with smiles and sometimes tears,
with friendships formed and good times shared,
and laughter through the years.

A life well lived is a legacy,
of joy and pride and pleasure,
a living, lasting memory
our grateful heart's will treasure.

When I 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 for long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.

For this journey that we all must 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 at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.

No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Then you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot
If thinking on me then should make you woe
O, if, I say, you look upon this verse
When I perhaps compounded am with clay
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse
But let your love even with my life decay
Lest the wise world should look into your moan
And mock you with me after I am gone

Think of me as one at rest
for me you should not weep
I have no pain no troubled thoughts
for I am just asleep.

The living thinking me that was
is now forever still
And life goes on without me now
as time forever will.

If your heart is heavy now
because I've gone away
Dwell not long upon it friend
For none of us can stay.

Those of you who liked me
I sincerely thank you all
And those of you who loved me
I thank you most of all.

And in my fleeting lifespan
as time went rushing by
I found some time to hesitate
to laugh, to love, to cry.

Matters it now if time began
If time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all
and now I am at peace.

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can go no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
 
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.  

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she would want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.

(This modified version is based on an original poem by David Harkins called "Remember Me")

 Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,
hear the music before your song is over.

 
Someone so dearly loved
So popular with his friends
we should not cry forever
for this is not the end.

His memory lives amongst us
Times we both laughed and cried
I cannot bare to lose him
But one day, we all must die.

I hear his voice within me
and his funny little laugh
So many things remind me
Of times that are now gone past.

I knew of no-one who hated him
He was the apple of every eye
Any conflicts, we all once had
are now by the by.

Take time to gaze at a sunset sky
Where colours blaze to dazzle the eye.
Take time to watch a moonlit sea
And look in awe at a towering tree.
Take time to look in the heart of a flower
Adorned with diamonds from a gentle shower.
Take time to view a mountain high
With snowy peak ‘gainst bluest sky.
Take time to listen to the song of birds -
A paean of joy without need of words.
Take time to tell your closest friend
You love and loyalty will never end.
Take time to stop and stand and stare
At wonders round you everywhere.
Take time to make time -
For all too soon there is no more time.

We little knew that day,
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death, we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

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

He noted that first came the date of her 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 she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
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 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?

© 1996 Linda Ellis

www.lindaellis.net

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.
(Psalm 23)

Not how did he die, but how did he live?
Not what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.

I know, my love,
The time has come
To finally let you go.
I know you're gone,
I must move on
To walk this lonely road.
And yet it seems
You're still with me
Each movement that I make -
A guiding light,
Still burning bright
With each step that I take.

I can't forget,
I won't regret
The moments that we shared.
Your gentle face,
The loving ways
That showed how much you cared.
Right from the start,
You touched my heart,
You opened up my eyes.
You helped me see
What I could be,
That I could reach the skies.

Now I still find
You're on my mind,
Though you're so far away.
I know it's wrong,
I can't hold on,
It's time to find my way -
Without your love
To lift me up,
Sometimes it's hard to face.
But in my dreams
You're still with me,
A part I can't erase.

With each new day,
It doesn't fade,
It's lonely with you gone.
Memories
Keep haunting me,
And yet I must move on.
Perhaps in time
Someday I'll find
It doesn't hurt so much.
But I know now
Without a doubt,
I won't forget your love.

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness
I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It is only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories in your heart

I will not be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear

Then, when you must come this way alone
I will greet you with a smile and welcome home

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 cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near
And never never be afraid to die
For I am waiting for you in the sky

Realizing my innermost fears
Choking back the steady stream of tears
Not knowing your time had come
Without you I feel so numb

Just a whisper in the breeze
Brought my world down to its knees
The day that you were called away
Paradise is where you now stay

When the days do come to pass
I'll call upon your bed of grass
Comfort inside knowing you're there
Looking up at my vacant stare

The silence I exchange with thee
Speaks volumes, I'm sure this you'll see
My shadow it casts across your grave
While I stand so lonely, I stand so brave

Now the days they seem so long
In my arms is where you belong
I close my eyes and hear you speak
You call my name, my legs grow weak

Together we promised that we would grow old
We thought our happiness would never unfold
I'll kneel at your feet with my head hung low
Thoughts in my mind, which you already know

This quality time with you I spend
Will hopefully help my broken heart mend
Feeling guilty when I turn to leave
Returning home, I continue to grieve

When my term approaches death
Time to exhale one final breath
I wonder if others will fall to their knees
When my name whispers in the breeze


Copyright Greg McVicker 2001. All Rights Reserved.