Spiritual

There is not in this wide world a valley so sweet 
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet!
Oh the last rays of feeling and life must depart
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart

Thomas Moore

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 in 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 awhile for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
 
It's only for a while 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 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 a
‘WELCOME HOME'.

To have and to hold, and then to part,
Is the greatest sorrow of a broken heart.
Too young to die, too precious to lose,
We had no choice, we couldn't choose.
In thoughts we see you just the same,
With love and pride we speak your name,
You are never more than a thought away;
We love and remember you every day.
Every flower and leaf may wither,
Each evening sun may set
The hearts that loved and lost
Are the ones that will never forget.
I try so hard to hide,
Some people say as time goes by
The heartache will subside.
But the feelings in our hearts today
Are the same as the day you died.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
Your parting caused such pain
But the greatest day has yet to come,
When we will meet again.

Time for me to go now, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
 
Time for me to leave you, I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I’ll be close to you.
 
It won’t be forever, the day will come and then
My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.
 
Time for us to part now, we won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
 
Just wish me to be near you,
And I’ll be there with you.
 
Vicki Brown

A loved one never leaves you,
They're never far away.
They watch you from a distance
And guide you every day.
They do become your angel
And look down from above.
A loved one never leaves you
Because you always have their love.

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 you 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.  

To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot speak, but I can listen,
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon the shore,
Gazing at a beautiful sea, remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And its grand majesty, remember me
Remember me in your hearts,
In your thoughts, and the memories of
The times we loved, the times we cried,
The battles we fought and the times we laughed
For if you always think of me,
I will have never gone.

Anon

They say there is a reason.
They say that time will heal,
But neither time or reason,
Will change the way we feel.
 
For no one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried.
 
We want to tell you something,
So there won’t be any doubt,
You’re so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to do without.
 
There is no night without a dawning,
No Winter without a Spring,
And beyond death’s dark horizon,
Our hearts once more will sing.
 
For those who leave us for a while,
Have only gone away
Out of a restless careworn world,
Into a “Brighter day”.

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.
 
We miss your smile, your joking ways,
We miss the things you used to say.
And when old times we do recall,
It’s then we miss you most of all.

Now I am contented,
That my life it was worthwhile,
Knowing as I passed along the way,
I made somebody smile.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam

We miss your smile, your joking ways,
We miss the things you used to say.
And when old times we do recall,
It’s then we miss you most of all.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

- Mother Theresa -  

I am writing this from Heaven,
Where I dwell with God above,
Where there’s no more tears or sadness,
There is just eternal love.
 
The day I had to leave you,
When my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me,
And said ‘I welcome you’.
 
Please do not be unhappy,
Just because I’m out of sight.
Remember that I’m with you,
Every morning, noon and night.
 
But one thing is for certain,
Though my life on earth is over,
I am closer to you now,
Than I ever was before.
 
When you are walking down the street,
And you’ve got me on your mind,
I’m walking in your footsteps,
Only half a step behind.
 
And when you feel that gentle breeze,
Or the wind upon your face,
That’s me giving you a great big hug,
Or just a soft embrace.

I'd like the memory of me,
To be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after-glow,
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,
When life is done.

Beannachtaí libh go bhfeictear arís sibh

Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad

When tomorrow starts without me
and I'm not here to see...
If the sun should rise and find your eyes filled with tears.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today...
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you...
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me, too.
But when tomorow starts without me, please try and understand...
An angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.
He said my place was ready, in Heaven far above...
And that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart...
For every time you think of me I'm right here in your heart.

Fold him O Jesus in Thine arms, and let him henceforth be a messenger of love between our human hearts and Thee.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Don’t remember me with sadness,
Don’t remember me with tears;
Remember all the laughter
We’ve had throughout the years.
 
Then when the summer sunshine
Awakes the flowers in bloom,
I’ll walk that light from Heaven,
Around the corners of every room.
 
Do the things we did before,
The same in every way;
Just whisper a little prayer to me,
At the dawn of every day.
 
Just think of me as present,
Don’t think of me as past;
For my love is a blessing
In death it still can last.
 
Forget your troubles and your worries,
They are mine for ever more;
I’ll watch and care and love you,
From Heaven’s open door.
 
And when your road gets rough and rocky,
Or you’re down and need a crutch;
Remember I’m right beside you,
Just an inch too short to touch.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

Loving memories never die
As years roll on and days pass by
In our hearts a memory is kept
Of one we loved
And will never forget.

Author Unknown

You will always be a part of us,
Always in our hearts
Even with the passing of time,
We'll never really be apart
You've just moved on ahead      of us,
To find out what is there
When our time comes to join you
There'll be more good times to share
 
So till we meet again my friend,
Sparkle like the star you are
Sparkle for us so brightly,
That we can see you near or far
You see our words cannot express,
All the love we have for you inside
And the pain we feel now you're not here
Just won't seem to subside
 
We know the memories of good times
Will eventually win through
Laughs and happy times we shared
Will be there when we think of you
In time only tears of laughter will be running down our face
A gentle, kind, sincere man a friend no-one can replace
 
Clare Morris

May tender memories
Soften our grief,
May fond recollection
Bring us relief,
And may we find comfort
and peace in the thought
Of the joy that knowing
Our loved one brought,
For time and space
Can never divide,
Or keep our loved one
From our side
When memory paints
In colours true,
The happy hours
We spent with you.

May there always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your window pane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
Their hearts full of warmth and gladness to cheer you.

Going home, going home,
I'm going home.
Quiet like some still day,
I'm just going home.
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door.
Work all done, care laid by,
Going to fear no more.
Mother's there expecting me,
Father's waiting too;
Lots of folk gathered there,
All the friends I knew.
Morning star lights the way;
Restless dreams all done;
Shadows gone, break of day,
Real life just begun.
There's no break, there's no end,
Just living on.
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on.
Going home, going home
I'm just going home.
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I'm just going home.

No matter how life changes
No matter what we do
A special place within our hearts
Is always kept for you.

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.

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 for you in the sky!

Good was your heart in friendship sound,


Loved and respected by all around,


A beautiful life came to an end,


You died as you lived, everyone’s friend.

 



You left us oh so suddenly,


We could only weep and cry,


But the hardest part of all was,


We never said goodbye.

 



We cannot bring the old days back,


When we were all together,


But fond and loving thoughts of you,


Will be with us forever.

 



The happy hours we once enjoyed,


How sweet their memory still,


But death has left a vacant place,


This world can never fill.

 



Each time we look at your picture,


You seem to smile and say,


Don’t be sad but courage take,


And love each other for my sake.

 



We think of you in silence,


And often speak your name,


All we have are memories,


And your photo in a frame.

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the rain fall soft upon your fields,

And may the sun shine warm upon your face,

Until we meet again.

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have is yours.
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
 
A sleep I shall have,
A rest I shall have.
Yet death will be but a pause;
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours
And yours.
 
Leo Marks 1943

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 lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

These things, I warmly wish for you-
Someone to love, some work to do,
A bit of o’ sun, a bit o’ cheer.
And a guardian angel always near.

A mother’s love is special,
A gift beyond compare,
You only know the meaning,
When she is no longer there.

Forever remembered,
 Forever missed.

May you alway walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their
wings right beside your door.

Your gentle face and patient smile.
With sadness we recall
you had a kindly word for each
and died beloved by all.
The voice is mute and stilled
the heart that loved us well and true.
Ah, bitter was the trial to part
from one so good as you.
You are not forgotten loved one
nor will you ever be as long as life
and memory last we will remember thee.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
as time goes by we miss you more,
your loving smile, your gentle face
no one can fill your vacant place.

For each petal on the shamrock.
This brings a wish your way
good health, good luck, and happiness
for today and every day.

Remembering:
is the touch of a hand, the warmth of a smile, that little word " Hello"

Remembering:
is in glad times and in bad times; in quiet hours together and telephone calls

Remembering:
is in friendship and thoughtfulness and in the hearts of very special people

~ people like you

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 awaken in the morning hush,
I am the uplifting rush
Of quiet birds’ encircled flight;
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

It's love alone that counts, love alone that triumphs and love alone endures

Whenever there is happiness
Hope you’ll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they’ll smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine,
Hope it shine especially for you
to make each day for you
as bright as it can be.

Beautiful things in this life
are manifold tis true,
we count the stars by thousands,
the birds and flowers, too;
The sunsets and dawnings,
rare beauties far and near,
but all the wide world over,
there’s just one “Mother Dear.”

Behind the stars in the sky
In the heavens up above
Dad’s car starting up
Us two angels in the front
 
As we move up through the gears
Just smiles and love, no tears
Life’s worries have all gone
Just quality time for a father and his son
 
As heaven is all around us
Johnny Cash sings our favourite songs
No rush, no time, no deadlines
We’re back where we belong
 
We laugh and talk of old times
And how special they have been
The view from here in heaven
Is like nothing we’ve ever seen
 
And although we miss our loved ones
We’ll pray to keep you strong
And we’ll wait at heaven’s gates
For when you come along

Don’t think of her (him) as gone away,
Her (His) journey’s just begun,
Life holds so many facets,
This earth is only one.
Just think of her (him) as resting,
From the sorrows and the tears,
In a place of warmth and comfort,
Where there are no days or years.
Think how she (he) must be wishing,
That we could know today,
How nothing but our sadness,
Can really pass away.
And think of her (him) as living,
In the hearts of those she (he) touched,
For nothing loved is ever lost,
And she (he) was loved so much.

Distance takes us far apart
And darkness marks my today
I have to keep remembering
You’re just a thought away
When the world is too confusing
And times are hard to bear
I pull your precious meaning
Your bright spirit from the air
If I sometimes drift into
A lonely state of mind
I gather up the memories
Of days we left behind
And though you’re not beside me
I can tap into my heart
And draw upon the warmth and love
That lives when we’re apart
And with these fond reflections
On the times when you were near
I sense a little bit of what it’s
like to have you here.

Remember me whenever you see a sunrise.
Remember me whenever you see a star.
Remember me whenever you see a rainbow,
or woods in Autumn colors from afar.
Remember me whenever you see roses,
or seagulls sailing high in a sky of blue.
Remember me whenever you see waves
shining in the sun. Remember me and
I’ll be remembering you! Remember me
whenever you see a teardrop or meadows
still wet with morning dew. Remember
me when you feel love growing in your
heart and remember I’ll be remembering
you!

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
 
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
 
(Wordsworth)

There is always a face before us,
A voice we would love to hear,
A smile we will always remember,
Of a daughter we loved so dear.
 
To us she was someone special,
Someone set apart,
And her memory will live forever,
Engraved within our hearts.

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

May you live a long life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of you wealth.
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun.
And find your shoulder to light on.
To bring you luck, happiness and riches.
Today, tomorrow and beyond.

A silent thought, a silent tear,
Always wishing you were here,
Life goes on, we know that’s true,
But it’s not been the same,
Since losing you.

A rose once grew,
Where all could see,
Sheltered beside a garden wall,
And, as the days passed
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
Toward its warmth
Then passed beyond
To the other side….
 
Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
Be comforted -
The rose blooms there -
Its beauty even greater now,
Nurtured by God’s
Own loving care.

If I should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For I have left my heart with you,
So don't you ever cry.
The love that's deep within me,
Shall reach you from the stars,
You'll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.

Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,
far as long as there is memory,
they'll live on in the heart.

When those we love go away, they never really leave us; they are with us now, wherever we are. Those whom we have cherished, live on forever, for love wraps itself around the heart. Although it’s difficult now, someday beyond our tears and all the world’s wrongs; beyond the clouds and all that we can see and touch, we shall all understand.

Never say goodbye to love,
And let it pass away,
And always hold me in your heart,
And think of me each day.
For my love is always with you
From now until the end,
For moments shared will never die,
And true love shall transcend.
 
by Keith Michael Phelan

Another leaf has fallen,
another soul has gone.
But still we have God's promises,
in every robin's song.
For he is in His heaven,
and though He takes away,
He always leaves to mortals,
the bright sun's kindly ray.
He leaves the fragrant blossoms,
and lovely forest, green.
And gives us new found comfort,
when we on Him will lean.

How often has a flower,
Or a crystal summer sky,
Brought golden reflections,
Of happy times gone by!

For how often does a sunset,
Bring nostalgic thought to mind,
Of moments that our
loved one shared,
In days now left behind.

Distance takes us far apart
And darkness marks my today
I have to keep remembering
You’re just a thought away
When the world is too confusing
And times are hard to bear
I pull your precious meaning
Your bright spirit from the air
If I sometimes drift into
A lonely state of mind
I gather up the memories
Of days we left behind
And though you’re not beside me
I can tap into my heart
And draw upon the warmth and love
That lives when we’re apart
And with these fond reflections
On the times when you were near
I sense a little bit of what it’s
like to have you here.

They are not gone these loved ones
Whom we mourn;
We must not think of them
As far away,
Unto a fuller life they have been born,
Laying aside the vesture of this clay.
Yet near us still they watch and
Love and know;
We are the blind ones,
Who no longer see,
Beloved forms that softly
Come and go,
Waiting reunion in eternity.

Yes, memory has a magic way,
Of keeping loved ones near,
Ever close in mind and heart,
Are the ones we hold most dear.

The world may never notice
If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,
Or even pause to wonder
If the petals fall too soon.
But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be,
Touches the world
in some small way
For all eternity.
~Author Unknown

In the hearts of those who loved you,
 you will always be there.

As you were you will always be,
 treasured forever in our memory.

Always in our thoughts,
Forever in our hearts.

Gone yet not forgotten, although we are apart,
Your spirit lives within me, Forever in my heart.

Mothers plant the seeds of love that bloom forever.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

I expect to pass through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do,
Or any kindness that I can show to
Any fellow creature,
Let me do it now . . .
For I shall not pass this way again.

You cared for us when we were small,
Watched over us as we grew tall,
You shared our joys, you dried our tears,
Thank you Daddy for those precious years.

Take flight, dear Giant,
Over rocks poisoned with sea,
Through sand hardened with hail,
Leave your worries with me.

Your brothers and sisters too old,
To have conquered such a gale,
Overcome the roaring rain,
And the winds that wail.

They say your ship had sank,
And we cried out your name,
For a glimpse of a fading face,
And a voice that sounds the same.

Pauric Keenan

There is a home that lies beyond,
And past its golden door,
Awaits the one who’s now away,
Not lost, just gone before.

And in that home that lies beyond,
The Master will prepare,
A place for you, and when He calls,
You’ll meet your loved one there.

Your face is always before me,
Your voice I will never forget,
Your smile will linger forever,
In my memories I see you yet.
 
Your voice keeps whispering gently,
“Dear one be brave and true,
At the end of life there’s sunshine,
I’ll be watching and waiting for you”.

I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.

There’s a tear in your eye, And I’m wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow’r in your smile, Sure a stone you’d beguile,
So there’s never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter’s Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, ‘tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet’s sweet song, Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life Is the sweetest of all
There is ne’er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours Throughout all of youth’s hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

I keep in my heart the love of the past,
 for there it was planted forever to last.

When I am gone
In hearts and prayers
I will live on
Be strong, be brave
And dry your tears
Remember all
Our happy years

Author Unknown

In memory of our furry friend.

In memory of our cuddly companion.

To a dog so affectionate and loyal.

Your presence I miss,
 your memory I treasure, loving you always,
 forgetting you never.

A cuddly companion forever remembered.

To our cherished pet and companion.

Forever in our hearts we remember our furry friend.

A loyal friend forever remembered.

Sad are the hearts that love you,
Silent the tears that fall.
Living our lives without you,
Is the saddest part of all.

The morning breezes chill,
Now close our joyous scene,
But yet we linger still,
Where we've so happy been.
How blessed were it to live,
With hearts like ours so light,
Who only part to give,
A long and last goodnight

Eileen O'Shea 1948

Your presence we miss,
Your memories we treasure,
We'll love you always,
Forget you never

Forever in our hearts,
Our furry friend
To make heaven perfect
For those adored,
God made sure those
Pearly Gates contained a kitty door
Forever in our hearts,
We remember our furry friend
Although she is gone,
Their love will last our lifetime
Cats come into our lives,
And leave paw prints on our hearts

Author Unknown

In loving memory of a faithful friend and companion.

I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
Her gentle head upon my knee
And share her silent thoughts with me.
She'll come no longer to my call,
Retrieve no more her favorite ball
A voice far greater than my own
Has called her to His golden throne.
Though my eyes are filled with tears
I thank Him for the happy years
He let her spend down here with me,
And for her love and loyalty.

Author Unknown

A Dog is loved,
Missed, and remembered.
The loss is shared.
With remembrance of our
Cherished companion
With remembrance
Of a dog so loving and loyal
A loyal companion
And part of the family,
You will be missed
A best friend
And a lovely member of the family,
You will be missed
Forever in our hearts
Our furry friend

Author Unknown

Your smile has gone forever,
 and your hand we cannot touch.
 We have so many memories,
 of you, Dad, we loved so much.

An understanding heart,
 an intelligent mind,
 we miss you Dad,
 You were one of a kind.

Always a smile, instead of a frown, 
always a hand, when one is down.
 Always true, thoughtful and kind,
 wonderful memories she left behind.

May you find comfort
In remembering your special friend
May time heal your heart,
And memories comfort your soul.
May special memories
Bring us comfort now and always
May fond memories of
Your beloved pet/dog/cat warm your hearts
Our perfect companions
Never have fewer than four feet
So many steps we took together,
Forever loved

Author Unknown

His life earnest, his actions kind,
 a willing hand, an active mind.
 A loving brother and faithful friend.

Over in Killarney
Many years ago,
Me Mither sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good ould Irish way,
And l’d give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.

    “Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
    Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don’t you cry!
    Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
    Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that’s an Irish lullaby.”

Oft in dreams I wander
To that cot again,
I feel her arms a-huggin’ me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a -hummin’
To me as in days of yore,
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door.

Time cannot steal the treasures
that we carry in our hearts.
Nor ever dim the shining thoughts
our cherished past imparts
For the memories of the ones
we loved still cast a gentle glow,
To grace our days and light
our paths, wherever we may go.
~Author Unknown

I wish you enough sun
to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain
to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness
to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain
so that the smallest joys
in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain
to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss
to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough “Hello’s”
to get you through the final
“Goodbye

As I roved by the dockside one evening so fair
To view the salt waters and take in the salt air
I heard an old fisherman singing a song
Oh, take me away boys me time is not long

    Wrap me up in me oilskin and blankets
    No more on the docks I’ll be seen
    Just tell me old shipmates, I’m taking a trip mates
    And I’ll see you someday on Fiddlers Green

Now Fiddler’s Green is a place I’ve heard tell
Where the fishermen go if they don’t go to hell
Where the weather is fair and the dolphins do play
And the cold coast of Greenland is far, far away

Now when you’re in dock and the long trip is through
There’s pubs and there’s clubs and there’s lassies there too
And the girls are all pretty and the beer is all free
And there’s bottles of rum growing on every tree.

Where the skies are all clear and there’s never a gail
And the fish jump on board with one swish on their tail
Where you lie at your leisure, there’s no work to do
And the skipper’s below making tea for the crew

Now I don’t want a harp nor a halo, not me
Just give me a breeze and a good rolling sea
I’ll play me old squeeze-box as we sail along
With the wind in the riggin to sing me a song

Day is done, gone the sun,
from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
safely rest, all is well.
Fading light dims the sight,
and a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright from afar,
drawing nigh, falls the night.
Dear one, rest!

A garden of beautiful memories,
 sprayed with a million tears.

No person is ever truly alone.
Those who live no more,
Whom we loved,
Echo still within our thoughts,
Our words, our hearts.
And what they did,
And who they were,
Becomes a part of all that we are, forever.

By Richard Fife

To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of the intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know that one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded.

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

As sunlight shines through window pane
To that familar spot on the floor
The place where you used to lie
But now you are no more
Our feet would walk together
Down our routine trail
So joyous were those times of ours
As you wagged your tail
But now those times of fun have gone
And in my heart you'll stay
I will cherish our memories
Until we meet again some day

 ~Anonymous

Perhaps they are not stars,
but rather openings in heaven
where the love of our lost ones
pours through and shines
down upon us to let us know
they are happy.
-Inuit Proverb

What is this life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep, or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
 
William Henry Davies 1871 - 1940

A Little Step Away
To close the eye, to fall asleep,
to draw a labored breath,
to find release from daily cares
in what we know as death–
Is this the crowning of life,
the aim or end thereof?
The totaled sum of consciousness,
the ripened fruit of love?
It cannot be, for works of God
are wrought for nobler ends,
and those away continue on
in the hearts of kin and friends.
It cannot be, for they live on
a little step away, the soul,
the everlasting life,
has found a better day.

Don’t cry for me please don’t be sad
Hold on to the memories of the times we both had
Don’t dwell on dark thoughts hold on tight to your wishes
Sending you hugs and butterfly kisses.
 
I walk beside you I am there all day long
I am right here but you think I am gone
You don’t see me but I can see you
What ever the problems I will help get you through
 
I am the wind in your hair the sand in your toes
Butterfly kisses that you feel on your nose
I am with you at sunrise and in sunset
But you can’t see me is my one regret.
 
I sit right beside you when you are sad
As you look through the photos of times we both had
I watch you sleeping I hold you so tight
Before I go I kiss you goodnight.
 
I will watch over you from heaven above
Forever you will be my one true love
Hold on to your dreams and all your wishes
Sending you hugs and butterfly kisses.