When I Am Gone

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 too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.

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

-Author unknown

We Are Not Alone

We are touched by Angels,
Walk where angels tread.
They will guard and guide us,
Through the days ahead.
In times of sorrow,
As in the days of joy,
They bring us hope and comfort,
Nothing can destroy.
In the hours of darkness,
When our dreams have flown.
They bring us peace and healing.
We are not alone.
Through times of doubting,
Still they understand.
We are touched by angels,
Walking hand in hand.

-Unknown

He Is Gone

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray
that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see
all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty
because you can't see him
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 him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty
and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

–David Harkins

I'm Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now, I’m free
I’m following the path God has laid, you see.
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, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh 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 hearts, and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free.

-Author Unknown

The Chains That Bind

Cast away the chains that bind
Free the essence of your mind
Find the strength within your heart
To hold the love while we're apart
Ask not why it must be so
There's so much time, so much to know
Believe with your heart and not your mind
There's so much out there you will find
Trust the thoughts you don't believe
The truth that's there will not deceive
Things aren't what you thought they'd be
We're out of place, but wait and see
The time is soon to dream again
And reminisce about what's been
For in your mind you'll find a land
Where we're together, hand in hand

-Author unknown

A Wonderful Mother

We had a wonderful mother,
One who never really grew old;
Her smile was made of sunshine,
And her heart was solid gold;
Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in her cheeks fair roses, you see.
We had a wonderful mother,
And that’s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because
She’s still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let’s make sure
She will like what she sees.

-Unknown Author

Life Is But A Stopping Place

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some, the journey's quicker,
For some, the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord.

–Author unknown

Remembering Me

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 the beautiful sea, remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest,
And in 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 battle we fought, and the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me,
I will never have gone.

-Anonymous

Broken Chain

We little knew the day that
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
But you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.
Your love is still our guide,
And though 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.

-Ron Tranmer