This was sent to me by my SIL. She lost her DH 4 years ago and is just now coming out of the dark. Thought this was beautiful...


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!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

'The King of Terrors', a sermon on death delivered in St Paul's Cathedral on Whitsunday 1910, while the body of King Edward VII was lying in state at Westminster:
published in Facts of the Faith, 1919

I have copied this and am sharing it with the widow/widower group of my church. It is the best thing I have ever read on death. Thank you so much Browser57...

Perfect for this topic. Thanks for sharing.

browser57,
That is an awesome poem! Thank you!

I read that again and thought of what depth they had almost
a hundred years ago. Heaven looks awfully appealing sometimes!
There's much heartache and sadness on earth. But on the other
hand, there's much beauty and love and warmth, too.

Just checking in. This is where I left off so it seems appropriate. I am fishing and renewing my body and spirit. An overhaul of sorts. Up early and going to bed early. Quiet time in the morning with God and nature. Life is good. See you all when I return. Hope everyone is doing well.

Don't let anyone steal your joy.
Love
Andria

Chick....miss you. Can't wait to have you for a neighbor...even if it is in the next state!

Browser, I couldn't bring myself to comment on the poem that you posted before. When I read it, I was still marking the second anniversary of my brother's passing. We used this poem at his funeral, and printed it off on cards with his picture for everyone to take home. When I read it here, it was like a confirmation that he wasn't really gone very far. But i couldn't respond then because, well, I was just too sad to say anything at the time. But thank you so much for posting it. It meant a lot to me to read it that particular day.

And Chick, it's always a joy to see you and hear your voice here. You came to mind the other day when the History channel had a special on Capt Bob Bartlett. You surely are my Newfie kindred spirit, anytime I see anything about The Rock, you come to mind and heart!

chick, sounds awesome. Good for you to take care of yoruself.

Eagle, I can't believe it's been two years since your brother passed. Good Lord - time flies. Hoping time continues to heal your wounds. Anniversaries of deaths can be hard.