A Mother’s love is something

that no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendored miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God’s tender guiding hand.

I little knew that morning. God was going to call your name,

In life I loved you dearly, in death I do the same.

It broke my heart to lose you, you did not go alone,

For part of me went with you, the day God called you home.

You left me beautiful memories your love is still my guide,

And though we cannot see you, you're always at my side.

Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. 

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

Feel no guilt in laughter, 

He’d know how much you care. 

Feel no sorrow in a smile 

That he is not here to share. 

You cannot grieve forever; 

He would not want you to. 

He’d hope that you could carry on 

The way you always do. 

So, talk about the good times 

And the way you showed you cared, 

The days you spent together, 

All the happiness you shared. 

Let memories surround you, 

A word someone may say 

Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day, 

That brings him back as clearly 

As though he were still here, 

And fills you with the feeling 

That he is always near. 

For if you keep those moments, 

You will never be apart 

And he will live forever 

Locked safely within your heart. 

God looked around his garden

And found an empty place,

He then looked down upon the earth

And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you

And lifted you to rest.

God's garden must be beautiful

He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering

He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never

Get well on 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 bethine".

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. 

God saw him getting tired, a cure was not to be.

He wrapped him in his loving arms and whispered "Come with me".

He suffered much in silence, his spirit did not bend.

He faced his pain with courage, until the very end.

He tried so hard to stay with us but his fight was not in vain,

God took him to His loving home and freed him from the pain. 

I do not need a special day

To bring you to mind.

The days I do not think of you

Are very hard to find. 

Each morning when I awake

I know that you are gone.

And no one knows the heartache

As I try to carry on.

My heart still aches with sadness

And secret tears still flow.

What it meant to lose you,

No one will ever know.

My thoughts are always with you,

Your place no one can fill.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see,

If the sun should rise you find your eyes all filled with tears for me;

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 tomorrow starts without me please try to understand,

That 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’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned and walked away a tear fell from my eye.

For all my life I’d always thought, I didn’t want to die.

I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do.

It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays the good ones and the bad.

I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,

I’d say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized that this could never be,

For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.

When I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow

I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.

When I walked through heavens gates I felt so much at home.

God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne

He said, “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you”

Today your life on earth has passed but here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last

And since each day is the same there’s no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful so trusting and so true.

Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.

You have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.

So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts with out me don’t think we’re far apart,

For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart. 

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 his 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've 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 savoured 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.

I have a place in heaven

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.

It's 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 life 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. 

 I needed the quiet, so He drew me aside,

Into the shadows where we could confide.

Away from the bustle where all the day long

I hurried and worried when active and strong.

I needed the quiet, though at first I rebelled,

But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld,

And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things.

Though weakened in body, my spirit took wings

To heights never dreamed of when active and gay.

He loved me so greatly He drew me away.

I needed the quiet. No prison my bed,

But a beautiful valley of blessings instead—

A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide.

I needed the quiet—so He drew me aside.

We thought of you today

But that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday

And days before that too.

We think of you in silence.

We often speak your name.

Now all we have are memories

And your pictures in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake

With which we'll never part.

God has you in His keeping,

We have you in our heart.

If tears could build a stairway,

and memories a lane.

I would walk right up to Heaven

and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,

No time to say "Goodbye".

You were gone before I knew it,

and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,

and secret tears still flow.

What it meant to love you -

No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me

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 hollowed place within my heart

is where you'll always stay. 

The angels gathered near your bed, 

So very close to you.

For they knew the pain and suffering 

That you were going through.

I thought about so many things,

So I held tightly to you hand.

Oh, how I wished that you were strong 

And happy once again.

But your eyes were looking homeward, 

To that place be yond the sky.

Where Jesus held his outstretched arms,

It was time to say good-bye.

I struggled with my selfish thoughts,

For i wanted you to stay.

So we could walk and talk again,

Like we did-just yesterday.

But Jesus knew the answer 

And I knew He loved you so.

So I gave to you life's greatest gift,

The gift of letting go. 

Now my heart will carry memories

Of the love you gave to me

Until we meet again in Heaven,

Where the best is yet to be.

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.

There is a train at the station

With a seat reserved just for me

I'm excited about its destination

As I’ve heard it sets you free

The trials and tribulations

The pain and stress we breathe

Don't exist where I am going

Only happiness I believe

I hope that you will be there

To wish me on my way

It's not a journey you can join in

It’s not your time today

There'll be many destinations

Some are happy, some are sad

Each one a brief reminder

Of the great times that we've had

Many friends I know are waiting

Who took an earlier train

To greet and reassure me

That nothing has really changed

We’ll take the time together

To catch up on the past

To build a new beginning

One that will always last

One day you'll take your journey

On the train just like me

And I promise that I'll be there

At the station and you will see

That life is just a journey

Enriched by those you meet

No-one can take that from you

It's always yours to keep

But now as no seat is vacant

You will have to muddle through

Make sure you fulfil your ambitions

As you know I’ll be watching you

And if there’s an occasion

To mention who you knew

Speak kindly of that person

As one day it will be you

Now I can’t except this ending

And as it's time for me to leave

Please make haste to the reception

To enjoy my drinks, they're free! 

Please don't say that I gave up

just say that I gave in.

Don't say I lost the battle,

For it was God's war to lose or win.

Please don't say how good I was,

but that I did my best.

Just say I tried to do what's right,

to give the most I could,

not less.

Please don't give me wings or halos,

That's for God to do.

I want no more than I deserve.

No extras, just my due.

Please don't give flowers,

or talk in harsh tones.

Don't be concerned about me now,

I'm well with God, I have made it home.

Don't talk about what could have been,

its over and done.

Just see to all my family needs.

The battle has been won!

When you draw a picture of me,

don't draw me as a saint.

I've done some good, I've done some wrong....

So use all of your paint.

Not just the bright and light tones.

Use some gray and dark.

In fact, don't put me down on canvas,

just paint me in your heart.

Don't just remember all the good times,

but remember all the bad,

For life is full of many things.

Some happy and some sad.

But if you must do something,

then I have one last request:

Forgive me for the wrongs I've done

and with the love that's left,

Thank God for my soul's resting.

Thank God for all who loved me,

and praise God who love me the best.

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 a shore gazing at a beautiful sea,

As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity,

Remember me.

Remember me in your heart:

Your thoughts, and your memories,

Of the times we loved,

The times we cried,

The times we fought,

The times we laughed.

For if you always think of me, I will never have gone.

Don’t remember me with sadness,

Don’t remember me with tears,

Remember all the laughter, 

We’ve shared throughout the years. 

Now I am contented 

That my life it was worthwhile, 

Knowing as I passed along the way 

I made somebody smile. 

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. 

So please don’t be unhappy 

Just because I’m out of sight, 

Remember that I’m with you 

Each morning, noon and night. 

I am home in heaven, dear ones;

Oh so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,

Every restless tossing passed; 

I am now at peace forever,

Safely home in heaven at last.

Did you wonder how I so calmly

Trod the valley of the shade?

Oh, but Jesus' love illumined

Every dark and fearful glade.

And he came himself to meet me

In that way so hard to tread;

And with Jesus' arm to lean on,

Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,

For I love you dearly still;

Try to look beyond earth's shadows,

Pray to trust our Father's will.

There is work still waiting for you,

So you must not idly stand;

Do it now, while life remains,

You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,

He will gently call you home;

Oh, the rapture of that meeting,

Oh, the joy to see you come!

Don't weep at my grave,

For I am not there,

I've set a date with a butterfly

To dance in the air.

I'll be in the sunshine,

Wild and free,

Playing tag with the wind,

While I'm waiting for thee.

The day you left and gained your wings

Our heart just broke in two.

We wished you could have stayed with us

But Heaven needed you.

You left us with memories

And we love you dearly still.

No matter how much time goes by

You know we always will.

You were a very special person

With kindness in your heart

And with the love we had together

Grows stronger now that we're apart.

We know we cannot bring you back

Although we wish it everyday,

But a piece of us went with you

The day you went home.

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 we had so many years. I gave you 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 alone.

So grieve awhile 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 those memories within 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 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 once we shared.

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all take,

And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know,

Laugh at all the things we used to do.

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 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 once we shared.

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all take,

And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know,

Laugh at all the things we used to do.

Miss me, but let me go. 

You never said I'm leaving

You never said goodbye.

You were gone before I knew it,

And only God knew why.

A million times I needed you,

A million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place,

That no one could ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you,

But you didn't go alone

For part of me went with you,

The day God took you home.

Perhaps you sent a lovely card, 

Or sat quietly in a chair. 

Perhaps you sent a flower piece, 

If so, we saw it there. 

Perhaps you said the kindest words, 

That 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 much, 

Whatever the part. 

For all the kindness you have shown,

We thank you very much.

For sympathy in sorrowng days,

For friendships healing touch.

With gratitude our hearts are full

Though words cannot convey

The tender thoughts of thankfulness

We hold for you today.