‘Tis but a year ago today
Since God called you away,
And we who loved you most of all
Miss you more each day.
She was a flower too sweet for earth,
Sent here but for a while;
God marked her when
He gave her birth
And took her with a smile.
In tears we saw you sinking
We watched you fade away.
Our hearts were almost broken,
You fought so hard to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping,
So peacefully free from pain.
We could not wish you back
To suffer that again.
The Sorrow of Parting
The gift in this life so precious and rare
Is the love that a husband and wife can share
We shared that love, you and I
From the day we wed, to the day you died.
You cared for me more than words can say,
Your care, your love, I could never repay.
A prayer, a tear, till the end of time
for a wonderful husband, I am proud to call mine.
I walked with you as long as I could.
Our years were many, our days were good.
God took your hand and we had to part.
He eased your pain, but he broke my heart.
I wanted you with me for a few more years.
God knew how I felt, but he knew best.
He took you home so you could rest.
Life goes on, I know it’s true
But it’s not the same since I lost you.
Your beautiful memories I will treasure for ever,
Of the happy days when we were together
With an aching heart I whisper low,
“I love you and miss you so.”
Long days, long nights, you bore the pain
And hoped for cure, but all in vain.
Then God decided what was best,
He took you home and gave you rest.
The Elephant In The Room
There’s an elephant in the room.
It is large and squatting, so it is hard to get around it.
Yet we squeeze by with “how are you?” and “I’m fine” …
And a thousand other forms of trivial chatter.
We talk about the weather
We talk about work.
We talk about everything else
… Except the elephant in the room.
There’s an elephant in the room.
We all know it is there
We are thinking about the elephant as we talk together.
It is constantly on our minds.
For, you see, it is a very big elephant.
It has hurt us all.
But we do not talk about the elephant in the room.
Oh, please, say her name.
Oh, please, say “Barbara” again.
Oh, please, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
For if we talk about her death,
Perhaps we can talk about her life.
Can I say “Barbara” to you and not have you look away?
For if I cannot, then you are leaving me
Alone …In a room …
With an elephant.
~ Terry Kettering
Bereavement Publishing Inc.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Turn Again To Life
If I should die and leave you here a while,
Be not like others, sore undone, who keep
Long vigil by the silent dust and weep.
For my sake turn again to life and smile,
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
That which will comfort other souls than thine,
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine,
And I, perchance, may therin comfort you.
~ Mary Lee Hall
