Remember By Christina Rossetti

REMEMBER

by: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

REMEMBER me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

**This is one of my all time favorite poems. I just wanted to share it with all of you... I first discovered this poem when I use to read the Sweet Valley High series when I was in Jr. high.

Comes the Dawn

I found this poem years ago...

Comes The Dawn
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security,
And you begin to understand that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises;

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much,
So plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure,
That you really are strong
And that you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn . . .
With every good-bye you learn.
~Anonymous

... it has since been a favorite of mine and I think it speaks volumns. Often times when I am faced with a difficult passing (no matter if it is loss of friendship, boyfriend or loved one), I read this and find some small comfort in it. I wanted to share it with all of you, in hopes that it can bring comfort to you as well.

Today is Tuesday's Memorial Service in Colorado. I would give anything to be there. Unfortunately, it just wasn't possible to attend. I will be there in spirit and we will be releasing balloons and having a "wagie ride" for Tuesday.

Unless you have lost a child

A friend of mine was murdered in 1998. Her name was Tammy Black Thompson. She was about 5 mo pregnant with twin girls. A lady who had read the stories in the local papers, ran into Tammy's mom one day at Heilig-Meyers furniture store. That lady gave Debbie Black the following poem. It brought much comfort to Debbie who lost her daughter and maybe it can comfort JK or anyone out there who has lost a child...

Unless you have lost a child...

Please don't ask me if I'm over it yet.

I'll never be over it.

Please, don't tell me she's in a better place.

She isn't here with me.

Please, dont say at least she isn't suffering.

I haven't come to terms with why she had to suffer at all.

Please, don't tell me you know how I feel, Unless you have lost a child.

Please, dont ask me if I feel better. Bereavement isn't a condition that clears up.

Please, don't tell me at least you had her for so many years.

What year would you choose for your child to die?

Please, dont tell me God never gives us more than we can bear.

Please, just say you are sorry.

Please, just say you remember my child, if you do.

Please, just let me talk about my child.

Please, mention my childs name.

Please, just let me cry.

I haven't ever lost a child. Actually, I can't imagine the heart ache that would bring. I don't even know how I would get through it. My children are the most precious beings to me and I do everything in my power to keep them safe and here with me. Many times though, things are out of a mother's control and parent loses a child.
For those mother's the above poem is a tribute to you. I can only sympathize with you and cry when you cry.
May God Bless you and keep you always