If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane
We 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 we knew it
And only God knows why

Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one will ever know

But now we know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store

Since you’ll never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you’ll always stay

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Mother, please don’t mourn for me;

I’m still here, though you don’t see.

I’m right by your side each night and day

And within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near

I’m everything you feel, see or hear.

My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart

As long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight.

I’m the brightest star on a summer night.

I’ll never be beyond your reach.

I’m the warm, moist sand when you’re at the beach.

I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around

And the pure, white snow that blankets the ground.

I’m the beautiful flowers of which you are so fond.

The clear, cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring;

The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,

And you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you,

You can talk to me through the Lord above you.

I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,

And you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot, salty tears that flow when you weep

And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.

I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.

Just look for me, Mommy, I’m every place!

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Do you know of someone Whose precious child has died?

Perhaps she is a neighbor or friend With whom you can confide.

You assume that she is suffering A tragedy so deep,

That there is nothing you can do Since all she does is weep.

You feel that if you see her There is nothing you can say

That would make her precious child come back Or make the pain go away.

And if by chance you meet her And have to face her grief,

You’ll do your very best To make this meeting brief.

You’ll talk about the weather Or the lady down the lane,

But you’ll never mention her child - That would cause her too much pain!

And when the funeral’s over, And all is said and done,

You’ll go home to your family, And she’ll be all alone.

She’ll go on, she’ll be alright, time heals - Or so it seems,

While she’s left alone to pick up the pieces Of her shattered life and dreams.

-OR-

You can open your heart And find that special place

Where compassion and true giving Are awaiting your embrace.

"Today I’m thinking of you in a very special way,"

Or, how about "I love you!" Are some loving things to say.

Sometimes a very simple task Like picking up the phone,

Can help her feel not-so-quite Desperately alone.

Whatever comes from a genuine heart Cannot be said in vain

For the truth is, it’s these very things That lessen her great pain.

And when you let her talk about Her child who is now dead,

You’ll know this is far greater Than anything you’ve said.

So will you reach out with all your soul And let her know you care?

For in the end there’s no substitute For simply BEING THERE!

Debi L. Pettigrew

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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.

~Teri Kettering~

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Do You Remember Me

I can't believe after all this time,I can't get over you,
I guess a love like ours is one of a kind,a love that is true.
It's been 9 years sense you left me to go to God & heavens immensity,
Do you still remember me?

Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me it could be for anything
I didn't ask for money or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished for one more day with you
One more day, one more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again, I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you, one more day
First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl
I'd unplug the telephone and keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second, say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do with one more day with you
One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day... with you

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