Jacob Cruz

I gave you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness
I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories with your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear

All of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile, and welcome you home.
~Anonymous~

In Memory of You
I find an old photograph
and see your smile.
As I feel your presence anew,
I am filled with warmth
and my heart remembers love.

I read an old card
sent many years ago
during a time of turmoil and confusion.
The soothing words written then
still caress my spirit
and bring me peace.

I remember who you used to be
the laughter we shared
and wonder what you have become.
Where are you now,
Where did you go,
When the body is left behind
and the spirit is released to fly?

Perhaps you are the morning bird
singing joyfully at sunrise,
or the butterfly that dances
so carelessly on the breeze
or the rainbow of colors
that brightens a stormy sky
or the fingers of afternoon mist
delicately reaching over the mountains
or the final few rays of the setting sun
lighting up the skies
edging the clouds with a magical glow.

I miss your being
but I feel your presence,
In whatever form you choose to take,
however you now choose to be.

Your spirit has become for me

a guardian angel on high
guiding, advising, and watching over me.

I remember you.
You are with me and I am not afraid.
~Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS~

Remember ME

To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated.
To the happy, I am at peace.
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 look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty,
Remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, and your memories.
Of the times we cried, the times we fought, and the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never have gone.

~Anon~

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me:

I wish 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.

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When 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 is past,
But here life starts anew."

"I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past."

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
~Author Unknown~

Letter to My Child

Thank you for the love you gave,

And all the joy you brought,

For all the times when you were small

And filled each waking thought.

For all the laughter, smiles and tears,

The studying and stress,

The memory of muddy boots

And that special party suit!

The days the house filled up with friends

I never knew each name,

The growing up, the leaving home,

How quiet life became.

The letters, cards and photographs

Each play their special part,

But thanks for the love we shared,

Still growing in my heart.

~Iris Hesselden~

WHY? ~~~~
Perhaps one day we’ll understand
Why God decided to take your hand
And lead you into Heaven above
surrounded by his tender love.

Never does a day pass by
that we don’t ask the question why?
Why did God take our precious son?
Was it something we had done?

We hope to face the Lord one day
and ask him why you couldn’t stay
on earth with those who loved you so,
those who wanted to see you grow.

We mourn for the things that will not be,
for the things with you, we'll never see.
the fun and games we'll never share,
for special times when you won't be there

No more to see your smiling face,
Nothing will ever take its place,
In our hearts you will always stay,
While we await that 'One Sweet Day'.

That 'One Sweet Day' in Heaven above,
Where we will meet and affirm our love.
Once more our arms will hold you tight,
As in God's presence we'll reunite.

Until that day, we must live our lives
Ensuring each memory of you survives,
And feel your presence, ever near,
each time we shed each painful tear.

"See you in Heaven", you'll hear us say,
as you watch over us every day,
Then when our lives on earth are done
We know you'll be the one to come.

You'll take us gently by the hand,
and lead us to God's Heavenly land,
where all together we will be,
our, once more, happy family.
~Bea Brunton~

A Child Loaned

If Roses Grew In Heaven

 If Roses grow in Heaven,

Lord please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother's arms

and tell her they're from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her,

and when she turns to smile,

place a kiss upon her cheek

and hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

but there's an ache within my heart

that will never go away.

Ask Me

Not, how did he die, but how did he live?

Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?

These are the units to measure the worth

Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Not what was his church, nor what was his creed

But had he befriended those really in need?

Was he ever ready, with the word of good cheer

To bring back a smile, to banish your tears?

 ~Anon~

My Son
In a son's dreams, a Fathers hope
In a son's accomplishments, a Fathers pride.
In a son's happiness, a Fathers joy
In a son's death, a Fathers eternal sorrow.....

TIME

I thought that time was healing 
All the hurt you left behind 
That empty spaces could be filled 
My arms, my heart, my mind 
And though my body looks the same 
As it did when you were here 
The emptiness is growing 
Even bigger with each year 
 
I thought that time was healing 
All the agonising pain 
That as the tears were fading 
Soon I wouldn't feel the same 
And though I can be smiling 
And you think that I'll survive 
The pain is in my blood now 
I have nowhere else to hide 
 
I thought that time was healing 
All the loss a mother feels 
That now you live within my heart 
I had you near me still 
But I need so much to touch you 
To see you smile again 
And those memories I'm told are mine 
Can never feel the same 
 
I thought that time was healing 
All the while the mask was worn 
That underneath a new me 
Was waiting to be born 
But now I find I am the mask 
It helps to keep me safe 
And though my heart is breaking 
You won't see it in my face 
 
I thought that time was healing 
All those tears my eyes have seen 
That aching arms that miss you 
Could be satisfied with dreams 
But here I am, in pain again 
And healing stands alone 
And mother weeps, the world can see 
For a son who can't come home 
~Sue White~

My Mom

My Mom is a survivor,
or so I've heard it said.
But I can hear her crying at night
when all others are in bed.

I watch her lay awake at night
and go to hold her hand.
She doesn't know I am with her
to help her understand.

But like the sands on the beach
that never wash away...
I watch over my surviving mom,
who thinks of me each day.

She wears a smile for others...
a smile of disguise!
But through Heaven's door I see
tears flowing from her eyes.

My Mom tries to cope with death
to keep my memory alive.
But anyone who knows her knows
it is her way to survive.

As I watch over my surviving Mom
through Heaven's open door...
I try to tell her that angels
protect me forevermore.

I know that doesn't help her...
or ease the burden she bears.
So if you get a chance, go visit her...
and show her that you care.

For no matter what she says...
no matter what she feels.
My surviving mom has a broken heart
that time won't ever heal.

Child of Mine
I gave you life, my child
On the day that you were born
The love you gave to me
Now helps this heart that's torn

I watched you grow and learn each day
As the years flew like a gentle breeze
Now if I could have you back again
I'd kneel and pray on my knees

I didn't know our life together
Would end after only a few years
Now my heart is sad and lonely
And life is full of tears

I always think about you
Not a day goes by that I miss
I cherish the memories we made
Yet forever I'll always wish....

That life had taken a different path
Or that I could un-do that last day
When I was given no warning
That you were going away

I often think if things were changed
And I had left and you stayed
Would I want you to feel the pain
When your dad was taken away?

I wouldn't want you to cry each night
Or have your heart broken in two
I'd want you to go on and live
And have my memories be special for you

I'd want you to remember me
And the love we forever shared
I'd never want you feeling lonely
But to know how much I cared

Now you live in Heaven
And I'm still waiting for my time
When the angels call my name
I'll step to the front of the line

On Father's Day I will cry
And I know I always will
Because I'm a dad whose heart hurts
For my child who left too soon
~An Angels' Dad Forever~
 

"A child who loses a parent is an 'orphan.' A man who loses his wife
is a 'widower.' A woman who loses her husband is a 'widow.' There is no
name for a parent who loses a child, for there is no word to describe the pain."
~Author Unknown~

Ascension
A Poem by Colleen Corah Hitchcock

And if I go,
while you're still here
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
-behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
-both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
I will be there.

Do not stand at my side and weep
I am not there I do not sleep
I am the soft summer breezes, that gently caress your skin.
I am the funny shaped clouds, that make children grin.

AND GOD SAID....

I said, "God, I hurt."
And God said, "I know."

I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."

I said, "God, I am so depressed."
And God said, "That is why I gave you Sunshine."

I said, "God, life is so hard."
And God said, "That is why I gave you loved ones."

I said, "God, my loved one died."
And God said, "So did mine."

I said, "God, it is such a loss."
And God said," I saw mine nailed to a cross."

I said, "God, but your loved one lives."
And God said, "So does yours."

I said, "God, where is she now?"
And God said, "Mine is on My right and yours is in the Light."

I said, "God, it hurts."
And God said, I know............"
~Author Unknown~

With Hope

  This Steven Curtis Chapman song says a lot of how we feel.

This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so...

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

This is beautiful! Try Not to Cry...

(I received this in an email, was moved by it and wanted to share)

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room.

She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?

'The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'  
 
Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more?

Where were you, God, when my son needed you?'  
 
The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son?

One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'
 
 Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son.

She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes.

The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. 
  
The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study.

He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said,

' Mom , I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one

more day with his Mom .' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold.

Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.' 
 

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house.

She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.
 
   She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he

had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnightwhen Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter.

The letter said:

'Dear Mom ,  
  I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you,

just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you

won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with.

But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do.

You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.   
 
Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as

soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything.

The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what?

Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him.

Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee

and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that

I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything.

But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ?

God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter

I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.

God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him

'where was He when I needed him?'

'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross.

He was right there, as He always is with all His children.   
 

Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I've written except you.

To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool?

I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life.

Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.  
 
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone...

I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see

me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me.

The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that? 

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me. 

Please don't forget to light a Candle in Jacob's memory to keep his Eternal Light shinning...

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