For those who have lost a loved one, some comforting words.

We had this printed on the back side of my fathers funeral card.  I find peace when I read it.  I wanted to share it with others.  RIP

Losing a loved one and helping cope with life

My father passed away on the 22nd of February 2014.  He is, needless to say, terribly missed.  As anyone who has lost someone close to them, you can't put into words how much you miss their presence in your life.

I alway try to look at the positive side of everything that happens in life - even tragedy.  When I think of my dad I consider that I was so lucky to have had him for so many years in my life - I am in my 48th year.  My dad had heart trouble though out his life with heart attacks and cardiac arrests, so I could have lost him when I was 12 years of age.

My father was also a very religious man.  When he realised his heart was growing weaker, he asked that his pace maker was turned off so he wouldn't have to worry about being "shocked" when his heart started to fail.  He also wished to be at home.  So, in short, he got his two dying wishes.  To die at home and peacefully - so peacefully - in his sleep.  I was so happy for him.  He couldn't have asked for a better way to go, nor could I for him...

At his burial, the owner of the funeral home recited a poem that I found comforting and would like to share with you all.

God bless.

Henry Scott Holland's prayer

It might be a sad subject but I think this is such a beautiful poem. To think someone can write something so beautiful and make a sad occasion very special. I wanted to share it with you.

Death is nothing at all
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well 

Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918
Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

How long will the grieving last?

Sounds a little silly but my cat of 17 years is slowly fading away. It will be like losing a member of the family. I will shed big tears but I also know he’s had a good life and take comfort in that thought. The reason I share this with you is that a lot of people who come see me after they have lost a loved one, and do not know that the normal average grieving time is a year. This is because we go through the holidays and birthdays and other big events thinking about them. I just wanted to remind those who have lost a love one, time will help you and it’s okay to still cry weeks, months, and years as you remember them in your thoughts.

Peace be with you.

 Marygrace