Poems & Prayers

#001

A bouquet of beautiful memories,
Sprayed with a million tears,
Wishing God could have spared you,
If just for a few more years.

It does not take a special day,
For me to think of you,
Each Mass I hear, each prayer I say,
Is offered up for you.

We cannot bring the old days back,
When we were all together,
The family chain is broken now,
But memories live forever.

May she rest in peace, dear Jesus,
In Thy heavenly home above,
With the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
In His own eternal love.

Along the road to yesterday,
That leads me straight to you,
Are memories of happy days,
Together we once knew.

A silent grief that’s in our hearts,
No human eye can trace,
For many a broken heart is hid,
Beneath a smiling face.

#004

A loving husband, father and grandfather too,
Each one of us thought
the world of you,
For us you always did your best;
God grant your soul eternal rest.

Quickly and quietly came the call,
Without farewell you left us all,
A sudden call from God on high,
You had no chance to say goodbye,
Without farewell you fell asleep,
But memories of you
we’ll always keep.

We did not know that morning,
What sorrow the day would bring,
When a heart of gold stopped beating,
And we couldn’t do a thing.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

We never fail to think of you,
We never cease to care,
We only wish we could go home,
And find you waiting there.

#007

I’d like the memory of me,
To be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow,
Of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways.
Of happy times and laughing times
And bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve,
To dry before the sun.
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.

#010

Don’t cry for me, please don’t be sad,
Hold on to the memories of the
times we both had.
Don’t dwell on dark thoughts,
hold on tight to your wishes,
Sending you hugs
and butterfly kisses.

I walk beside you,
I am there all day long,
I am right here but you think,
I am gone.
You don’t see me, but I can see you,
Whatever the problems,
I will help get you through.

I am the wind in your hair
When you are sad,
Butterfly kisses that you feel
on your nose.
I am with you at sunrise
and in sunset,
But you can’t see me is my
one regret.

I sit right beside you,
When you are sad,
As you look through the photos
of times we both had.
I watch you sleeping,
I hold you so tight,
Before I go, I kiss you goodnight.

I will watch over you from
Heaven above,
Forever you will be my one true love.
Hold on to your dreams and
all your wishes,
Sending you hugs and
butterfly kisses.

– John F. Connor

#015

Don’t remember me with sadness,
Don’t remember me with tears,
Remember all the laughter,
We’ve had throughout the years.

Then when the summer sunshine,
Awake the flowers in bloom,
I’ll walk that light from heaven,
Around the corner of the room.

Do the things we did before,
The same in every way,
Just whisper a little prayer to me,
At the dawn of every day.

Just think of me as present,
Don’t think of me as past,
For a mother’s love is a blessing,
In death it still will last.

Forget your troubles and your worries,
They are mine forevermore,
I’ll watch and care and love you,
From heaven’s open door.

And when your road gets
rough and rocky,
Or your down and need a crutch,
Remember I’m right beside you,
Just an inch too short to touch.

#019

God saw you were getting tired,
When a cure was not to be,
He closed His arms around you,
And whispered, “Come to Me”.

In tears we watched you sinking,
We watched you fade away;
And though our hearts were breaking,
We knew you could not stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands at rest,
It broke our hearts to see you go,
God only takes the best.

Your painful days are over Dad,
Your restless nights have passed,
God gently closed your eyes,
And gave you peace at last.

You gave us years of happiness,
Then sorrow came with tears,
You left us lovely memories,
We will treasure through the years.

May you Rest in Peace dear Dad,
Is now our daily prayer,
We thank you Dad for everything,
Your love and all your care.

#023

God looked around His garden,
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you,
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered, “Peace be Thine”.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

#028

I am home in Heaven, dear ones,
Oh, so happy and so bright,
There is perfect joy and beauty,
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief are over,
Every restless yearning past,
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Dear one, do not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still,
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust Our Father’s will.

When your work is completed,
He will gently call you Home,
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come.

#031

I am not gone,
While you cry with me,
I am not gone,
While you smile with me,
I am not gone,
While you remember with me.

I will come, when you call my name,
I will come, when I feel your pain,
I will come, On your final day.
It could never be,
That we, would never be.

We shall always,
Be together, Forever,
I am not gone.

#032

I thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.

I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
All I have are memories,
And your picture in a frame.

Remembering you is easy,
I do it every day.
It’s the heartache of losing you,
That will never go away.

Your memory is my keepsake,
With which I’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have you in my heart.

#035

We thought of you today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.

We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name.
Now all we have are memories,
And your picture in this frame.

Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping,
We have you in our hearts.

#038

If you knew where I am standing,
If you could see the sights I see,
If you could hear the angels singing,
The songs they sing eternally.

If you knew the one I’m holding,
Could see the smile He smiles at me,
If you knew where I am resting,
You would not cry for me.

I’m resting in the arms of Jesus,
No other place would I rather be,
So, if you shed a tear,
Please don’t shed it for me.

For if you knew where I am resting,
You would not cry for me.

#040

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.

We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay…

Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some the journey’s slow.

And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord

– Author unknown

#043

The moment that you died,
Our hearts split in two,
The one side filled with memories,
The other died with you.

We often lay awake at night,
When the world is fast asleep,
And take a walk down memory lane,
With tears upon our cheeks.

#044

You’ll never be forgotten,
That simply cannot be.
As long as I am living,
I’ll carry you with me.

Safely tucked within my heart,
Your light will always shine.
A glowing ember never stilled,
Throughout the end of time.

No matter what the future brings,
Or what may lay ahead.
I know that you will walk with me,
Along the path I tread.

So, rest my angel, be at peace,
And let your soul fly free.
One day I’ll join your glorious flight,
For all eternity.

#047

Release me, let me go,
I have so many things to see and do,
You must not tie yourself to
Me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love and you
Can only guess,
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you
each have shown,
But now it’s time I travelled on alone.

So, grieve a while 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 within
your heart.

I won’t be far away, for life goes on,
So, if you need me,
call and I will come.
Though you cannot see
or touch me, I’ll be near,
And if you listen with your heart,
You’ll hear all my love around
You, soft and clear.

And then when you must come
this way alone,
I’ll greet you with a smile and say,
“Welcome Home”.

#051

Along the road to yesterday,
That leads us straight to you,
Are memories of the happy days,
Together we once knew.

And always every evening,
We seem to have a way,
Of wandering back to meet you,
On the road to yesterday.

#053

She never failed to do her best,
Her heart was true and tender,
She worked and toiled
for those she loved,
And left them to remember.

We sat beside her bedside,
Our hearts were crushed and sore.
We did our duty to the end,
‘til we could do no more.

In tears we watched you sinking,
We watch you fade away,
And though our hearts were breaking,
We knew you could not stay.

You left behind some aching hearts,
That loved you most sincere.
We never shall and never will,
Forget you Mother dear.

#056

I little knew that morning,
God was going to call your name,
In life I loved you dearly,
in death I do the same.

It broke my heart to lose you,
you did not go alone,
for part of me went with you,
the day God called you home.

You left me beautiful memories,
your love is still my guide,
and though we cannot see you,
you’re always at my side.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

– Anonymous

#059

So many things have happened,
Since you were called away,
So many things to share with you,
Had you been left to stay.

Every day in some small way,
Memories of you come our way,
Though absent, you are ever near,
Still missed, loved, and always dear.

#060

If tears could build a stairwell,
And memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to Heaven,
And bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say good-bye,
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knows why.

#063

They say that time’s a healer,
But I am not so sure,
For every time I think of you,
I miss you even more.

The pain and heartache linger on,
And make me feel so blue,
And even when I wear a smile,
I’m longing, Mum (Dad), for you.

And so, I just want you to know,
That you will always stay,
Loved and remembered in my heart,
Forever and a day.

#066

When I am gone, release me,
let me go,
I have so many things to see
and do,
You mustn’t tie yourself
to me in tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave to you my love, you can only guess,
How much you gave to me in happiness,
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it’s time I travelled 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 within 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 my love around you,
soft and clear.
And then when you must come
this way alone,
I’ll greet you with a smile and a
“WELCOME HOME”.

#070

Please don’t feel guilty,
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.

We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it’s more years.
I don’t want you to keep crying,
You are shedding too many tears.

I haven’t really left you,
Even though it seems so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I’m closer to you than you know.

Just believe that when you say
my name,
I’m standing right beside you.
I’ll send you signs and messages,
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to
‘cross over’,
I’ll be there to take your hand.

by Lyn Ragan & Chip Oney

#074

Your gentle face and patient smile,
With sadness we recall,
You had a kindly word for each,
And died beloved by all.

The voice is mute and stilled the heart,
That loved us well and true,
Ah, bitter was the trial to part,
From one so good as you.

You are not forgotten loved one,
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.

We miss you now,
our hearts are sore,
As time goes by, we miss you more,
Your loving smile, your gentle face,
No one can fill your vacant place.

#077

Your life was one,
Of thoughtful deeds,
A helping hand,
For other’s needs.

Sincere and true,
In heart and mind,
Beautiful memories,
Left behind.

#080

I often lie awake at night,
When the world is fast asleep.
I think about the sister I love,
With tears upon my cheeks.

I can’t get over losing you,
No matter how I try.
I will always keep you in my heart,
Until the day I die.

You were that special sister,
That many were a fond,
But no one had, what we had,
A sister’s special bond.

#082

Time has taken me from you,
Although not very far.
I’ll be watching through the sunshine
And through the brightest star.

I’ll be watching all of you
From the heavens up above.
So take good care of each other
And carry all my love.

If you’re ever wondering where I am,
Here’s where you can start:
Take a look inside yourself,
Deep within your heart.

#085

Do not stand at my grave
and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds
that blow,
I am the diamond glints
on snow.

I am the sunlight on
ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush.

Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine
in the night.
Do not stand at my grave
and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

#088

Don’t think of him/her as gone away,
his/her journey’s just begun,
Life holds so many facets.
This earth is only one.

Just think of him/her as resting,
From the sorrows and the tears,
In a place of warmth and comfort,
Where there are no days and years.

Think how he/she must be wishing,
That we could know today,
How nothing but our sadness,
Can really pass away.

And think of him/her as living,
In the hearts of those he/her touched,
For nothing loved is ever lost,
And he/she was loved so much.

#091

Death leaves a heartache
No one can heal.
Memories are treasures
No one can steal.

Some may forget you,
Now that you are gone.
But we will remember,
No matter how long.

You will always stay
Loved and remembered,
In every way.

No tears, no verse,
Can ever say how much
We miss you every day.

#096

Her heart was true and tender,
she worked and toiled,
for those she loved,
and left them to remember.

We sat beside your bedside,
our hearts were crushed and sore.
We did our duty to the end,
‘til we could do no more.

In tears we watched you sinking,
we watched you fade away.
And though our hearts
were breaking,
we knew you could not stay.

You left behind some
aching hearts,
that loved you most sincere.
We never shall and never will
forget you Mother dear.

#099

Those we love remain with us,
For love itself lives on,
And cherished memories never fade,
Because a loved one’s gone.

Those we love can never be more,
Than a thought apart,
For as long as there is memory,
They’ll live on in the heart.

#102

We lost a mother with a
heart of gold,
How much we miss her
can never be told.
She shared our troubles
and helped us along,
If we follow her footsteps,
we will never go wrong.

We miss you from your
fireside chair,
Your loving smile and gentle air,
Your vacant place
no one can fill,
We miss you mother
and always will.

She was a mother so very rare,
Content in her home
and always there.
On earth she toiled,
in Heaven she rests,
God bless you, mother,
you were one of the best.

Each time we look
at your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
“Don’t be sad but courage takes,
And each other love
for my own sake.”

#105

You toiled so hard for
those you loved.
You said goodbye to none,
Your spirit flew before we knew,
Your work on earth was done.

We miss you now,
our hearts are sore,
as time goes by,
we miss you more.

Your loving smile,
your gentle face,
No one can fill
your vacant place.

Your life was love and labour,
Your love for your family true,
You did the best for all of us,
We will always remember you.

#002

I’m writing this from Heaven,
Where I dwell with God above,
Where there’s no more
Tears or sadness,
There’s just eternal love.

When you are walking
down the street,
And you’ve got me on your mind,
I’m walking in your footsteps,
Only half a step behind.

And when you feel that gentle breeze,
Or the wind upon your face,
That’s me giving you a great big hug,
Or just a soft embrace.

And when it’s time for you to go,
From that body to be free,
Remember you’re not going,
You are coming here to me.

#005

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away
into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.

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,
And if you want to, 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 a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant,
It is 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

#008

Along the road of suffering,
You found a little lane;
That took you up to Heaven,
And ended all your pain.

You may be out of sight,
We may be worlds apart;
But you are always in our prayers,
And forever in our hearts.

#011

The Lord saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be,
So He put his arms around you
And whispered, “Come with me.”

With tearful eyes,
we watched you suffer,
And saw you fade away,
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,
A beautiful smile at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the best.

It’s lonesome here without you
We miss you so each day,
Our lives aren’t the same
Since you went away.

When days are sad and lonely,
And everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper,
“Cheer up and carry on.”

Each time we see your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
“Don’t cry, I’m in God’s keeping,
We’ll meet again someday.”

– Rhonda Braswell

#013

Death is only an old door,
Set in a garden wall,
On gentle hinges it gives, at dusk,
When the thrush’s call.

Along the linted are green leaves,
Beyond the light lies still,
Very willing and weary feet
Go over that sill.

There is nothing to trouble any heart,
Nothing to hurt at all.
Death is only a quiet door,
In an old wall.

– Nancy Byrd Turner

#016

One night I dreamed I was walking,
Along the beach with the Lord,
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky,
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two
Sets of footprints.
Other times there was only one,
This bothered me because I noticed.

During the low periods of my life
when I was
Suffering from anguish,
sorrow, or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So, I said to the Lord,
“You promised me,
Lord, that if I followed you,
You would walk with me always.

But I noticed during the most
trying periods,
Of my life there has only been,
One set of prints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,
Have you not been there for me?
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen
only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”

#020

God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be,
So, He closed His arms around you,
And He whispered, “Come to Me”.

You do not deserve what you
went through,
And so, He gave you rest,
God’s garden must be beautiful,
For He only takes from the best.

In time 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 from pain,
We could not wish you back,
To suffer that again.

If you had spoken before you died,
These are the words you would
have replied,
“Weep not for me, but courage take,
And love one another for my sake.”

#024

Two tired eyes are sleeping,
Two willing hands are still.
For one who suffered far too much,
Is resting in God’s will.

You never said goodbye to us,
Perhaps it’s just as well,
We never could have said goodbye,
To one we loved so well.

#026

You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray
that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see
all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty,
because you can’t see him,
Or you can be full of the love
that you shared,
You can turn your back on
tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow,
because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only
that he is gone,
Or you can cherish his memory
and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.

– David Harkins

#029

What we’d give if we could say,
Hello, Dad, in the same old way;
To hear your voice,
and see your smile,
To sit with you and chat awhile.

So, if you who have a father/mother,
Cherish him/her with care,
For you’ll never know the heartache,
Till you see his/her vacant chair.

#033

If you knew where I am standing,
If you could see the sights I see,
If you could hear the angels singing,
The songs they sing eternally.

If you knew the “One” I’m holding,
Could see the smile He smiles at me,
If you knew where I am resting,
You would not cry for me.

I’m resting in the precious arms of Jesus,
No other place would I rather be,
So, if you shed a tear,
Please don’t shed it for me.

If you knew where I am easting,
You would not cry for me.

“I know you’re confused,
About my leaving you so soon,
But I’ll be with you again.
Maybe morning, night, or noon,
So, I’ll save a place for you.

Right beside the crystal sea,
If you knew where my mansion’s standing,
You would not cry for me.”

Written by Steven W. Perry

#036

It was a sudden parting,
Too bitter to forget,
Those who loved you dearly,
Are the ones who can’t forget.

We often sit and think of you,
And think of how you died;
To think you could not say goodbye,
Before you closed your eyes.

Your life was one of kindly deeds,
A helping hand for other’s needs,
Sincere and true in heart and mind,
Beautiful memories left behind.

The blow was hard, the shock severe,
To part with one we loved so dear,
Our loss is great, we’ll not complain,
But trust in God to meet again.

Two tired eyes are sleeping,
Two willing hands are still,
The one who worked so hard for us,
Is resting at God’s will.

Our family chain is broken,
Nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The links shall join again.

#041

Lonely is the home without you,
Life to us is not the same,
All the world would be like heaven,
If we could have you back again.

What he suffered he told but few,
He did not deserve what
he went through.
Tired and weary he made no fuss,
But tried so hard to stay with us.

Two tired eyes are sleeping,
Two willing hands are still,
The one who worked so hard for us,
Is resting at God’s will.

Our lips cannot speak how
we loved him,
Our hearts cannot tell what to say,
But God only knows how we miss him,
In our home that is lonely today.

Pray for us, O dearest father,
To Jesus Christ our King;
That He may bless our lonely home
Where thou once dwelt therein.

And pray that God may give us strength,
To bear our heavy cross,
For no one knows but only He,
The treasure we have lost.

#045

Now I am contented,
That my life it was worthwhile,
Knowing as I passed along the way,
I made somebody smile.

When you are walking down
the street,
And you’ve got me on your mind,
I’m walking in your footsteps,
Only half a step behind.

And when you feel the gentle breeze,
Or the wind upon your face,
That’s me giving you a great big hug,
Or just a soft embrace.

So please don’t be unhappy,
Just because I’m out of sight,
Remember that I’m with you,
Every morning, noon and night.

#048

Don’t remember me with sadness,
Don’t remember me with tears,
Remember all the laughter,
We’ve shared throughout the years.

Now I am contented,
That my life it was worthwhile,
Knowing that I passed along the way,
I made somebody smile.

When you are walking down the street,
And you’ve got me on your mind,
I’m walking in your footsteps,
Only half a step behind.

So please don’t be unhappy,
Just because I’m out of sight,
Remember that I’m with you,
Each morning, noon and night

#050

I am home in Heaven dear ones,
Oh! so happy and so bright,
There is perfect joy and beauty,
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed,
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly,
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus’ love illumined,
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me,
In that way so hard to tread,
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still,
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now while life remaineth,
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When the work is all completed,
He will gently call you home,
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come.

#054

Softly in the morning,
You heard a gentle call,
You took the hand God offered you,
And quietly left us all.

The day you left us mother,
Our hearts just broke in two,
The smallest part is still with us,
And the biggest part with you.

For the rest of our lives
we will miss you mother,
Our secret tears still flow,
Oh, how we really loved you,
No one will ever know.

We miss your smile, your joking ways,
We miss the things, you used to say,
And when old times we do recall,
It’s then we miss you most of all.

You were always there
when we needed you,
No task too great or small,
With loving heart and willing hands,
For us you did it all.

Look around Your garden Lord,
And when she turns and smiles,
Put Your arms around her,
And hold her for a while.

#057

There comes a time for all of us,
When we must say goodbye,
But memories of those we love,
Live on and never die.

Although the curtain falls at last,
Is that a cause to grieve?
The future life is brighter still,
If only we believe.

So, trust in God’s eternal care,
And when the Master calls,
We’ll know a fairer world’s beyond,
Although the curtain falls.

#061

Though today you walk in sorrow,
You will not be alone.
There is One whose loving wisdom,
Is far greater than our own.

Put your trusting hand in His,
As a little child would do,
And He like a loving father,
Will guide and comfort you.

Day by day, there will come to you,
New faith, new hope, new light.
You’ll find that star’s unseen by day,
Shine through the darkest night.

And though your heart is longing,
For the dear one who’s at rest,
You’ll know before the journey’s end,
That God’s dear ways are best.

– Jessie Home Fairweather

#064

They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way we feel.

For no one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried.

Gone from home that smiling face,
Those cheerful, happy ways,
The heart that won so many friends,
In bygone, happy days.

We want to tell you something,
So there won’t be any doubt,
You’re so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without.

We cannot bring the old days back,
When we were all together,
The family chain is broken now,
But memories live forever.

#067

We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name,
But all we have are memories,
And your picture in a frame.

Your resting place we visit,
And put flowers there with care,
But no one knows the heartache,
As we turn and leave you there.

#069

Those special memories of you,
Will always bring a smile.
If only I could have you back,
For just a little while.

Then we could sit and talk again,
Just like we used to do.
You always meant so very much,
And always will do too.

The fact that you’re no longer here,
Will always cause me pain.
But you’re forever in my heart,
Until we meet again.

#071

Though your smile is gone forever,
And your hand we cannot touch,
Still, we have so many memories,
Of the ones we loved so much.

Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we’ll never part,
God has you in His keeping,
We have you in our hearts.

#072

We hold you close within our hearts,
And there you shall remain,
To walk with us throughout our lives,
Until we meet again.

So, rest in peace Dear loved one,
And thanks for all you’ve done,
We pray that God has given you,
The crown you’ve truly won.

#075

We miss your smile,
Your joking ways,
We miss the things,
You used to say.

And when old times,
We do recall,
It’s then we miss you,
Most of all.

Tell her how we miss her,
And give her all our love.

#078

Though your smile is gone forever,
And your hand we cannot touch.
Still, we have so many memories,
Of the ones we loved so much.

Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
We have you in our hearts.

It is sad to walk the road alone,
Instead of side by side.
But to all there comes a moment,
When the ways of life divide.

You gave us years of happiness,
Then came sorrow and tears.
But you left us beautiful memories,
We will treasure through the years.

– Author Unknown

#081

Along the road to yesterday
That leads us straight to you
Are memories of the happy days,
Together we once knew.

And always every evening
We seem to have a way
Of wandering back to meet you,
On the road to yesterday.

#083

There’s a special place,
Beyond the skies above,
Somewhere very peaceful,
That is full of light and love.

That special place is Heaven,
Where you’re free to laugh and roam,
It was your time to go there,
So, the angels took you home.

And though you’re in our thoughts,
Each single day throughout the year,
At special times like Christmas
(your birthday),
We wish you could be here.

Now you’re in a better place,
Your soul is laid to rest,
Safe with all the angels,
For they only take the best.

#086

God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So, he put his arms around you,
And whispered, “Come to Me”.

With tearful eyes we watched you,
We watched you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.

#089

May you always walk in sunshine,
And God’s love around you flow.
For the happiness you gave us,
No one will ever know.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
A part of us went with you,
The day god called you home.

#092

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God can tell us why.

It broke my heart to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of me went with you,
The day God called you home

#093

Weep not for me though I am gone
into the gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long
upon my soul’s sweet flight.

There is no need for tears.
I am at peace, my soul is at rest.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
for with your love I was so blessed.

I am in a place of comfort,
the fear now is gone.
Put those things in your thoughts,
in your memory I live on.

Remember not my fight for breath,
remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
but celebrate my life.

#097

If tears could build a stairwell,
And memories were a lane,
I would walk right up to Heaven,
And bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say good-bye,
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knows why.

#100

We miss you from your fireside chair,
Your loving smile and gentle air,
Your vacant place no one can fill,
We miss you Dad and always will.

Each time we look at your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
Don’t be sad but courage take,
And love each other for my sake.

Our lips cannot speak how we loved him,
Our hearts cannot tell what to say,
But God only knows how we miss him
In our home that is lonely today.

We never fail to pray for you
We never cease to care
We wish we could go home again
And find you waiting there.

We will always remember
Our whole lives through
The last words we had with you.

#103

We sat beside your bedside,
Our hearts were crushed and sore.
We did our duty to the end,
‘Til we could do no more.

In tears we watched you sinking,
We watched you fade away.
And though our hearts were breaking,
We knew you could not stay.

You left behind some aching hearts,
That loved you most sincere.
We never shall and never will
Forget you, Mother/Father dear.

#106

Your life was love and labour,
Your love for your family true,
You did your best for all of us,
We will always remember you.

God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be,
He closed his arms around you,
And whispered, “Come to Me!”

Our lives are all so different now,
From what they used to be,
All because you are not here,
To share our company.

Life brings us happiness,
But can quickly turn unkind,
It brings a grief that’s hard to bear,
For loved ones left behind.

Your resting place we visit,
We place some flowers with care,
But no one knows the heartache,
As we turn and leave you there.

RP01

With the Saints give rest, O Christ,
To the souls of Thy servants.
Where there is neither sickness,
Nor sorrow, nor sighing,
but life everlasting.

Thou only art immortal,
Who hast created and fashioned man.
For out of the earth were we
mortals made,
And unto the earth shall we
return again.

As Thou didst command,
When Thou madest man,
saying unto me:
For earth thou art,
And unto the earth shall thou return.

Whether, also, all we mortals wend
our way,
Making of our funeral dirge the song:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

RP05

Jesus asked that the Feast
of the Divine Mercy
be preceded by a Novena
to the Devine Mercy,
which would begin
on Good Friday:

“I desire that during these nine days,
You bring souls to the fountain
of My Mercy.
That they may draw there forth
Strength and refreshment and
Whatever grace they have need of
In the hardships of life,
And especially at the hour of death”.

“On each day of the Novena
You will bring to My heart
A different group of souls
And you will immerse them
In the ocean of My Mercy.

On each day you will beg My Father,
On the strength of My passion,
For the graces of these souls”.

Jesus, I trust in You.

RP09

God made us a family,
We need one another,
We love one another,
We forgive one another.

We work together,
We play together,
We worship together,
Together we use God’s word.

Together we grow in Christ,
Together we love all men,
Together we serve our God,
Together we hope for Heaven.

These are our hopes and ideals,
Help us to attain them, O God,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

RP12

O Blessed Face of my kind Savior,
By the tender love,
And piercing sorrow of Our Lady,
As she beheld You in Your cruel Passion.

Grant us to share in this intense sorrow,
And love so as to fulfill,
The holy will of God,
To the utmost of our ability.

Amen.

RP15

Eternal Father, I offer You
the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity of Your
dearly beloved Son.
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins,
And those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful passion,
Have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us
and on the whole world.
Amen.

RP18

Lord, Jesus, I come before you,
Just as I am.
I am sorry for my sins,
I repent of my sins,
please forgive me.

In your name, I forgive all others,
For what they have done against me.
I renounce Satan, the evil spirits,
And all their works.

I give you my entire self.
Lord Jesus, now and forever,
I invite you into my life Jesus.
I accept you as my Lord and Savior.

Heal me, change me,
Strengthen me in body,
Soul and spirit.

Come Lord Jesus, cover me with
your precious blood,
And fill me with your Holy Spirit,
I love you Jesus. I praise you Jesus.
I thank you Jesus. I shall follow you
Every day of my life.

Amen.

RP21

O gentle and loving
Saint Anthony,
You whose heart was ever full
of human sympathy,
Whisper my prayer to the ears
of the infant Jesus,
Who loved to linger
in your arms.
One word from you and my prayer will be granted.
Speak that word and the gratitude of my heart
Will ever be yours.

RP23

Lord make me an instrument
of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

Lord that I may seek to console
Rather than to be consoled,
To understand rather than
to be understood;
To love rather than to be loved.

For it is in giving that we receive,
In self-forgetfulness, that we
find our true selves,
In forgiving that we are raised up
To life everlasting.

RP26

Remember O Most gracious
Virgin Mary,
That never was it known that anyone
That fled to Thy Protection,
implored Thy help,
Or sought Thy intercession,
was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence
I fly unto Thee,
O Virgin of Virgins my Mother;
To Thee I come; before Thee I stand;
Sinful and sorrowful O Mother
Of the Word incarnate despise
not my petitions,
But in Thy clemency hear
and answer me.

Amen.

RP29

Sweet Lady of Lourdes,
You are the refuge of sinners,
The health of the sick,
And the comfort of the afflicted.

When the weakness of my body
Becomes more than I can bear,
Give me peace in my mind, So that
I may overcome the physical suffering.

Let me find strength in my heart,
Filled with faith in God’s will.
Help me to persevere in the love
And friendship of you,
My heavenly Mother, and your Son
Jesus Christ.

Amen.

RP32

I will lift mine eyes unto the hills
From whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer
thy foot to be moved:
He that keepeth thee
will not slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper:
The Lord is thy shade
upon thy hand.

The sun shall not smite thee
by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee
from all evil;
He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out
And thy coming in from this time forth,
And even for evermore.

RP35

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me

In the paths of righteousness;
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me,
In the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me,
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house
Of the Lord forever.

RP37

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
forever and ever.

Amen.

RP39

Remember O Most gracious
Virgin Mary,
That never was it known
that anyone,
That fled to Thy Protection,
implored Thy help,
Or sought Thy intercession,
was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence
I fly unto Thee,
O Virgin of Virgins my Mother;
To Thee I come; before Thee I stand;
Sinful and sorrowful O Mother,
Of the Word incarnate despise
not my petitions,
But in Thy clemency
hear and answer me.
Amen.

May the Lord support us
all the day long,
Till the shadows lengthen
and the evening comes,
And the busy world is hushed
and the fever of life is over,
And our work is done.

Then in His mercy may,
He give us a safe lodging,
And a holy rest,
And peace at last.

RP02

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here.
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide,

Amen.

RP03

Lord, look down from Heaven above,
And touch this special child with love,
Protect and guide this little one,
Till each and every day is done.

Remind us often that it’s true,
This little life is a gift from you.
A miracle you’ve sent our way, Lord,
Bless this little child today.

RP06

Eternal rest grant unto the deceased
O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them.
May all the souls of the
faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.

Amen.

RP07

O Lord, support us all the day long,
Of this troublous life,
‘Til the shades lengthen,
And the evening comes.

The busy world is hushed,
The fever of life is over
And our work is done.

Then, Lord in Thy great mercy
Grant us a safe lodging,
A holy rest and peace at last
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

RP10

Hail Mary, Full of Grace,
The Lord is with Thee,
Blessed art Thou amongst women,
And blessed is the fruit
Of Thy womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now, and at the hour
of our death.

Amen.

RP13

O Mary, full of goodness,
Under the protection of your
Immaculate Heart, we seek refuge.
Holy Mother of God, hear our prayers,
And deliver us from all dangers.

Help us overcome our trials,
And be faithful to your teachings.
So that we can remain,
Glorious and Blessed Virgin,
True children of God.

Amen.

RP16

There were people of all ages,
Gathered ’round the gable wall,
Poor and humble men and women,
Little children that you called.

We are gathered here before you,
And our hearts are just the same,
Filled with joy at such a vision,
As we praise Your name.

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland,
All my cares and trouble cease,
As we kneel with love before you,
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace.

Though your message was unspoken,
Still the truth in silence lies,
As we gaze upon your vision,
And the truth we try to find.

Here I stand with John the teacher,
And with Joseph at your side,
And I see the Lamb of God,
On the Altar glorified.

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland,
All my cares and trouble cease,
As we kneel with love before you,
Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace.

RP19

Night is falling dear Mother,
And the long day is over.
And before your dear image,
I am kneeling once more.

To thank you for bringing me
Safe through the day.
And to ask you this night
To keep evils away.

Many times, have I fallen,
Mother dear.
Many graces neglected
Since last I knelt here.

Will you not in pity
My dear Mother mild,
Ask Jesus to pardon the sins
Od His child.

In his book they are written,
Against the Last Day.
O Mother ask Jesus,
To wash them away.

For one drop of His blood
Which for sinners is split.
Is sufficient to cleanse,
The whole world from its guilt.

And if ‘ere the dawn,
I should draw my last breath,
And the sleep I should take
Be the long sleep of death.

Be near me, dear Mother
For Jesus’ dear sake,
When my soul on eternity’s
Shore shall awake.

RP24

Our Lady of Knock,
Queen of Ireland,
You gave hope to your people
In a time of distress
And comforted them in sorrow.

You have inspired countless pilgrims
To pray with confidence to your divine Son,
Remembering His promise,
“Ask and you shall receive,
Seek and you shall find”.

Help me to remember
that we are all pilgrims
On the road to Heaven.
Fill me with love and concern
For my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Especially those who live with me.

Comfort me when I am sick,
Lonely or depressed.
Teach me how to take part ever more
Reverently in the Holy Mass.
Give me a greater love of Jesus
In the Blessed Sacrament.
Pray for me now
And at the end of my death.

Amen.

RP27

Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;

Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek
To be console as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying,
That we are born to eternal life.

RP30

Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary
That never was it known that anyone
Who fled to your protection,
Implored you help,
Or sought your intercession
Was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence,
We turn to you,
O Virgin of virgins,
Our Mother.

To you we come, before you we stand,
Sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
Do not despise our petitions,
But in your mercy, hear us
And answer us.

Amen.

RP33

God grant me the serenity,
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardships as the pathway
to peace,
Taking, as He did, this sinful world.

As it is, not as I would have it,
Trusting that He will make
all things right,
If I surrender to His Will,
So that I may be reasonably
happy in this life.

And supremely happy with Him,
Forever and ever in the next.

Amen.

RP36

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside
the still water.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his
name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head
with oil;
My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house
of the Lord for ever.

RP40

Most merciful Jesus,
I turn to You in my need.
You are worthy of my complete trust.
You are faithful in all things.
When my life is filled with confusion, give me clarity and faith.
When I am tempted to despair, fill my soul with hope.

Most merciful Jesus,
I trust You in all things.
I trust in Your perfect plan for my life.
I trust You when I cannot comprehend Your divine Will.
I trust You when all feels lost.
Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.

Most merciful Jesus,
You are all-knowing.
Nothing is beyond Your sight.
You are all-loving.
Nothing in my life is beyond Your concern.
You are all-powerful.
Nothing is beyond Your grace.

Most merciful Jesus,
I trust in You,
I trust in You,
I trust in You.
May I trust You always
and in all things.
May I daily surrender
to Your Divine Mercy.

Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of Mercy,
Pray for us as we turn to you
in our need.

SP-001

A page in the book of memory,
Silently turns today.
We remember you in silence,
And make no outward show.
And what it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.

SP-004

Dad your life was full
of loving deeds,
Forever thoughtful of our
special needs.

Today and tomorrow,
my whole life through,
I will always love and cherish you.

SP-007

Death leaves a heartache,
No one can heal.
Love leaves a memory,
No one can steal.

SP-010

Gone is the face we loved so dear
Silent is the voice we loved to hear.

Too far away for sight or speech,
But not too far for thought to reach.

Sweet to remember him/her
once here,
Who, though absent,
is just as dear.

SP-013

If memories bring us closer,
We are never far apart.
God has you in His keeping,
We have you in our hearts.

SP-016

Silently we grieve,
And brush away our tears,
The memories he/she left behind,
Will last throughout the years.

SP-019

O Angel of God,
My guardian dear.
To whom God’s love,
Commits me here.

Ever this day,
Be at my side.
To light and guard,
To rule and guide.
Amen.

SP-022

A kind word for everyone,
he/she died as he/she lived, everyone’s friend.
His/her cheerful smile, his/her
heart of gold.
The dearest person this world
could hold.

SP-025

You are not forgotten loved one,
Nor will you ever be.
As long as life and memory last,
We will remember thee.

SP-028

Your life was one,
Of thoughtful deeds,
A helping hand,
For other’s needs.

Sincere and true,
In heart and mind,
Beautiful memories,
Left behind.

SP-002

A silent thought, a secret tear,
Keeps your memory ever dear.

God took you home, it was his will,
But in our hearts, you live still.

SP-005

Your memory will always live
in the hearts of those
that have always loved you,
dear (Name).

Like an angel in Heaven
can you watch over your beloved
whom you left behind in deep sorrow.

SP-008

Deep are the memories,
Precious they stay.

No passing of time,
Can take them away.

SP-011

Her nature was loving and giving,
Her heart was made of gold.
And to us who truly loved her,
Her memory will never grow old.

– May she rest in peace.

SP-014

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place,
That no one could ever fill.

SP-017

May God in his tenderness
of His mercy
Hold you close
to His heart.

SP-020

A little lamb too sweet and pure,
Upon the earth to roam,
An angel came so silently,
And took our dear child home

SP-023

Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard but always near,
So loved, so missed, so very dear.

SP-026

We lost a dad with
a heart of gold,
How much we miss him can never be told.

He shared our troubles and helped us along,
If we follow his footsteps,
We will never go wrong.

SP-029

Your smile has gone forever,
Your hand we cannot touch.

We have so many
memories of you,
We loved so much.