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 take,
And love each other for my sake.
O Sweet Jesus, for the sake of Thy Bitter Passion and the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother have mercy on her soul, and let the light of Thy countenance shine upon her.
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.
The Memorare
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.
Prayer for the Souls
in Purgatory
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful grant to the souls of Thy servants departed, the full remission of their sins, that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
TOGETHERNESS
Death is nothing at all - I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was; Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before - only better, infinitely happier and forever - we will all be one together with Christ.
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 heart's,
No human eye can trace,
For many a broken heart is hid,
Beneath a smiling face.
A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home,
That never can be filled.
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.
The happy hours we once enjoyed,
How sweet their memory still,
But death has left a vacant place,
This world can never fill.
How dearly we loved you,
And prayed you might live,
But Jesus just beckoned,
And we had to give.
God gave us strength to bear it,
And courage to fight the blow,
What it has meant to lose you,
God alone will ever know.
May the God of love and mercy,
Care our loved one who is gone,
And bless with consolation,
Those left to carry on.
SAFELY HOME
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.
''Suffer little children to come unto me for
of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.''
Our lady wished a pretty flower,
To lay at Jesus' feet;
Her choice was of the fairest,
A lily pure and sweet.
Not gone from Daddy's memory.
Not gone from Mammy's love,
But gone to shine with Jesus,
In His beautiful home above.
He gazed amid the little ones,
And stopped to pick the best,
Dear NAME was the chosen one,
With Jesus now she rests.
At Heaven's gates she will be waiting,
With that same sweet loving smile;
For she is only gone before us,
Just a little while.
Fold her, O Jesus, in Thy arms,
And let her henceforth be,
A messenger of love between
Our human hearts and Thee.
There is no night
without a dawning,
No Winter without a
Spring,
And beyond death's
dark horizon
Our hearts once
more will sing -
For those who leave us
for a while
have only Gone
Away
Out of a restless,
careworn world
Into a ''Brighter Day''
Helen Steiner Rice
We hold you close within
our hearts,
And there you shall remain,
To walk with us through
out 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.
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 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.
O Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in all the masses being offered all over the world or that will be offered for the soul of Thy servant. Amen.
O Jesus in Thy infinite mercy and through the prayers of the Blessed Mother of Sorrows, have compassion on the poor suffering souls in Purgatory: Oh! bring comfort to them in their pains, shorten their exile, and conduct them finally into Thy Heavenly Kingdom, where with Thy Saints and Angels they shall praise and glorify Thee for all eternity. Amen.
What she suffered she told but few,
She did not deserve what she went through,
Tired and weary she 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 her,
Our hearts cannot tell what to say,
But God only knows how we miss her,
In our home that is lonely today.
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.
In a near and silent graveyard,
Where the trees their branches wave,
Sleeps a kind and loving mother,
In her cold and lonely grave.
She bade no one a last farewell,
She raised her hand to none;
Her spirit flew before we knew,
That she from us had gone.
You can only have one mother,
Patient, kind and true,
No other friend in all the world,
Will be the same to you.
When other friends forsake you,
To mother you will return,
For all her loving kindness,
She asks nothing in return.
As we look upon her picture,
Sweet memories we recall,
Of a face so full of sunshine,
And a smile for one and all.
Sweet Jesus take this message,
To our dear mother up above,
Tell her how we miss her,
And give her all our love.
Pray for us, O dearest mother,
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.
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.
There is a home that lies beyond -
And past it's golden door,
Awaits the one who's now away,
Not lost - just gone before,
And in that home that lies beyond,
The Master will prepare,
A place for you, and when He calls,
You'll meet your loved one there.
They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time or 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.
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to do without.
There is no night without a dawning,
No Winter without a Spring,
And beyond death's dark horizon
Our hearts once more will sing -
For those who leave us for a while
have only Gone Away.
Out of a restless careworn world
into a ''Brighter day''.
After Glow
I'd Like The Memory Of Me
To Be A Happy One.
I'd Like To Leave An After
Glow 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.
They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time or 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.
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.
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 others 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.
We Give Our
Loved Ones
Back to God
We give our loved ones
back to God.
And just as He first gave
them to us
and did not lose them
in the giving,
so we have not lost them
in returning them
to Him ...
for life is eternal,
love is immortal,
death is only a horizon ...
and a horizon is nothing
but the limit
of our earthly sight.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
PRAYER OF
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
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.
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.
Footprints
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. Each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it,"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
The Memorare
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.
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.
The Memorare
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.
His Journey's Just Begun
Don't think of him as gone away -
his journey's just begun,
life holds so many facets -
this earth is only one.
Just think of him 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 must be wishing
that we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched...
for nothing loved is ever lost -
and he was loved so much.
Road To Eternity
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.
But when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the Lord.
Miss Me But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set for me.
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone,
It's all a part of the Master's plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrow in doing
good deeds,
Miss me but let me go.
To Those I Love
And Those Who Love Me
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 awhile 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"
I'm Free
Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
I'm following the path
God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all,
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play,
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at close of day,
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy,
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow,
My life's been full,
I've savoured much,
Good friends, good times,
A loved one's touch,
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief,
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.
A Letter From Heaven
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.
To those I have left behind
Some things I'd like to say.
But first of all to let you know
That I've arrived o.k.
I'm writing this from Heaven,
Where I dwell with God above,
Where there's no more
tears and sadness,
There's just eternal love.
The day I had to leave you,
When my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me,
And said "I welcome you".
Please do not be unhappy,
Just because I'm out of sight,
Remember that I'm with you,
Every morning, noon and night.
And when you feel that gentle breeze,
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.
P.S. God sends His love.
GOD'S GARDEN
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.
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.
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 world's apart;
But you are always
in our prayers,
And forever in our hearts.
PRAYER TO SAINT PIO
Oh Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by love for us that you willed to die on the Cross, I humbly beseech you through your servant Saint Pio, who generously participated in your sufferings who loved you so much and labored so faithfully for the glory of your heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With confidence I beseech you to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of which I ardently desire.
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.
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.
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.
May He 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.
Cardinal Newman.
You can shed tears that she is gone, Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
because you can’t see her, 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 her
and only that she’s gone,
Or you can cherish her memory
and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
When God was making mothers, He must have made a fuss. He spent a lot of time on one And gave that one to us.
Of all the gifts in life, However great or small,
To have you as our mother Was the greatest gift of all. Because you were so special, No words could ever say How much we love and miss you, Today and every day.