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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 at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there: I did not die
"for you to love while he lives, and mourn when he
is dead.
It may be six
or seven years or twenty-two or three,
but will you 'til I call him back, take
care of him for Me?
He'll bring
his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
you'll have his lovely memories as solace for
your grief.
I cannot
promise he will stay, as all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught down there I
want this child to learn.
I've looked
the wide world over in my search for teacher true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's
lanes,
I have
selected you.
Now will you
give him all your love - not think the labor vain,
nor hate Me when I come to call to take him
back again."
I fancied that
I heard them say,
'Dear Lord,
thy will be done,
for all the joy this child shall bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shower
him with tenderness
and love him while we may,
and for the happiness we've known,
forever grateful stay.
And should the
angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
we'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and
try to understand.
-Author Unknown
In the rising of the sun and in its going down
we remember them.
In the blowing of the wind, and the calm of its stillness,
we remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.
In the midpoint of the year, and as its beginning and end,
we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live,
for they are now part of us,
we remember them.