Not, How Did She Die, But How Did She Live?

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

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

These are the units to measure the worth

Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Not, what was her church, nor what was her creed?

But had she befriended those really in need?

Was she ever ready, with word of good cheer,

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,

But how many were sorry when she passed away.

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Perhaps they are not

stars in the sky,

but rather openings

where our loved ones

shine down

to let us know they are happy.

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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

summer 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.

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As We Look Back

As we look back over time

We find ourselves wondering .....

Did we remember to thank you enough

For all you have done for us?

For all the times you were by our sides

To help and support us .....

To celebrate our successes

To understand our problems

And accept our defeats?

Or for teaching us by your example,

The value of hard work, good judgement,

Courage and integrity?

We wonder if we ever thanked you

For the sacrifices you made.

To let us have the very best?

And for the simple things

Like laughter, smiles and times we shared?

If we have forgotten to show our

Gratitude enough for all the things you did,

We're thanking you now.

And we are hoping you knew all along,

How much you meant to us.

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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.

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No farewell words were spoken,

no time to say goodbye, you were

gone before we knew it, and only

God knows why.

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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.

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Serenity Prayer

God grant me the Serenity to

Accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things

I can, and the Wisdom to know

the difference.

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The best and most beautiful

Things in the world cannot

Be seen or even touched.

They must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller