Loss – Woodsmoke and Cardamom

When Love Has Gone

by Lucy M. Young

What do you do when love has gone
And your life seems barren and cold,
When the plans you made and the dreams you shared
Your heart no longer may hold;

When hope and joy have been cast aside
And despair is your constant companion,
When it seems there is nothing worth living for
And you long for a quiet communion

With someone who really can sympathize,
Who can quietly understand
And fill up the void where love once dwelt
With the warmth of a friendly hand?

Well, you hold up your head and you put on a smile
And you walk with your shoulders thrown back;
Just whistle a tune and before very long
You'll be feeling the warmth you now lack.

You'll find it, you know, if you really try -
God never meant us to be sad.
With a smile on your face and a song in your heart
That is real, soon your heart will be glad.

Why Must He Die?

by Lucy M. Young

Why must he die, dear Lord?
He is so young.
He has so much to give,
So much to live for.
He never tried to hurt his fellow man;
Was always ready with a helping hand,
A cheerful word,
A smile.
He is not perfect and he made mistakes
As do we all;
But he was never cruel by design.
I must not question Your decision, Lord.
I must accept Your will;
But, Lord, forgive me when I ask once more,
Why must he die so young?

When Love Has Gone

by Lucy M. Young

What do you do when love has gone,
And your life seems barren and cold;
When the plans you made and the dreams you shared
Your heart may no longer hold;

When hope and joy have been cast aside,
And despair is your constant companion;
When it seems there is nothing worth living for,
And you long for a quiet communion

With someone who really can sympathize,
Who can quietly understand;
And fill up the void where love once dwelt
with the warmth of a friendly hand?

Well, you hold up your head and you put on a smile
And you walk with your shoulders thrown back;
Just whistle a tune, and before very long
You'll be feeling the warmth you now lack.

You'll find it, you know, if you really try,
God never meant us to be sad.
With a smile on your face and a song in your heart
That is real, soon your heart will be glad.

In Memoriam

by Lucy M. Young

Today I visited the cemetery
And walked among the gray memorial stones.
It was so peaceful there -
The sun shone brightly through the new green leaves,
Flowers blossomed around the stones
And birds sang softly, joyously
In praise of springtime's resurrection.

I paused beside the grave of my beloved nephew
To pray and to remember all the joy he'd brought into my life.
I could almost see his happy smile,
The mischief in his twinkling eyes
And hear again his clever witticisms
As he managed to find humor in misfortune.

Our country's flag waved proudly o'er his plaque,
A tribute to his service in Vietnam.
Who knows what horrors he encountered there,
What pain and mental anguish he endured,
The helpless grief to see his buddies fall,
And the depth of loneliness so far from home and family?

But now he is at rest,
His earthly tasks completed.
No longer must he suffer pain or sorrow.
Happiness and peace are his forever
As he rests within the gentle arms of Jesus.

photo: Kenneth W. Burrell - beloved nephew, son, husband, father, brother