Father, You know my dearest wish -
To walk in comfort, free of the pain that holds me in its grasp.
You know how much I've prayed for sweet release -
At first with faith in quick deliverance,
Later with hope,
Hardly daring to believe I could be freed.
At times I've been so angry with You, Lord.
Forgive me.
I've wept in my despair and tried to bargain;
But now my tears are dried I am resigned -
Your will be done;
And if it be my lot in life to live with pain
So be it,
Only grant me strength to bear it with a smile,
And quietly without complaint accept my cross.
Lucy (right) with her “little Mother” Lula G. Edmunds
Dear little mother, I am so glad that you are finally at rest And happy with your Lord. I'll miss you, oh so much, But knowing you are free at last From all the loneliness you knew on earth Will help me bear the sorrow of your passing.
You worked so hard and had so little - No luxuries and just the bare necessities of life; But you were always grateful For every little thing that came your way: A home-made valentine, A small plant from my garden, A single rose, The little tree we planted for you long ago On Mother's Day.
You loved us, And you sacrificed so much That we might have a better life Than you had ever known. Selfishly, unthinkingly I took And gave so little in return; But Mother dear, I loved you, And I am so very sorry for my thoughtlessness And for my unforgivable neglect of you.
I know you're happy now; No more loneliness or sorrow, No more heartache, no more pain. You're with the ones you loved and missed so much - Your beloved mother and your precious grandson; Your special daughter and your one true love. God bless you, Mother dear; And 'though I miss you more than I can say, I'm glad you're with the Lord And may He hold you safely in His arms forever.
Lord, teach us to forgive For only by forgiving can we ever hope To be forgiven, Or find the peace of mind and heart we need To go on living. Only if we're able to forgive Can we truly love each other as You asked.
I thank you, Lord, For helping me forgive a friend Who hurt me deeply long ago. For many wasted years I bore ill will and anger. It festered in my mind And grew to such proportions That my entire life was tainted and controlled By bitterness and cynicism.
Then one glad day You softly spoke to me And I forgave my friend. A cruel weight was lifted from my heart. My soul was flooded with such peace and joy The world looked beautiful to me again. My mind and heart and soul were cleansed And I was free once more To live and love and serve.
If I should die tonight don't grieve for me; Just thank the Lord I'm finally at peace, Free of pain and sadness, My heart no longer seeking lasting happiness.
I have enjoyed my life as best I could In spite of daily put-downs and complaints About my failure to fulfill my duties Satisfactorily.
I've tried so hard to please, To be and do what was expected of me. Perhaps I've tried too hard to fit myself into the mold Of what I ought to be, Ignoring what I am.
But I have failed to fit that ideal image For I am all too human. Life passed me by while I was trying to conform, So now I feel that death can't be more disappointing Than my wasted life has been.
Now once again I say Don't grieve for me. Rejoice that I may rest in peace at last.
If you really love me let me go. Let me be free to think and feel And be my own unique and special person. Hold me not so tightly That my hopes and dreams are smothered By your possessive love.
Set me free. If I do not return to you 'Twas never meant to be; But if I do, Love me deeply, trustingly, And I will rest forever Close to your heart.
Woodsmoke and Cardamom 