Death is just another step along life's changing way,
No more than a gateway to a new and better day.
And parting from our loved ones is so much easier to bear,
Knowing that you've placed them in our loving Father's care.
So death is just a natural thing like the closing of a door,
As we start upon our journey to a new and distant shore.
And no one needs to make this journey undirected and alone,
For God promised us safe passage to this vast and great unknown.
So let your grief be softened and yield not to despair,
For they are only waiting for us to join them there.
'You can shed tears because they are gone
- or you can smile because they lived a good life.
You can close your eyes and pray they will come back
- or you can open them and see all that they have left behind.
Your 'here and now' can be empty because you can't see them
- or you can be full of the joy and love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live in the past
- or you can be happy for tomorrow because of all your yesterdays.
You can remember only that they have gone to a different place
- or you can cherish their memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind
- or you can do what they would want you to -
'smile and open your eyes, love & go on' with your life
as it is a gift to cherish.
