Love the Ones in Your Life

If you love someone... tell them. You never know when the day comes that you'll never have the opportunity again. Better yet take a step further and actually make the effort to spend some quality time with them. I dedicate this blog post to my Opa, who passed away Sunday morning. I know I told him everything I wanted to, but there is always that wish that I visited him more frequently. I wrote this blog post as a way to cope with my loss as well as to reach out to those that have gone through what I am currently going through. Another reason is for everyone to value the people in your lives and spend time with one another while you can. I am a strong believer that the life you live is defined by the loving relationships you experience.
  

I miss and love you Opa! I know you're having a great time being reunited with Oma again.

Here are some great poems I came across about loss of a loved one...

God Saw That He Was Getting Tired

God saw that he was getting tired

And the cure was not to be,

So He put His arms around him

And whispered, "Come with Me."

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer

And saw him fade away.

Although we loved him dearly,

We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Busy little hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

It's lonesome here without you

We miss you so each day,

Our lives aren't the same

Since you went away.

When days are sad and lonely,

And everything goes wrong,

We seem to hear you whisper,

"Cheer up and carry on."

Each time we see your picture,

You seem to smile and say,

"Don't cry, I'm in God's keeping,

We'll meet again someday."

Rhonda Braswell

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I Stood By Your Bed

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached out to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is almost over... I smile and watch you yawning
and say "goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

Author Unknown

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You Can Shed Tears

You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or it can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he’s gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind
Be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he’d want
Smile, open your eyes, and go on

David Harkins

Feel free to share your stories and/or poetry you've either come across or have written yourself. I'd love to read them.