Memorial Folders & Poems

"A beautiful life”

A beautiful life

that came to an end,

he died as he lived, everyone’s friend.

In our hearts a memory will always be kept,

of one we loved,

and will never forget.

A Beautiful Life (him-her)

Lord, I ask for courage: courage to face and conquer my own fears; courage to take me where others will not go.

I ask for strength: strength of body to protect others; strength of spirit to lead others.

I ask for dedication: dedication to my job to do it well; dedication to my community to keep it safe.

Give me, Lord, concern: concern for all those who entrust me; and compassion for those who need me; and please, Lord, through it all be at my side.

A Policeman's Prayer

I’d like the memory of me

to be a happy one,

I’d like to leave an afterglow

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 sunny 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.

After Glow

When I must leave you for a little while,

please do not grieve and shed wild tears.

And hug your sorrow to you

through the years.

But start out bravely with a gallant smile;

And for my sake and in my name,

Live on and do all things the same;

Feed not your loneliness on empty days,

but fill each waking hour in useful ways,

reach out your hand in comfort

and in cheer

and I in  turn will comfort you

and hold you near;

And never, never be afraid to die.

For I am waiting for you in the sky!

Do Not Grieve

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’s gift of snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the autumn’s gentle 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.

Do Not Stand

When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage, give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.  Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate.  Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly, and efficiently to put the fire out.  I want to fill my calling, and to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.  And if, according to my fate, I am to lose my life, please bless with your protecting hand my family, friends and wife.

Fireman's Prayer

Fisherman's Prayer

I'm Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free;

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow;

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. 

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me;

God wanted me now, He set me free.

I'm Free

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; 

He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. 

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Nulla 23rd Psalm

If tears could build a stairway,

and memories a lane,

I would walk right up to Heaven

and bring you back again. 

No farewell words were spoken,

No time to say “Goodbye”

You were gone before we knew it,

and only God knows why. 

My heart still aches with sadness,

and secret tears still flow.

What it meant to love you –

No one can ever know. 

But now I know you want me

to mourn for you no more;

To remember all the happy times,

life still has much in store. 

Since you’ll never be forgotten,

I pledge to you today –

A hollowed place within my heart

is where you’ll always stay.

If Tears Could Build a Stairway 

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free.

Miss me a little – But not too long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me – But let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take

And each must go alone

It’s all a part of the Master’s Plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know

And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds

Miss me – But let me go.

Miss Me But Let Me Go 

God saw she was getting tired,

and a cure was not to be,

So He put His arms around her,

And whispered, “Come with Me.”

With tearful eyes we watched her suffer,

And saw her fade away.

Although we loved her dearly,

We could not make her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Small, frail hands put to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

God Saw Her Getting Tired