This page is dedicated to my Mom and Dad.
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 seems all to 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.
Author Unknown
Mom went to be with the Lord in December, 1994. Dad followed in March, 1995. I miss them both so very much. Nothing can ever prepare us for this kind of loss. I hope this poem is as comforting to you as it is to me.Mom had been sick for several years but, being the feisty lady she was, she refused to let her physical problems keep her from living a full life. She and I had talked several times about her living in an apartment alone (she and dad were divorced in 1987) and she told me that I shouldn't worry; that if she was alone when she died - she wouldn't really be alone! Jesus would take her hand and lead her to heaven. She had made all of her "arrangements" in order to spare us when the time came. She was ready, and had been for some time. She went suddenly; I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. She died peacefully; no sign of stress or pain. Jesus truly did take her hand and take her home!
Dad was in the hospital when he went to be with the Lord. My brother and I had traveled to Louisville two weeks prior to his death and were able to share some wonderful moments with him. He had been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure three years before. I had noticed at mom's funeral that he was loosing a lot of weight and told him to start taking better care of himself! We communicated quite a bit during January and February. He was failing and we knew it. Little by little, his body was shutting down. Unlike mom, dad had always been terrified of illness and the prospect of death. He fought and fought, until his poor body just gave out. My sister was at his side when the Lord came for him. She told us that the clouds had broken for a few minutes and that the sunlight was streaming in the window. He took a breath, let it out, and slipped away.
They're with Jesus and I know they're busy praising and worshipping the Lord. But I still like to picture them keeping an eye on us!
And Share His Love With A Friend!
My link to Rita's website was broken. Apparently she took her site off-line or
maybe moved and I wasn't aware. At any rate, I appreciate her hard work in creating
these graphics and hope to "find" her again!