Words Of Comfort Do not stand 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 glint on snow, I am the sunlight on ripening grain, I am the soft refreshing rain. When you awake in the morning 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 weep, I am not there I did not die. Death is Nothing at all Death is Nothing at all. I have only slipped away in the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way that you always used. Put no difference in your tone, Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; There is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well Henry Scott Holland (1847 – 1918) Miss me - but let me go When I come to the end of my road, And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom filled room, Why ery for a soul set free? Miss me a little – but not too long And not with you 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 part of the Master's plan I'm set on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart, Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, Miss me – but let me go Remember me when I am gone away Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning to stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me, you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad. Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894) Life Goes On If I should go before the rest of you Break not a flower Nor inscribe a stone Nor when I am gone Speak in a Sunday voice But be the usual selves That I have known Weep if you must Parting is hell But life goes on So .... sing as well Joyce Grenfell 1910-1979