I met Mary through our mutual good friend Vicki Jones several years ago. Mary, Vicki and I and several of our other friends would get together once a month for lunch. My first impression of Mary when I met her was that she was a very warm, caring, nice person. She always gave each of us a smile and a hug hello and goodbye when we'd meet for lunches. I sometimes have jewelry for sale and Mary bought several bracelets from me to give to her daughters. I have 2 poems I'd like to share: The first one is "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me"
If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say, I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready, in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die, I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love
we shared, and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you, and maybe see you smile, but then I fully realized,
that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same way,
There's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true,
Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand, and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart;
For every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.
"To Say Goodbye"
I'm sorry when I had to leave
I couldn't say goodbye.
Please know that thought I'm gone from you,
My love will never die.
My essence blossoms deep inside
The ones I loved so dear.
I stand beside you every day,
Each time you shed a tear.
Though hugs and kisses I can't give,
And milestones I can't share,
You need to know a part of me
Is with you everywhere.
Some day this will make perfect sense
As it does now to me,
And we will laugh and love and live
In joy ~ eternally.
My heart and deepest sympathy goes out to all of Mary's loved ones. She was a beautiful person, and she will be missed.
