Poems & Liturgy From Holiday Service 2004
A Lifetime Wish
If I could have a lifetime wish
A dream that would come true.
I’d pray to God with all my heart
For yesterday and you.
A thousand words can’t bring you back.
I know because I’ve tried.
And neither will a million tears
I know because I’ve cried.
You left behind my broken heart
And happy memories too.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
Author unknown
Just a note…
It’s been five years since you fell asleep inside of me,
God called you back home.
I miss you so much, but I know that you are safe.
You’re doing such a great job, being a big brother.
You really know how to use your wings
to keep up with your litter brother.
You help spark your little sister’s wild imagination.
You bring so much to us everyday.
I pray each night for God
to hold you tight and give you hugs each day.
Until we meet again,
I will continue to pray,
and give God thanks for my special boy,
While I watch the little ones play.
Love Mommy
In memory of Zachary Andrew Schmit
Read and Written by Elizabeth Schmit
~ You’re Always In My Heart ~
The day you died my heart went cold,
The day you died I felt so old,
But now I know you’re just fine
I will never forget that you are also mine.
You are here in spirit, though it’s not the same,
As if you were here in person, but God is not to blame.
He took you to Heaven with love in His heart
For us it’s a road of grief,
But you’ll show us where to start.
Although you were here for a short while
I hope I’m on your list for your Heavens speed dial.
You showed me how to love,
And you showed me how to care,
You showed me how to love someone,
Who was oh so very rare.
For the 3 days you were here,
You really made it show,
That you could make a difference and
Make love grow and grow.
Kilian, when I see you again,
I will hug you with all my might.
At the pearly gates of Heaven
It will feel totally just right.
Love, Mandy
In loving memory of Kilian Richard Donahue
December 22 – 25, 2003
Written and read by Mandy Zweber
Whispers Of Comfort
In Memory of Preston Crooks
Written and Read By Deb Heide
When the hour is quiet and darkness comes
I’m filled with aching pain, missing my little one.
I search for words, words to pray.
But grief has taken my words away.
How will I endure another day without your sweet embrace?
I miss holding you in my arms and pressing kisses on your face.
I visit your grave and feel I can hardly breathe.
Somehow I feel you need me and it hurts to walk away and leave.
My soul is in turmoil. I lie here awake.
The feelings of despair are hard for me to shake.
Memories and grief steal away my sleep.
I cannot escape the tears or the endless need to weep.
I hear God’s whisper in the night,” Trust me. I love you so.
I hold your baby close to my heart. I’ll never let him go.”
“But God”, I ask, “Where are you? Don’t you hear my prayer!
I don’t think you understand. I don’t think you care!”
Again God whispers in the dark, “Trust me. I’ll see you through.
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted too.
Life brings incredible sadness but there are also seeds of joy!
Your little one is safe with Me. I watch over your little boy.”
“You can lean on Me when you feel your heart will break.
Let Me carry you through the storm and help you with the ache.
I am close to the broken hearted. I will make you whole.
I will give you rest and I will restore your soul.
Thoughts of heaven fill my head and I imagine seeing you there.
Light and love, laughter and warmth, you’re in the angels care.
Run and play my little one, your memory stays with me.
I’ll blow a kiss toward heaven until your face again I see.
© 2004 by Deb Heide
Please Give a Kiss
We’ve filled out hearts full of holiday cheer
And shopped for presents for loved ones this year.
The house is dressed up with garland and lights
that sparkle and shine though the holiday nights.
But even with all of the holiday bliss
There’s someone we lost that we terribly miss.
And as the Christmas day draws near
We wish with all of our hearts she was here.
She’s living her life way up past the stars,
Somewhere past Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.
She’s spending her Christmas in Heaven, you see
And last night as I slept, a dream came to me.
I was looking in her eyes and holding her tight
And realized that someday, when the time is right~
I’ll love her forever, in Heaven that is,
Though in my heart she already lives.
She’s left many gifts for us deep down inside
That we find everyday with our eyes open wide.
Each one is unique and wrapped brightly in love,
They shine from our hearts as she shines from above.
A special angel now hangs from our tree
For we are no longer a family of three.
And since we can’t give her an earthly gift
We’re asking God: “Please give her a kiss.”
In loving memory of Hope Elizabeth Shiflett
And her angel sibling born in 2004
I’m Spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ This Year
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below;
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular;
Please wipe the tear;
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear;
But the sounds of music can’t compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring;
It’s beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, but please remember, dear;
That I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I cannot tell you of the splendor,
or of the peace inside this place;
Can you imagine Christmas with Our Savior face to face?
I will ask Him to light your spirit as I tell Him of your love.
So then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your heart be joyful and let your spirit sing.
For I am spending Christmas in Heaven
And walking with the King.
Author Unknown
Excerpt from the Kaddish – The Mourner’s Prayer (the Jewish Tradition)
Leader: In the rising of the sun and at its going down,
All: We remember them.
Leader: At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
All: We remember them.
Leader: At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
All: We remember them.
Leader: At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer,
All: We remember them.
Leader: At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
All: We remember them.
Leader: At he beginning of the year and when it ends,
All: We remember them.
Leader: When we are weary and in need of strength,
All: We remember them.
Leader: When we are lost and sick at heart,
All: We remember them.
Leader: When we have joy we crave to share,
All: We remember them.
Leader: When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
All: We remember them.
Leader: When we have achievements that are based on theirs,
All: We remember them.
All: For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are a part of us, and we will never forget them.
My Dearest Noah,
I carried you with me for 28 weeks, but a life outside was not meant to be. When you were born, I remember looking at your cute little nose and your perfect feet. Noah, you were so tiny. Oh, how I wish you were snuggled in my arms; but I take comfort knowing you are safe in the arms of Jesus. I miss you and love you very much. Until we meet again, rest well my little angel.
Love Mommy
Michele Priebe
6-23-04
My Dearest Samuel,
At 25 weeks, the doctors said it was time to meet you. Early, yes, but everything looked ok. Then, when you were born, the doctor said, “I am so sorry but I see the same thing.” I will never forget the look on your Daddy’s face when he said, “Oh, dear God, not again.” We asked the doctors to bring you to us and we held you as you took your final breath. What a brief but precious time we had with you, Samuel. I take small comfort knowing you have your brother with you in Heaven. I miss you and love you very much. Until we meet again, rest well my little angel.
Love Mommy
Michele Priebe
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