You asked, "How am I doing?"  
As I told you, tears came to my eyes...  
    and you looked away and quickly began to talk again.  
All the attention you had given me drained away.  

"How am I doing?" I do better when people listen,  
     though I may shed a tear or two.  
This pain is indescribable.  
If you've never known it you cannot fully understand.  
     Yet I need you.  
          When you look away,  
                 When I'm ignored,  
                      I am again alone with it  
Your attention means more than you can ever know.  

Really, tears are not a bad sign, you know!  
      They're nature's way of helping me to heal...  
      They relieve some of the stress of sadness.  

I know you fear that asking how I'm doing brings me sadness  
       ...but you're wrong.  
The memory of my loved one's death will always be with me,  
    Only a thought away.  
My tears make my pain more visible to you, but you did not  
     give me the pain...it was already there.  

When I cry, could it be that you feel helpless, not knowing  
       what to do?  
You are not helpless,  
And you don't need to do a thing but be there.  
When I feel your permission to allow my tears to flow,  
       you've helped me  
You need not speak.  Your silence as I cry is all I need.  
      Be patient...do not fear.  

Listening with your heart to "how I am doing"  
     relieves the pain,  
     for when the tears can freely come and go, I feel lighter.  

Talking to you releases what I've been wanting to say aloud,  
      clearing space  
            for a touch of joy in my life.  

I'll cry for a  minute or two...  
      and then I'll wipe my eyes,  
           and sometimes you'll even find I'm laughing later.  

When I hold back the tears, my throat grows tight,  
       my chest aches, my stomach knots...  
           because I'm trying to protect you from my tears.  
Then we both hurt...me, because my pain is held inside,  
     a shield against our closeness...and you,  
         because suddenly we're distant.  

    So please, take my hand and see me through my tears...  
         then we can be close again. 

From an Angel on high
a tender message of love was softly whispered into the ear
of this humble scribe....

Weep not for me
now that I have passed.
Remember the laughter, the affection, the joy
not just the recent tears.
Cherish the memories, our hopes and dreams.
Hold fast to the love that we shared.
Be happy with the time we spent together
and being anew.
For I am not really gone,
I am closer than ever before.

As the morning sun rises
and throughout the busy day...I am with you.
Until the setting sun disappears on the horizon
and we watch the day turn into night...I am here.
You may feel a faint breeze stir round your head, while you slumber
as I gently kiss your forehead, "Good night."
The stars that shine so brightly in my heavenly sky
help me watch over you and keep you from harm.

I am the wind in the trees
and the song of a bird.
I am moonbeams in a midnight sky
and a glorious rainbow after the storm.
I am morning dew
and freshly-fallen snow.
I am a butterfly flying overhead
and a puppy happily at play.
I am a smile on a stranger's face
a gentle touch
a warm embrace.

Listen to the wind for my message of love.
Watch the sun rise and set in the sky with me.
Feel my essence encircle you with warm memories.
Open your heart to know...I am not gone.
Reach deep into your soul...You will find me.
I am here.
Have no fear.
I am with you,
Always.

I find an old photograph
and see your smile.
As I feel your presence anew,
I am filled with warmth
and my heart remembers love.

I read an old card
sent many years ago
during a time of turmoil and confusion.
The soothing words written then
still caress my spirit
and bring me peace.

I remember who you used to be
the laughter we shared
and wonder what you have become.
Where are you now,
Where did you go,
When the body is left behind
and the spirit is released to fly?

Perhaps you are the morning bird
singing joyfully at sunrise,
or the butterfly that dances
so carelessly on the breeze
or the rainbow of colors
that brightens a stormy sky
or the fingers of afternoon mist
delicately reaching over the mountains
or the final few rays of the setting sun
lighting up the skies
edging the clouds with a magical glow.

I miss your being
but I feel your presence,
In whatever form you choose to take,
however you now choose to be.

Your spirit has become for me
a guardian angel on high
guiding, advising, and watching over me.

I remember you.
You are with me
and I am not afraid.

Cry for me no more
the many tears of sadness
My time in this world was over
and it came for me to pass.

Bring the photos of old time
and see them not with tear-filled eyes
But with eyes of joy and laughter
and smile once more with me.

Know that I am in a better place
one without disease
without hatred and without death
This kingdom I now call home

I wait here for you
When your time comes to pass
to ease the transition
from the old to the new.

Cry for me no more.
Remember only the laughter.
For I am in another realm
And I wait to see you again.

                                  

Don’t tell me you know how I feel,
You haven’t walked in my shoes.
Don’t tell me I have other children to love,
That won’t bring back the son that I lost.
Don’t tell me to get out of the house,
Maybe I just want to stay here and mourn
for my lost son.
Don’t tell me it will get better,
From my point of view it will never be better.
Don’t tell me it could be worse,
How much worse than this could it be.
Don’t tell me to trust in God,
I do trust in Him and love Him,
That won’t bring my son back
Don’t tell me to eat and take care of myself,
Maybe the food won’t stay down.
Maybe I don’t care about myself right now.
Don’t tell me to try to get some sleep,
Don’t you think I would love to sleep?
Don’t tell me all this,
You haven’t walked in my shoes.
Do tell me you care.
Do tell me you love me.
Do tell me you will be there if I need you.
If I need to just talk to call you.
Or better yet, you call me.
Just listen, that’s all, just listen.
Do let me cry.
Do let me mourn.
Do let me experience this
terrible loss that I feel.
Do pray for me.
That is all I ask.

                         
By Floria Kelderhouse

I feel like I’ve just existed
And now it’s been a year.
I don’t know how I’ve lived and breathed
Without you being here.

I know you lived your lifetime
As short as that seems to me,
But the pain in my heart is still so great,
Yet I know your spirit is free.

At times I think I hear you
The thoughts come to my mind.
I struggle for the sound of your voice,
But your voice I cannot find.

Yet you come to me in many ways
So I know you did not die,
You want to tell me that you’re close,
And to please stop asking Why.

Our lives on earth seem all too brief,
Or brief as it seems to me.
But where you are is forever,
God calls that Eternity!

By Joy Curnutt

I Hear Each Tear Fall On Her Face

My Mom doesn't know I'm watching her
but I'm watching her just the same.
And I hear each tear fall on her face
at the very mention of my name.

She says it sounds like music to her ears
and can be heard over a crowd.
Oh, I hear each tear fall on her face
when my name is said aloud.

I watch her stumble through each day
as she wishes the day would end.
And I hear each tear fall on her face
as she talks of me to her friends.

But there are few who truly understand
Oh this I've heard her proclaim.
And I hear each tear fall on her face
Will my Mom ever be the same?

I know that her smiles light up a sky
But, I don't see that smile today.
Oh, but I hear each tear fall on her face.
Her blue skies turned to gray.

Oh, I send to her my warmest hug
with the rays of the morning sun.
Then, I won't hear a tear fall on her face
For I shall erase them one by one.

Yes, my Mom doesn't know I'm watching her.
But I'm watching her just the same.
And if I hear a tear fall on her face
I'll just softly whisper her name!

~Author Unknown~