[JeanLynn81]

Some of you don't know this, because I only told a few people...it is really hard for me to talk about...

But, my mother is at home on hospice. Her time is very limited. She has been at home for a little over a week, and it has been very exhausting and heart breaking for all of us. Every single day she gets weaker and weaker. A few days ago she lost her ability to eat. Then the next day was the last day she opened her eyes. Today, she can't swallow or speak anymore. It is very tough to watch, and I can't even use words to explain how hard it is...

On top of it all, we got the news that my grandpa has just under 3 months left. My mom never got her affairs in order (no will or anything), so I have been on the phone and spending alot of time going though mounds of paperwork and bills and 401ks and pension plans, and stock, insurance....my head is going to explode!

THEN to add the cherry to the top of it all...Alyssa is an ill child right now, and I have a doctor appointment in 2 hours. I hope its nothing big, but this girl has what looks like either rubella or chicken pox...but the bumps started on her knees and elbows. Poor thing is itchy and feverish, and its a good thing I could get her in right away! Some of the bumps are opening into sores. I pray its not staph...but it doesn't look like it so thats good I guess.

Anyways....I'm done with my novel and catching y'all up, so now here is the reason I started this thread to begin with-I need a really nice poem to read at my mother's memorial service (which our church is paying for, but they need us to help with the bible passages, songs, etc).

I want a poem that involves a little girl losing her grandmother. I would search the net myself, but I am SO pressed for time here lately, and I know some of you said you would do anything to help. So can someone help find something nice for me? The more I cry after reading it, the better...

*sigh* Ok time to go calamine up the baby again.

[mommy2067]

I am on a mission for you hon..I am looking at poems now and will hopefully come up with some for you later today...I am so sorry that you are going through so much right now...and everything that has been left to you to get in order...I hope that Alyssa will be okay and feel better soon....Just know that I am thinking about you all and sending prayers and hugs your way....Peace

[mommy2067]

Here are a few poems I have come across..I did get them all from free poetry sites...I will see what else is out there but for now here you go Jean, with hugs and love to you:

There's magic in a Grandma's touch,
And sunshine in her smile.
There's love in everything she does
To make our lives worthwhile.

We can find both hope and courage
Just by looking in her eyes.
Her laughter is a source of joy,
Her words are warm and wise.

There is a kindness and compassion
To be found in her embrace,
And we see the light of heaven
Shining from a Grandma's face.



Miss Me, But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free


Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me - but let me go


For this is a journey that we must all take
And each must go alone
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home


When you are lonely, and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me - but let me go

Anon


If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I’d walk right up to heaven
And bring you home again.


Those we love remain with us
For love itself lives on,
And cherished memories never fade
Because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be
More than a thought apart,
Far as long as there is memory,
They'll live on in the heart.


http://www.funerals-poems.com/spendi...ith-jesus.html

My Grandma
by MdHPoet

Thinking back to the past,
Some memories that seem to last,
You were there to care for me and to stay,
You were there whenever my mom was away,

I remember when you tuck me to sleep,
And how you always comfort me and make me believe,
That you will be there through out the night,
As I slumber with your hands and mine entwined,

Grandma, when you went away,
A part of me went astray,
Knowing I would never hear you laugh or cry again,
Was enough to break my heart again and again,

But remembering how you lived,
Is enough to make me believe,
That the memories of you told,
Will be in my mind and my soul,

Thank you grandma,
For caring for your daughter who is my ma,
Thank you grandma,
For all the times you were my grandma,

I will miss you grandma,
I promise we will keep you in our hearts while we watch you from afar,
I love you grandma,
I will always love you, remember you, respect you, my grandma

[AussieD]

My prayers go out for you and the family. I have some idea what you're going through, having been there myself, so if you ever want to talk I'm here. At my Mom's funeral we used the Evie song 'Shepherd of Love' and even those who were not Christians were struck by the words. John 14:1-6 is a good passage we also had. I'll see if I can think of anything else

[Labhaoise]

Jean, I'm so sorry that things have gone downhill so fast. The only thing I can think of at the moment is actually a song by Beverley Mitchell (she was in 7th Heaven), it's called "Angel". Here are the lyrics;

Have you ever met an angel
Whose smile is like the sun
Whose laugh is like a melody
That reaches everyone
Have you ever hugged an angel
Swept up in their embrace
And swear, there’s nothing
In this world that makes you feel that safe

Have you ever really loved an angel
Once you have, you’ll never be the same again
Have you ever had to let go of an angel
Say goodbye, let ‘em fly
My angel
My best friend

Have you ever felt the strength of an angel
When you needed it the most
Lifted by those gentle wings
You know you’re not alone
Every now and then
I feel the peace inside
Wherever life may take me
I’m guided by that light

Have you ever really loved an angel
Once you have, you’ll never be the same again
Have you ever had to let go of an angel
Say goodbye, let ‘em fly
My angel
My best friend

'Cause I have really loved an angel
(And I will never be the same again) How could I ever be the same
'Cause I have had to let go of my angel
Say goodbye (goodbye), let 'em fly
My angel
My best friend


I think it's a lovely song, and from what you've written about your mum, I think that she's an angel.
We also used the John 14:1-6 passage for my Nan's funeral.

Here's another poem I found:
Grandmother.

We had a wonderful grandmother,
One who never really grew old;
Her smile was made of sunshine,
And her heart was solid gold;
Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful grandmother,
And that' s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because
She's still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let's make sure
She will like what she sees.
(http://www.personalfuneralceremonies...neral-Ceremony)

You were my mother and my friend

You were my mother and my friend,
Which was unusual.
Somehow our characters still blend:
Your wisdom and my will.
I turned, and you were there for me;
I spoke, you understood.
I felt cared for, but also free;
You loved, and I was good.
I'm fortunate that I was born
To someone just like you;
I love you still. Though you are gone,
You live in what I do.
(http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/...eral-poem.html)

Praying for you (((HUGS)))

[QueenAngie]

Prayers for you and yours, Jean!
(((Hugs))) too!

Just reading these poems has me in tears for you.
Wishing we all could be right there giving you a helping hand.




To My Daughter with Love on the Important things in life
Submitted by: eve
Author: Susan Polis Schutz
this is from a framed piece in a catalog I have, I am uploading it into my gallery, so you can see how she laid it out. (this can be edited to be from a father I am sure

A mother tries to provide her daughter with insight
into the important things in life
in order to make her life
as happy and fulfilling as possible.

A mother tries to teach her daughter
to be good, always helpful to other people
to be fair, always treating others equally
to have a positive attitude at all times
to always make things right when they are wrong
to know herself well
to know what her talents are
to set goals for herself
to not be afraid of working too hard to reach her goals.

A mother tries to teach her daughter
to have many interests to pursue
to laugh and have fun every day
to appreciate the beauty of nature
to enter into friendships with good people
to honor their friendships and always be a good friend
and to particularly respect and love our elder members
to use her intelligence all times
to listen to her emotions
to adhere to her values

A mother tries to teach her daughter
to not be afraid to stick to her beliefs
to not follow the majority when the majority is wrong
to carefully plan a life for herself
to vigorously follow her chosen path
to enter into a relationship with someone worthy of herself
to love this person unconditionally with her body and mind
to share all that she has learned in her life with this person

If I have provided you with an insight
into most of these things
then I have succeeded as a mother
in what I hoped to accomplish in raising you
if many of these slipped by
while we were all so busy
I have a feeling you know them anyway
One thing I am sure of though,
I have taught you to be proud of the fact
that you are a woman equal to all men and
that I have loved you every second of your life
I have supported you at all times
as a mother, as a person, and as a friend
I will always continue to Cherish and love
everything about you
my beautiful daughter.



Beloved Mother
Submitted by: Michelle Who
Author: Michelle
A Beloved Mother And Very Best friend,
Dearest of all people, with a love that knows no end.
A playmate to her Children's Children,
She's both Grandma and a Friend.
Full of Childhood memories at the park and beach,
So fond and true all within our minds reach.
Blessed with beauty and an innocent heart,
She is Fairest of God's most exquisite art.
A Daughter, a Sister, a Wife and a Mom,
The Bride of Christ she has now become.
Her purpose fulfilled, and Her Legacy Left,
Again we will see her, and be no longer bereft.

If roses grow in heaven
Submitted by: RoseJen
Author: Susan Polis Schutz
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my mother's arms
And tell her they're from me.

Tell her that I love her and miss her,
And when she turns to smile,
Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
But there's an ache whitin my heart
Because I am missing her today.


To Those I Love And Those Who Love Me
Submitted by: Beccascrapsalot
Author: Unknown
When I am gone, release me. Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears, Be
happy, we had so many years.

I gave you my love and you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for me if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless those memories in your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on
So if you need me , call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
with all my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome You
Home".


Two songs that I personally do not like at funerals:
"In the Garden"
and
"Rock of Ages"

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. –Isaiah 41:10, 13 (New International Version)


There is a time for everything,
And a season for every activity under heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; A time to embrace and a time to refrain, A time to search and a time to give up, A time to keep and a time to throw away, A time to tear and a time to mend, A time to be silent and a time to speak, A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace. –Eccliastes 3:1-8 (New International Version)


John 11: 17-27: "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."
John 14: 1-6: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

[JeanLynn81]

I saw these earlier...thank you so much. I couldn't respond at the time, because I was bawling like a baby! They are such beautiful poems (and song). I had to stop myself from reading them again this time, just so I could post. I see some I want to use. I appreciate the Bible passages! I do need those. I hate to admit that its been awhile since I've picked a Bible up to read.

Even though I have to say...I have never felt God so strongly in my life. The Footprints poem keeps coming up in my head for some reason. Today I was really upset, and could almost feel a calming hand on my shoulder. I feel ashamed for all the times I have prayed for frivilous things. But it is good to know that He is still listening when I need him the most. I think all I had to do was pray and really mean it.

And as for Alyssa. Well she was just a bad stinker butt for the entire doctor visit. The pediatrician (who has been practicing med for over 10 years) said "Hmmm...I don't mean to frighten you, but I don't know what that is. Let me go get another pediatrician to look at it."

THANKFULLY the other ped. seemed sure right away and said it was a rare side effect from a viral infection. I remember a few weeks ago she had a bout of diarrhea that lasted for two days, so that had to have been it. They said it will take at least three weeks to go away on its own, and until then its oatmeal baths, hydrocortisone cream and hydroxyine every 6 hours to keep her comfortable. Its ok with me because she sleeps like a log. I have to keep long sleeves and pants on her at all time so she doesn't scratch.

I also have to bring her back in if a) she isn't rid of it in 3 weeks, b) her fever reaches over 99.5, and/or c) she gets any sores in her mouth or eyes, as that is a rarer and more serious side effect.

They have me so worried! They told me to look up "Erythema multiforme minor" on the internet, and its alot to take in. *sigh* But I do have some free time and can't sleep. I think tomorrow I will take some pictures of it and upload it here so other moms can see what it looks like and know what to do.

Anyways...I rented the movie Wanted and I think I'm going to go watch it. Thanks so much for the poems and the support. It means a great deal.

[angelic_ky]

i'm sorry Jean

[mcmama]

I remember this. And really, painful though it is, it's a privilege to be a part of it. You get to watch her leave this world. Slowly. With the people she loves. You watch all the body processes, all the interactions, shut down. Yet she's still here. And so are you.

And little stinky butt is keeping you grounded.

One step at a time with all the paper. For now, just your mom and Alyssa are enough.

[2girls]

Jean-I haven't been through this with my mom, but I have been through it with my Grandmother.
I just want to send you some