Moving forward.
After I spoke with his mother, sitting here dwelling on all this was driving me crazy, so I pulled out my memory boxes.... stuff the X didn't want. I found 37 photos. They range from a photo I took of him messing around on our first date to two years ago when we went to the Grand Canyon together. Happy memories. Wonderful memories. As I flipped through each one, I found myself smiling, grateful that I was so blessed for so many good years...
And as I went through them, I found this poem. He wrote it when we were in high school. The year he gave me the promise ring. I'm wondering what you guys think of it because if it sounds appropriate I'd like to read it at the memorial service:
Autumn's Life, by David Abell
The leaves are all gone now, gone;
gone to lie on the forest floor...
as winter begins to open its door.
The days once longer, grow shorter and shorter.
Now is the time for peace...
peace in the woods of the Lord.
Peace as the animals enter their holes in the dark, earthy deep...
peace as they enter a long winter's sleep.
I watch a deer as she seeks out a thicket...
to hide her new fawn somewhere within it.
I sit and wonder about life.
Like Autumn, a man's life must come to an end.
For it is God's will;
for all to be still.
Then I feel it...
Then in the night... I see a great light...
as an Angel of the Lord appears in my sight.
He says, God has come to take me... he who is great, has sealed my fate.
So I see my world for the last time.
Feeling like the leaf which must fall.
For the leaves are all gone now, gone.
Gone to lie on the forest's floor....
And thus for me... Death...
has come and opened it's door.
If's it's not too dark, I'm thinking about putting it with a collage of all those photos and I'll give one to my son, one to my in-laws and one to my x's best friend. And in the process help me close my door as well. So I'd appreciate honest comments please. Thanks!
And as I went through them, I found this poem. He wrote it when we were in high school. The year he gave me the promise ring. I'm wondering what you guys think of it because if it sounds appropriate I'd like to read it at the memorial service:
Autumn's Life, by David Abell
The leaves are all gone now, gone;
gone to lie on the forest floor...
as winter begins to open its door.
The days once longer, grow shorter and shorter.
Now is the time for peace...
peace in the woods of the Lord.
Peace as the animals enter their holes in the dark, earthy deep...
peace as they enter a long winter's sleep.
I watch a deer as she seeks out a thicket...
to hide her new fawn somewhere within it.
I sit and wonder about life.
Like Autumn, a man's life must come to an end.
For it is God's will;
for all to be still.
Then I feel it...
Then in the night... I see a great light...
as an Angel of the Lord appears in my sight.
He says, God has come to take me... he who is great, has sealed my fate.
So I see my world for the last time.
Feeling like the leaf which must fall.
For the leaves are all gone now, gone.
Gone to lie on the forest's floor....
And thus for me... Death...
has come and opened it's door.
If's it's not too dark, I'm thinking about putting it with a collage of all those photos and I'll give one to my son, one to my in-laws and one to my x's best friend. And in the process help me close my door as well. So I'd appreciate honest comments please. Thanks!
Replies
I think it is almost perfect! I don\'t know what I would do differently, but I am sure the others will have good advice and comments too! Do you mind if I make a copy of this poem. It really made me feel. Again I am sorry you have to do all this but you are somewhat prepared and have more strength than a lot of people. So I know what ever you do will be just right. (((HUGS)))
He wrote this back that far? It seems so appropriate for his situation. It seems to fit how his life ended. I can\'t say if it\'s too dark but it sure seems to fit what he and you all are now going through.
I would ask your son what he thinks about it. I like the idea of a collage of all those photos but I wouldn\'t know what\'s appropriate. I\'ve only attended three funerals and those were many years ago.
I\'m glad you looked back at the old photos and pulled good memories of your ex into your life.
I think it\'s perfect. Sort of erie that he was thinking of death such a long time ago... but it works.
I did a photo collage of many pictures of me and my Dad for his viewing. The photos and collages are something I have seen at many viewings over the past 10 years or so. You may want to do that, but at the very least, I would give them all to your son.
what a great poem. your x must have been gifted indeed. had to hide my tears at work...hugs
Since he wrote this, I think it is most appropriate. Take care of yourself in the coming days - stay strong! You are in all of our thoughts