Angel Footprint Poems

A DAY, A WEEK, A LIFETIME

When I wake up in the morning
I ask myself
How will I get through this day
Without You

As I dress and prepare to start my day
I wonder
How will I go on
Without You

As the day slowly slips away
I remember how you made me laugh
And I smile
Without You

At the end of the day
As I prepare to close my eyes
I know in my HEART
I couldn't have gotten through the day
WITHOUT YOU

Author Unknown

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A Limb Fallen

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't just stare at the wall.
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again."

Author unknown

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A MEMORY HUG

Your loss has left a hole in your heart.
That hole never goes away...
you learn to live with it.
With acceptance of the loss
and changes in your life,
the pain lessens.
Eventually memories fill up the space,
but it never goes away.
Then, when you least expect it,
a memory spills out
of the hole in your heart
and washes you clean again with tears.
Think of it as a "MEMORY HUG"

Author Unknown

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An Angel's Plea

Mama, mama, please don't cry.
I'm in heaven, looking down.
I watch you day and night.
I watch you smile.
I watch you cry.
We'll be together again one day.
But in your heart, I'm with you always.
Mama, mama, please don't cry.
You loved me then.
You love me more now.
You played with me when I felt sick.
You read me stories and taught me to pray.
You held me when monsters entered my dreams.
Mama, I am safe in heaven now.
Mama, mama, please don't cry.
I loved you then.
I love more now.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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And That Is Dying

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"
And that is dying....
Henry Van Dyke

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An Old Lady's Poem

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?


A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?


Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"


Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.


Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.


Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.


I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.


I'm a small child of ten... with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters, who love one another.


A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.


A bride soon at twenty—my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.


At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.


A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.


At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.


At fifty, once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.


Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.



For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.


I'm now an old woman.... and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.


The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.


But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.


I remember the joys, I remember the pain,

And I'm loving and living life over again.


I think of the years, all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.


So open your eyes, nurses, open and see
Not a crabby old woman; look closer.... see ME!


When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was felt that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Ireland. The old lady's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the North Ireland Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on her simple, but eloquent, poem... and this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet. Goes to show that we all leave some footprints in time. Remember this poem when you next meet an old person whom you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.... you will one day be there, too!

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Before I Go

When my life has reached its very end,
And I take that final breath;
I want to know I've left behind,
Some "good" before my death.


I hope that in my final hour,
In all honesty I can say:
That somewhere in my lifetime,
I have brightened someone's day.


That maybe I have brought a smile
To someone else's face,
And made one moment a little sweeter
While they dwelled here in this place.


Lord, please be my reminder
And whisper softly in my ear ...
To be a "giver," not a "taker,"
In the years I have left here.


Give to me the strength I need,
Open up my mind and my soul . . .
That I might show sincere compassion,
And love to others before I go.


For if not a heart be touched by me,
And not a smile was left behind . . .
Then the life that I am blessed with,
Will have been a waste of time.


With all my heart, I truly hope
To leave something here on earth . . .
That touched another, made them smile
And gave to my life . . . worth.

Author Unknown

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COMFORT

Surrounded by friends
yet all alone
the one I loved
God has called home
the hugs of friends
helps ease the pain
and I know my loss
is my loved one's gain
but tears now flow
across my face
as I long for just
one more embrace
then comfort comes
and I see Christ's face
He hugs my loved one
and I feel God's grace.

Author Unknown

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Everyone Needs Someone

People need people and friends need friends,

And we all need love for a full life depends-

Not on vast riches or great acclaim,

Not on success or on worldy fame,

But just in knowing that someone cares,

And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers-

For only the knowledge that we're understood,

Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good,

And we rob ourselves of life's greatest need,

When we "lock up our hearts" and fail to heed,

The outstretched hand reaching to find,

A kindred spirit whose heart and mind,

Are lonely and longing to somehow share,

Our joys and sorrows and to make us aware,

That life's completeness and richness depends,

On the things we share with our loved ones,

and friends.

Helen Steiner Rice

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For Such A Little While

God gave you your daughter

For such a little while;

He put a bit of heaven

In the sunshine of her smile.

He took dust from

The brightest twinkling stars

And made her sparkling eyes;

And now, she's gone back home to God,

To play up in the skies.



And though she left so quickly

That your hearts are grieved and sad,

We know she lives with God

And her small heart is glad.



And though your precious darling

Was just a rosebud small;

She'll bloom in all her beauty

On the other side of the wall.



Helen Steiner Rice

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Friendship Is A Priceless Gift

Friendship is a priceless gift

that cannot be bought or sold.

But its value is far greater,

than a mountain made of gold.

For gold is cold and lifeless

it can neither see nor hear,

and in the time of trouble

it is powerless to cheer,

it has no ears to listen nor heart to understand,

It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand.



So when you ask God for a gift

Be thankful if he sends not diamonds,

pearls or riches but the love of real TRUE FRIENDS.



Helen Steiner Rice

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GRIEVING SILENTLY

Why must I grieve silently,
When my heart is so loudly screaming?
The emptiness I feel is consuming me,
Oh God, how I wish I were dreaming.
The silence around me is deafening,
For nobody knows what to say,
To comfort this agony I'm feeling,
Since my daughter went away.
And each day the sun continues to rise,
And the earth is still turning,
Though my world has come to a screeching halt,
No one can ease my yearning.
For a part of me has vanished,
And a part of my heart has died,
And no one can hear my heartache,
Or feel the turmoil I carry inside.
And I'll go on grieving silently,
And exist on a different plane,
And I'll keep my love for her deep in my heart,
Until we see each other again.

Author Unknown

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Good Night Little Angel

I'll throw away the faded ones
and leave fresh ones instead.

I'll stand above the place you lay,
placed there a year ago today.

And once again my heart will break,
and unchecked tears will flow.

With gentle fingers I'll caress,
your name carved in stone.

Then brush away the fallen leaves,
November winds have blown.

I'll dry my eyes, I'll say a prayer, and as I raise my head,
Another grieving mother has just tucked her child in bed.

Unknown Author

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Heart Prints

Whatever our hands touch
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books.
There's no escape.
As we touch we leave our identity.

Oh God, wherever I go today
Help me leave heartprints!
Heartprints of compassion,
Of understanding and love.
Heartprints of kindness
And genuine concern.

May my heart
Touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter
Or an anxious mother
Or perhaps an aged grandfather.
Lord, send me out today
To leave heartprints!
And if someone should say,
"I felt your touch,"
May that someone sense
YOUR LOVE
Touching through me.

~ Author Unknown ~

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How Can I Live Now??

How can I live now,
when life in itself died?
How can I live now,
when nothing will be like it was?
My life goes on, autumn will be winter
and winter will be spring...
Wherever I look, in each flower,
in every smell, you are there...
But still.. How can I live now,
when my hope left me...
Beloved child, help your mum to live...
Help me to go on...
How can I live now, when you aren’t here?

Author Unknown

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If Tears Could Build A Stairway

If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane
We would walk right up to Heaven
And bring you back again



No farewell words were spoken
No time to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why



Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No on will ever know



But know we know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store



Since you’ll never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you’ll always stay



Author Unknown

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I'll Lend You A Child

by Edgar Guest
 
"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine,"  He said.
For you to love - while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care or him for Me?
He'll bring his smiles to gladden you,
And should this stay be brief
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked this world over
In search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd
Life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor count the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to
Take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard then say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that come
And try to understand."

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I'm Free

Don't Grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God has laid you see.
I took his hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.


I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found the peace at the close of day.


If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh, yes these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.


My life's been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee.
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Author Unknown

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I'm Still Here

Friend, please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.


My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.


I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.


I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.


I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.


When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.


I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!


Author Unknown

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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 we once shared,
Miss me--but let me go.


For this is a journey that we all must 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!

Author Unknown

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Missing You

No words I write can ever say,
How much I miss you everyday.
As time goes by the loneliness grows,
How I miss you...nobody knows.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
But all I have are memories,
And a photo in frame.
No one see's me weep.
But the love I have for you,
Is in my heart and mine to keep.
I never stopped loving you,
I don't think I ever will.
Deep inside my heart,
You are with me still.
Heartaches this world are many,
But mine is worse than any.
My heart still aches as I whisper low,
"I need you....and miss you so."
The things we feel so deeply,
Are often the hardest things to say.
But I just can't keep quite anymore,
So I'll tell you anyway.
There is a place in my heart,
That no one can fill.
I love you...and I always will.

Author Unknown

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"My First Christmas In Heaven"

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 away 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.  I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices
bring.  For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones, You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ
this year.

Author Unknown

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Remember Me

To the living I am gone
To the sorrowful, I will never return
To the angry, I was cheated.
But to the happy, I am at peace
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot speak, but I can listen
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So, as you stand upon a shore,
Gazing at a beautiful sea-
Remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And its grand majesty
Remember me.
Remember me in your heart,
Your thoughts and your memories
Of the times we cried,
The times we fought,
The times we laughed,
For if you always think of me,
I will never be gone from your side.

Author Unknown

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Snowy Wings of Heaven

When I picture heaven
There are great things that await
Like fluffy clouds and trumpets
And those gold and pearly gates

I also see the angels
With wings of snowy white
And right above their heads
I see a glow of golden light

They send to me a message
There is so much more to come
A final place to call a home
When days on earth are done

So I face the end with comfort
Because I know of better things
For someday, I too shall earn
A pair of snowy wings

Copyright Lois Dean
Printed with permission

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The Gift Of Lasting Love

Love is much more than a tender caress

and more than bright hours of gay happiness,

For a lasting love is made up of sharing

both hours that are 'joyous' and also 'despairing'?

It's made up of patience and deep understanding

and never of selfish and stubborn demanding,

It's made up of climbing and steep hills together

and facing with courage life's stormiest weather

And nothing on earth or in heaven can part

a love that has grown to be part of the heart,

And just like the sun and the stars and the sea,

this love will go on through eternity -

For 'true love' lives on when earthly things die,

for it's part of the Spirit that soars to the sky.

Helen Steiner Rice

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The Gift of Life

The gift of life is ours today
to mold and shape like blocks of clay
each day unveils and open door
that wasn’t open there before.

The gift of life is ours today
to use before it ticks away
like sand within an hourglass
for this day too is soon to pass.

Our Yesterdays have all been spent
they can’t be saved or sold or lent
the gift of life is ours today
to worship, work, or rest and play.

The hours pass so quickly by
we sometimes laugh and sometimes cry,
there is so much we need to do.

If we would have a dream come true
who knows which day will be our last
before it fades into the past?

Our time is precious come what may
the gift of life is ours today

Author unknown

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There Are No Words

There are no words ...what can I say?
At last her sweet soul winged its way
To peace and freedom in the sky
Where never again will she suffer or cry.

It's all part of God's great plan ...
Which remains a mystery to man.
We cannot understand His ways
Nor can we count our earthly days.

But who are we to question and doubt?
God knoweth well what He's about;
He knew she longed to "go to sleep"
Where only angels, a vigil keep.

The pain of living grew too great
No longer could she stay and wait;
She did not want to leave you, dear,
But she had finished her work down here.

So she closed her eyes and when she awoke,
These are the words the Master spoke ...
"Welcome, dear child, you are Home at last,
And now the burden of living is past."

"There's work for you in My Kingdom, dear
And you are needed and wanted here."
So weep not, she has just gone on ahead,
Don't think of her as being dead.

She's out of sight for a little while,
And you'll miss her touch and her little smile,
But you know she is safe in the home above
Where there is nothing but Peace and Love.

And, surely, you would not deny her peace ...
And you're glad that she has found release.
Think of her there as a soul that is free,
And Home at last, where she wanted to be.



Helen Steiner Rice

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There Is A Special Angel

There is a special Angel in Heaven
that is a part of me.
It is not where I wanted him
but where God wanted him to be.
He was here but just a moment
like a night time shooting star.
And though he is in Heaven
he isn't very far.
He touched the heart of many
like only an Angel can do.
I would've held him every minute
if the end I only knew.
So I send this special message
to the Heaven up above.
Please take care of my Angel
and send him all my love.

Author Unknown

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Those We Love

Those we love remain with us,
For love itself lives on,
And cherished memories never fade,
Because a loved one is gone...

Those we love can never be more than a
thought apart,
For as long as there is memory,
They'll live on in the heart.

They lived...
And brought unto the earth a bit of beauty,
love and faith.
And now their lives will ever be reflected
in our hearts.



Author Unknown

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Waiting At Eternity's Door

Death beckoned him with outstretched hand

And whispered softly of 'an unknown land'...

But he was not afraid to go

For though the path he did not know,

He took death's hand without a fear

For God who safely brought him here

Had promised He would lead the way

Into eternity's bright day . . .

For none of us need go alone

Into the valley that's unknown

But guided by our Father's hand

We journey to the promised land . . .

And as his loving, faithful wife

Who shared his home and heart and life,

You will find comfort for your grief,

In knowing death brought sweet relief,

For now he is free from all suffering and pain

And your 'great loss' became his gain . . .

You know his love is with you still,

For he loved you in life and he always will . . .

For love like yours can never end

Because it is the perfect blend

Of joys and sorrows, smiles and tears

That just grows stronger with the years

And love like this can never die,

For you 'take it with you to the sky' . . .

So think of your loved one as living above

No farther away than your undying love . . .

And now he is happy and free once more

And he waits for you at eternity's door.



Helen Steiner Rice

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When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you for a little while,

Please do not grieve and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow to you through the years,

But start out bravely with a gallant smile;

And for my sake and in my name

Live on and do all things the same

Feed not your loneliness on empty days

But fill each waking hour in useful ways

Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer

And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;

And never, never be afraid to die,

For I am waiting for you in the sky!



Helen Steiner Rice

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When we ask why?

God's purpose and plans, sometimes concealed,
But someday his purpose will be revealed.

Someday God's wisdom will make it very plain,
Why problems were permitted and how He uses his pain.

Things thought illogical, disease, tragedy and fear,
Will someday make sense, when God makes all things clear.

We'll see the Lord's purpose from the Lord's point of view,
And we'll know the answer, in way we never knew.

Until we are home with God, some answers must wait,
Until His plan unfolds, we'll live and walk by faith.

Author Unknown

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Where do Grandpa’s Go?

I saw a little boy
at the gates of Wrigley Field one day
He took my arm and asked,
“Where do grandpas go when they pass away?”

“My mom and daddy told me
that is where my grandpa went.
But I really, really miss him
‘cause I haven’t seen him since.”

“I knew that Grandpa wouldn’t
miss an opening baseball game
He brought me here all of the time,
so this is where I came.”

“But Grandpa never showed up,
and I waited a whole day.
So do you know where grandpas go
when they pass away?”

I could see he was bewildered
and his eyes were full of tears.
So I tried to tell him something
that would calm all of his fears.

“I’m sorry you lost your grandpa,
but I think that you will find.
If you close your eyes and think of him,
you’ll see him in your mind.”

“Although your grandpa isn’t here,
his soul lives on in heaven.
And he lives within your memories;
It’s like a gift we’re given.”

“So when you come out to the games,
just know he’s here with you.
And soon you’ll find you’re having fun,
not feeling quite so blue.”

I saw that little boy again
At another baseball game.
It was over three years later,
But he looked almost the same.

I heard him tell the vendor
“I’ll take two hot dogs from you.
One hot dog for me,
And I’ll take one for Grandpa too.”

Copyright Lois Dean
Printed with Permission

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YOU ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN

You are somebody that everybody knows
Wherever you are is where everyone goes
And I can't help but think about what I do now
Will I see you someday, will I find you somehow

The night follows day, the moon in the sky
The world keeps on turning and no one knows why
It goes and it comes it comes and it goes
Which ever direction nobody knows

Our times together though cut short were precious and dear
However it happened just may never be clear
I'm here but your gone I don't understand
But your leading the way always holding my hand

The night is too black those times I'm alone
The road seems to long, I wish you'd come home
And when the sun rises I look for you still
And then I remember and remember I will

The wind in the sails water covers the earth
The day of your birth and the day of your death
Mile after mile and after while the warmth of your heart
The shine of your smile they keep me going
The memories of love that's all I have left like the flight of a dove

Where are you now? Are you far, are you near?
Are you helping me live will you help make it clear
Wherever your going where ever you've been
Whomever you've known all of your friends

We all stand beside you we all love you still
We're missing you now and forever we will
We sing and we talk the world in our hands
We run and we walk while beside us you stand

For those who remain never let your love wait
When they're no longer here it's always too late
So we roll the days over again and again
And where we have ended, it's where we begin

And Yes -- stars they come and light -- yes they bring
The miracle of life a beautiful thing
We know not where we're goin' we just know where we've been
The days we shared together the memories that will never end

Author Unknown

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