Listed on the below are poems which express special
feelings and thoughts about our tragedy. These items have been
contributed by many individuals as a way to help provide comfort and
support during this difficult period. The first one, "I'm free" was the
first poem given to us by two wonderful friends of my daughter.
From Haley Cuffman
Sorry I didn't get to stay.
To laugh and run and play.
To be there by your side.
I'm sorry that I had to die.
God sent me down to be with
you, to make your loving heart anew.
To help you look up and see
Both God and little me.
Friends and family, I wish I
could stay.
Just like I heard you pray.
But, all the angels did cry
when they told little me goodbye.
God didn't take me cause He's
mad.
He didn't send me to make you
sad.
But to give us both a chance
to be a love so precious .. don't you see?
Up here no trouble do I see
and the pretty angels sing to me.
The streets of gold is where
I play you'll come here too, friends and family, someday.
Until the day you join me
here, I'll love you, friends and family, dear.
Each breeze you feel and see,
brings love and a kiss from me.
I'm Free - Given to us by Angi Mooney and Judy Stoll, best
friends of Jillian
I'm Free
Don't Grieve for me, for now I'm free
I am 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 that peace at the close of the 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 time 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 and peace to thee.
God wanted me now; He set me free!
Unknown Author
Christmas in Heaven - Given to us by Karol Aylor and Brenda Bingham
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 that 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 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 send you each a special gift from my heavenly home
above. I send you each a memory of my undying love. After all “Love” is
the 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 blessings or love he has for you. So have a
Merry Christmas and wipe away the tear. Remember, I’m spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year. By Ann
Stilzel
To All Parents - Given by Sue Connor
"I'll lend you for a little a child of mine." He said "For you to love
the 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 of him for Me?" He'll bring his charms to gladden you and shall his
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 the
wide world over in my 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 think the labor vain, Nor hate Me when I come to call to take
him home again?"
I fancied that I heard them 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 shall the angels call him much
sooner than we've planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try
to understand."
Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him home again?" By: Edgar
A. Guest
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN - Given by Annes Griffith
I still hear the songs I still see the lights I still feel your
love on cold wintery nights I still share your hopes and all of your cares
I'll still remind you to please say your prayers I just want to tell you
you still make me proud You stand head and shoulders above all the crowd
Keep trying each moment to stay in His grace I came here before you to
help set your place You don't have to be perfect all of the time' He
forgives you the slip If you continue the climb To my family and friends
please be thankful today I'm still close beside you In a new special way I
love you all dearly now don't shed a tear Cause I'm spending my Christmas
with Jesus this year. Author John W. Mooney, Jr. 1990
A LETTER FROM HEAVEN - Given to us by Caroline Dickerson
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say. But first of all, to
let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I
dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just
eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had
to leave you when my life on earth was through. God picked me up and
hugged me and He said, "I welcome you. It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while your gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be
here later on. I need you here badly, you're part of my plan. There's so
much that we have to do, to help our mortal man." God gave me a list of
things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to
watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores
put to flight. God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years. Because
you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be
afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no
flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that
God has planned. If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one
thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you
now, than I ever was before. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and
many hills to climb; But together we can do it by taking one day at a
time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too; That as you
give unto the world, he world will give to you. If you can help somebody
who's in sorrow and pain; Then you can say to God at night......"My day
was not in vain." And now I am contented....that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile. So if you meet
somebody who is sad and feeling low; Just lend a hand to pick him up, as
on your way you go. When you're walking down the street and you've got me
on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And
when it's time for you to go....from that body to be free. Remember you're
not going.....you're coming here to me.
IF I KNEW - Given to us by Lisa Wray
If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.