Blessed Rest

The loss of a dear one to death.

By Stanley Collymore

 

The evening sun is sinking fast,

the night is drawing nigh; and

with each lengthening shadow

draws closer our goodbye.

The dawn that hailed

your timely birth

has gone, ne'er to return;

and with your work on

earth complete, it’s

time to travel on.

 

God in his infinite wisdom

sent you among us here; and

we've been the recipients of all

your love and care. We

know it wasn't always the

easiest thing to do forgiving

all the wrongs we did, or

the heartaches we

caused you.

 

But like the Good Samaritan you

took the challenge on, unmindful

of the ridicule, the envy and the

scorn. You simply smiled

and pressed ahead when

others turned away; with ne'er

a protest from your lips, to

this your dying day.

 

Such faith and dedication - an example

to us all - we who’re left must emulate

and heed the Christian call. For it

was this self-same love, you see:

selfless, unswerving, free; that

took a helpless infant and

made someone of me.

 

It's really gratifying knowing all

the things you’ve done; and we

who mourn your passing will

endeavour to carry on what you

so competently undertook, as

we can all attest; while throngs

of guardian angels happily

escort you to your rest.

 

ã Stanley V. Collymore

2 May 1991.