A rose once grew where all could see,
Sheltered beside a garden wall.
And, as the days passed swiftly by,
It spread its branches, straight and tall.
One day, a beam of light shone through
A crevice that had opened wide.
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
Then passed beyond to the other side.
Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
Be comforted – the rose blooms there.
Its beauty even greater now,
Nurtured by God’s own lowing care.
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispered softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve
to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave
when life is done.
