“FOR THE DYING
May death come gently toward you, Leaving you time to make your way Through the cold embrace of fear To the place of inner tranquillity.
May death arrive only after a long life To find you at home among your own With every comfort and care you require.
May your leave-taking be gracious, Enabling you to hold dignity Through awkwardness and illness.
May you see the reflection Of your life’s kindness and beauty In all the tears that fall for you.
As your eyes focus on each face, May your soul take its imprint, Drawing each image within As companions for the journey.
May you find for each one you love A different locket of jeweled words To be worn around the heart To warm your absence.
May someone who knows and loves The complex village of your heart Be there to echo you back to yourself And create a sure word-raft To carry you to the further shore.
May your spirit feel The surge of true delight When the veil of the visible Is raised, and you glimpse again The living faces Of departed family and friends.
May there be some beautiful surprise Waiting for you inside death, Something you never knew or felt, Which with one simple touch, Absolves you of all loneliness and loss, As you quicken within the embrace For which your soul was eternally made.
May your heart be speechless At the sight of the truth Of all belief had hoped, Your heart breathless In the light and lightness Where each and everything Is at last its true self Within that serene belonging That dwells beside us On the other side Of what we see.”
― John O'Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Invocations and Blessings
I stumbled upon this poem yesterday.
A few hours later came news of the death of a beloved family member. I will not share at this time because her family hasn't shared just yet.
But this poem said things that touched my heart in the greatest way, the tenderest way, the most profound way.
May God comfort the heartbroken among us...with the promise of heaven.
Love
Donna Elsie
I *just* received my copy of this book by John O'Donahue in the mail, today!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, dear Donna
We are on the same wavelength...
DeleteYes! ❤
DeleteI appreciate you so much, your content is always a blessing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words.
DeleteI have missed your blogging. So glad to read your words and to see your pictures. I will pray for your family and your loss. May God provide you comfort and peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jana. The promise of heaven...
Delete