It is amazing what a few simple words can do

[Dina]

It has been 3 weeks since I lost my Dad. I always said I would need a padded room when this happened. I am so surprised at the strength he is still giving me. I have been blessed with 3 - yes - 3 amazing signs from him so far.....

I received a card in the mail from one of my customers that read -

Dina - you have 2 choices - you can cry because he is gone or you can smile because he lived.....

I am choosing to smile.......

Such simple words that have made such a HUGE impact on me.

[Larry's Wife]

Dina, my deepest condolences to you and your family.

Choosing to smile. What a beautiful testimony to you and your dad!

Lynn

[Brandyswa]

That is awesome...Keep smiling

[beatlemike]

I like that Dina.Thank you.

[tiredmom959]

This is a poem I found the night before my mom's funeral that I read at her service. The funeral director said he thought he'd "heard them all" but had never heard this one ... sometimes I think she led me to it.

You can shed tears that she is gone,

or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left behind.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone,

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back,

or you can do what she'd want:

Smile, Laugh, Open Your Eyes,

Love and Go On.

[Welthy]

Thanks TiredMom -- My Step-daughter read the same poem at Tony's funeral. It is inspirational, but tough to do sometimes. Thanks for printing it for everyone.

Welthy

[LovesLife]

Dina - my deepest condolences on the loss of your dad. I am so happy that he is finding ways to send you signs to help you through the process. I absolutely love those words of wisdom and thank you for sharing them. I am posting them on my computer to look at daily as there are days I need to be reminded that I have a choice as to how I view things...thank you for sharing during your time of grief. You are an amazing woman and I know your dad is so very proud of you.

Tiredmom-what a beautiful poem-it is so true that parents want their kids to be happy in life. I, too, believe she led you to the poem.

Thank you both for sharing such beautiful words and memories.

Linda

[Dina]

TiredMom - Thank you so much for that poem.

Today is my Mom's birthday - I took that poem and changed the "she" to "he" - printed it out on some beautiful card stock and framed it for her. I hope she loves it. I also bought her a Memory Box -

These past 3 weeks have been hell on earth for us.

[blueeye]

tiredmom--I'm printing that. Thanks for sharing. I had heard similiar poems (but not as good) and just snorted and said "whatever". But this time it hit home.

Leslie

[tiredmom959]

I'm so glad you all liked the poem ... I really am convinced it's exactly the way my mom would want me to feel about her death (and life).