Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord:-
"You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied:-
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson
Ann
31st May 2009
Don't be dismayed by goodbyes.
A farewell is necessary before you can meet again,
And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,
is certain for those who are friends.
Richard Bach
Ann
31st May 2009
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Henry Scott-Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St Paul's Cathedral
Ann
31st May 2009