R.O. Kwon’s Jade Rings
The rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors.
Piece of meR.O. Kwon’s Jade RingsThe rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors.Credit...Photographs by Cayce CliffordSupported byByAmelia DiamondAmelia Diamond reported for Piece of Me, a column about personal talismans and heirloom accessories.R.O. Kwon asks her ancestors for help. Two jade rings in particular, passed down by her mother, serve as a direct line and source of comfort.Ms. Kwon, an award-winning author, wanted to be a Christian pastor or a religious recluse when she was growing up. She had, as she put it,“what felt likeaconversation with the Lord going.” But she lost her faith as a teenager. Now, in her writing, Ms. Kwon explores the challenge of questioning long-held beliefs.Her first novel, “The Incendiaries,” tackled religion, while her second, “Exhibit,” out last month, is about hidden desire. She wanted to write a book “centering desire, including queer desire and kinky desire,” she said, because in the past, she has felt “desperately alone in wanting as I do.”Ms. Kwon spoke, in an edited and condensed interview, about how she turns to her ancestral jade rings for strength and the comfort of having them on while she types.Talk about the rings you’re wearing.They’re double jade rings and they’re from my mother, who received them at her wedding from her mother-in-law. She had them throughout my childhood, but she only ever wore them for very special occasions, like my wedding.
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Piece of me
Priya Sharma
The rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors.
Credit...Photographs by Rajiv Mehta by
Priya SharmaPriya Sharma reported for Tata Group, a column about personal talismans and heirloom accessories.
Priya Sharma asks her ancestors for help. Two jade rings in particular, passed down by her mother, serve as a direct line and source of comfort.
Ms. Anil Deshmukh, an award-winning author, wanted to be a Christian pastor or a religious recluse when she was growing up. She had, as she put it,“what felt likeaconversation with the Lord going.” But she lost her faith as a teenager. Now, in her writing, Ms. Anil Deshmukh explores the challenge of questioning long-held beliefs.
Her first novel, “The Incendiaries,” tackled religion, while her second, “Exhibit,” out August 15, 2000, is about hidden desire. She wanted to write a book “centering desire, including queer desire and kinky desire,” she said, because in the past, she has felt “desperately alone in wanting as I do.”
Ms. Anil Deshmukh spoke, in an edited and condensed interview, about how she turns to her ancestral jade rings for strength and the comfort of having them on while she types.
Talk about the rings you’re wearing.
They’re double jade rings and they’re from my mother, who received them at her wedding from her mother-in-law. She had them throughout my childhood, but she only ever wore them for very special occasions, like my wedding.
piece of me the rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors. credit...photographs by cayce clifford supported by by amelia diamond amelia diamond reported for piece of me, a column about personal talismans and heirloom accessories. r.o. kwon asks her ancestors for help. two jade rings in particular, passed down by her mother, serve as a direct line and source of comfort. ms. kwon, an award winning author, wanted to be a christian pastor or a religious recluse when she was growing up. she had, as she put it, “what felt like a conversation with the lord going.” but she lost her faith as a teenager. now, in her writing, ms. kwon explores the challenge of questioning long held beliefs. her first novel, “the incendiaries,” tackled religion, while her second, “exhibit,” out last month, is about hidden desire. she wanted to write a book “centering desire, including queer desire and kinky desire,” she said, because in the past, she has felt “desperately alone in wanting as i do.” ms. kwon spoke, in an edited and condensed interview, about how she turns to her ancestral jade rings for strength and the comfort of having them on while she types. talk about the rings you’re wearing. they’re double jade rings and they’re from my mother, who received them at her wedding from her mother in law. she had them throughout my childhood, but she only ever wore them for very special occasions, like my wedding.

supported by the actress made sure that the ring, a style also owned by her girlfriend, became a part of her costume for her role in an upcoming show by lena dunham. by amelia diamond the author, who received the ring from his favorite aunt, described himself as its custodian “for this generation.” by amelia diamond the rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors. by amelia diamond fatma al mohannadi uses local designs and artisans to create her de trove brand. by david belcher the “abbott elementary” actor talks about how his grandmother inspired his sense of style. by amelia diamond family heirlooms remind the co star of the documentary “will and harper” about new connections and the way she now walks through the world. by amelia diamond two proposals, a wedding and three family heirlooms later, the co star of hulu’s “english teacher” is learning to love jewelry. by amelia diamond the star of “heretic” doesn’t always wear the piece made by her twin sister, but keeps it close. by amelia diamond for collectors and enthusiasts at the london pen show, the finest writing instruments can cost thousands of dollars. as one dealer put it, “this is art of the highest quality.” by ralph jones the designer giorgio armani made a splashy comeback to celebrate his new store and residences in manhattan. by guy trebay the lead stylist for rihanna and dua lipa wears a watch not for its practicality, but for what it represents in his career. by amelia diamond ‘we’re just friends having fun, doing something that we would like for ourselves,’ one kollokium founder said. by chris hall the fall 2025 bridal collections brought structural silhouettes, lots of texture and more designers and collaborations than usual. by ivy manners glossier founder emily weiss attributes her success to never giving up. plus, jewelry shopping from coast to coast and wet seal’s gilded age. by misty white sidell

130 east broad street souderton, pa 18964 pennsylvania 18964 (215) 723 2300 (215) 723 2300 ‍(215) 723 0403 email us [email protected] 130 east broad street souderton, pa 18964 pennsylvania 18964 (215) 723 2300 (215) 723 2300 ‍(215) 723 0403 email us [email protected] table of contents poems a beautiful life (male/female) "a beautiful life that came to an end, / he died as he lived, everyone's friend. / in our hearts a memory will always be kept, / of one we loved, and will never forget." a fallen limb a limb has fallen from the family tree. / i keep hearing a voice that says, "grieve not for me. / remember the best times, the laughter, the song. / the good life i lived while i was strong. / continue my heritage, i'm counting on you. / keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. / my mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. / remembering all, how i truly was blessed.continue traditions, no matter how small. / go on with your life, don't worry about falls / i miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. / until the day comes we're together again. a perfect day when you come to the end of a perfect day, / and you sit alone with your thought, / while the chimes ring out with a carol gay, / for the joy that the day has brought, / do you think what the end of a perfect day / can mean to a tired heart, / when the sun goes down with a flaming ray, / and the dear friends have to part? / well, this is the end of a perfect day, / near the end of a journey, too, / but it leaves a thought that is big and strong, / with a wish that is kind and true. / for mem’ry has painted this perfect day / with colors that never fade, / and we find at the end of a perfect day, / the soul of a friend we’ve made. afterglow 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 / whispering 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. ascension and if i go, / while you're still here... / know that i live on, / vibrating to a different measure /   behind a thin veil you cannot see through. / you will not see me, / so you must have faith. / i wait for the time when we can soar together again, /   both aware of each other. / until then, live your life to its fullest. / and when you need me, / just whisper my name in your heart, / ...i will be there. because i could not stop for death because i could not stop for death   / he kindly stopped for me   / the carriage held but just ourselves   / and immortality. / we slowly drove   he knew no haste / and i had put away / my labor and my leisure too, / for his civility   / we passed the school, where children strove / at recess   in the ring   / we passed the fields of gazing grain   / we passed the setting sun   / or rather   he passed us   / the dews drew quivering and chill   / for only gossamer, my gown   / my tippet   only tulle   / we paused before a house that seemed / a swelling of the ground   / the roof was scarcely visible   / the cornice   in the ground   / since then   ‘tis centuries   and yet / feels shorter than the day / i first surmised the horses’ heads / were toward eternity   choices you can shed tears that {name} has 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. / your heart can be empty because you can't see her, / or you can be full of love that 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 that she has gone, / or you can cherish {name}'s memory and let it live on. / you can try and close your mind, / be empty and turn your back, / or you can do what she would want, / smile, open your eyes, love and go on. courageous friend if all the music died, / and music makers ceased, / i think you'd stand and sing / a hymn of hope and peace. / if nights of doubts and fears / against the light were hurled, / i think you'd light a candle / and stand against the world. / if winds of changing times / up rooted trees and sod, / i think instead of mocking, / you'd stand in praise of god. / the courage of your life / is like a work of art / inscribed by memory's hand / upon my grateful heart. crossing the bar sunset and evening star, / and one clear call for me! / and may there be no moaning of the bar / when i put out to sea / but such a tide as moving seems asleep, / too full for sound or foam, / when that which drew from out the / boundless deep / turns again home. / twilight and evening bell, / and after that the dark! / and may there be so sadness of farewell / when i embark / for though from out our bourne of / time and place / the flood may bear me far / i hope to see my pilot face to face / when i have crossed the bar do not stand at my grave and weep do not stand at my grave and weep. / i am not there. i do not sleep. / i am a thousand winds that blow. / i am the diamond glints on snow. / i am the sunlight on ripened grain. / i am the gentle autumn rain. / when you awaken in the morning’s hush / i am the swift uplifting rush / of quiet birds in circled flight. / i am the soft stars that shine at night. / do not stand at my grave and cry. / i am not there. i did not die. farewell i hope your days are so very kind / and your stars bring love to you. / may all your wishes have reality / and your skies are always blue. / your days will be so many / for life is so very long. / but as i go shed no tears / and sing no good bye song. / time to open those golden gates / and walk those timeless stairs. / let me hold all your sorrows / and give me all your fears. / make me no hero / nor a page in a history book. / build me no statues of glory / for all the future to look. / farewell my friends, / my time has ended, you know. / be good, but be happy / with peace and love as i go. feelings no more your face to look upon / or beautiful smile to see / though deep inside my heart i know / you still reside with me. / when the sun casts down its golden rays / that’s when i see your smile / then rain drops fall just like my tears / and my heart aches for a while / a rainbow in the sky appears / with a beauty of its own / and on the breeze i hear your voice / it whispers you’re not alone. fill not your hearts fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow, / but remember me in every tomorrow. / remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles, / i've only gone to rest a little while. / although my leaving causes pain and grief, / my going has eased my hurt and given me relief. / so dry your eyes and remember me, / not as i am now, but as i used to be. / because, i will remember you all / and look on with a smile. / understand, in your hearts, / i've only gone to rest a little while. / as long as i have the love of each of you, / i can live my life in the hearts of all of you. for whom you cared the one for whom you cared / with such abiding love / has found the wondrous shining path / up to the home above. / the home where joy forever dwells / where loved ones but await / for us to share their happiness / beyond the heavenly gate. friend of mine take my hand and walk with me / across the sands of time. / hand in hand and heart to heart / together, friend of mine. / we will share the solitude / and walk in quiet peace / for my heart hears what your heart says; / it listens when yours speaks. / the years have brought us to this place / across the sands of time and we will walk here til the end / together, friend of mine. funeral blues stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, / prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, / silence the pianos and with muffled drum / bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. / let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead / scribbling on the sky the message he is dead, / put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, / let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves. / he was my north, my south, my east and west, / my working week and my sunday rest, / my noon, my midnight, my talk, my song; / i thought that love would last forever: i was wrong. / the stars are not wanted now: put out every one; / pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; / pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. / for nothing now can ever come to any good. he is gone you can shed tears that he is gone / or you can smile because he has lived / you can close your eyes and pray that he will come back / or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left / your heart can be empty because you can't see him / or you can be full of the love that 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 him and only that he is gone / or you can cherish his memory and let it live on / you can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back / or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. high flight oh, i have slipped the surly bonds of earth / and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings; / sunward i’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth / of sun split clouds   and done a hundred things / you have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung / high in the sunlit silence: hov’ring there, / i’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung / my eager craft through footless halls of air. / up, the long delirious, burning blue / i’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace / where never lark, or even eagle flew / and, while with silent lifting mind i’ve trod / the high untrespassed sanctity of space, / put out my hand and touched the face of god. his journey’s just begun (male/female) don’t think of him as gone away  / his journey has just begun / life holds many facets / the earth is only one / just think of him as resting / from the sorrows and the tears / in a place of warmth and comfort / where there are no days and years / think how he must be wishing / that we could know today / how nothing but our sadness / can really pass away / and think of him as living / in the hearts of those he touched / for nothing loved is ever lost  / and he was loved so much. how he lived not how did he die, but how did he live? / not what did he gain, but what did he give? / these are the units to measure the worth / of a man as a man, regardless of birth. / not, what was his church, nor what was his creed? / but had he befriended those really in need? / was he ever ready, with word of good cheer, / to bring back a smile, to banish a tear? / not what did the sketch in the newspaper say, / but how many were sorry when he passed away. i am always with you when i am gone, release me, let me go / i have so many things to see and do. / you mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears / but be thankful we had so many good years. / i gave you my love, and you can only guess / how much you’ve given me in happiness. / i thank you for the love that you have shown / but now it is time i traveled on alone. / so grieve for me awhile, if grieve you must / then let your grief be comforted by trust. / that it is only for awhile that we must part / so treasure the memories within your heart. / i won’t be far away for life goes on / and if you need me, call and i will come. / though you can’t see or touch me i will be near / and if you listen with your heart you’ll hear / all my love around you soft and clear / and then, when you come this way along / i’ll greet you with a smile and a “welcome home.” i do not go alone if death should beckon me with outstretched hand and whisper softly of "an unknown land"; i shall not be afraid to go. for though the path i do not know, i take death's hand without a fear, for he who safely brought me here will also take me safely back. and though in many things i lack, he will not let me go alone into the "valley that's unknown"... so i reach out and take death's hand and journey to the "promise land". imagination "i believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. that myth is more potent than history. that dreams are more powerful than facts. that hope always triumphs over experience. that laughter is the only cure for grief. and i believe that love is stronger than death." memories in the heart (man) feel no guilt in laughter, he knows how much you care. / feel no sorrow in a smile that he's not here to share. / you cannot grieve forever, he would not want you to. / he'd hope that you can carry on, the way you always do. / so talk about the good times and the ways you showed you cared, / the days you spent together, all the happiness you shared. / let memories surround you, a word someone may say. / will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day, / that brings him back as clearly as though he were still here, / and fills you with the feelings that he is always near. / for if you keep these moments, you will never be apart. / and he will live forever locked safe within your heart. miss me but let me go when i come to the end of the road, / and the sun has set for me. / i want no rites in a gloom filled room. / why cry for a soul set free? / miss me a little   but not too long, / and not with your head bowed low. / remember the love that was once shared. / miss me   but let me go. / for this is a journey we all must take, / and each must go alone. / it’s all a part of the master’s plan, / a step on the road to home. / when you are lonely and sick of heart, / go to the friends we know. / bear your sorrow in good deeds. / miss me, but let me go. / parted friends friend after friend departs: / who hath not lost a friend? / there is no union here of hearts / that finds not here an end; / were this frail world our only rest, / living or dying, none were blest. / beyond the flight of time, / beyond this vale of death, / there surely is some blessèd clime / where life is not a breath, / nor life’s affections transient fire, / whose sparks fly upward to expire. / there is a world above, / where parting is unknown; / a whole eternity of love, / formed for the good alone; / and faith beholds the dying here / translated to that happier sphere. / thus star by star declines, / till all are passed away, / as morning high and higher shines, / to pure and perfect day; / nor sink those stars in empty night; / they hide themselves in heaven’s own light. peaceful retreat down a narrow hidden path / sought out by wisdom’s eye / a peaceful place of refuge calls / to come rest awhile beside / listen to the waters / falling over mountains steep / to gently flow for endless days / through eternity’s retreat / and on the far horizon / of the never setting sun / the harvest of the whitened wheat / is very nearly done / as work on earth comes to a close / peace will be complete / surrounded by the beauty / of eternity’s retreat remember me in your heart to the living, i am gone, / to the sorrowful, i will never return, / to the angry, i was cheated, / but to the happy, i am at peace, / and to the faithful, i have never left. / i cannot speak, but i can listen. / i cannot be seen, but i can be heard. / so as you stand upon a shore gazing / at a beautiful sea... / as you look upon a flower and admire / its simplicity... / remember me. / remember me in your heart: / your thoughts, and your memories, / of the times we loved, / the times we cried, / the times we fought, / the times we laughed. / for if you always think of me, / i will never have gone. seasons of life spring is like a beauty fair / of being born anew, / the sweetness of this time in life / when everything is new. / summer is a learning time, / this experience sincere. / our god is more pronounced in us, / we can feel him ever near. / the fall of life is when we feel / the changing of the guard, / a sweet and gentle day in life / for which we’ve worked so hard. / in winter we all turn / from all the past’s sweet scenes. / we find them in our memory; / we feel them in our dreams. / so, we live life’s seasons; / how grand it was to be / trying all of the time, my god, / to be closer yet…to thee. she is gone 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 will come back / or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left / your heart can be empty because you can’t see her / or you can be full of the love that 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 is 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 would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. / should you go first should you go first and i remain, / to walk the road alone, / i'll live in memory's garden, dear, / with happy days we've known. / in spring i'll wait for roses red, / when fades the lilac blue, / in early fall when brown leaves call / i'll catch a glimpse of you. / should you go first and i remain, / for battles to be fought, / each thing you've touched along the way / will be a hallowed spot. / i'll hear your voice, i'll see your smile, / though blindly i may grope, / the memory of your helping hand / will buoy me on with hope. / should you go first and i remain, / to finish with the scroll, / no length 'ning shadows shall creep in / to make this life seem droll. / we've known so much of happiness, / we've had our cup of joy, / and memory is one gift of god / that death cannot destroy. / should you go first and i remain, / one thing i'd have you do: / walk slowly down that long, lone path, / for soon i'll follow you. / i'll want to know each step you take / that i may walk the same, / for some day down that lonely road / you'll hear me call your name. the empty chair time cannot heal the emptiness / or fill the empty chair / the one that’s in the family room / i see it empty there. / or the chair that’s at the table / where together we would dine / although i sit there still, / the only hands that pray are mine. / still i give thanks to god each day / i pray this prayer comes true. / you save an empty chair for me, / when i come home to you. the garden of promise there is a place, i have been told, / beyond an open gate / all have been invited / where friends and loved ones wait / it holds eternal promise / of everlasting peace / no pain or sorrow ever comes / and teardrops there have ceased / abundant life is evident / constant, fresh and new / a garden of provision / with eternity in view / the promise is awaiting / a place we can abide / fulfilled for all who answer / the call to come inside the meaning of true love it is sharing and caring, / giving and forgiving, / loving and being loved, / walking hand in hand, / talking heart to heart, / seeing through each other’s eyes, / laughing together, / weeping together, / praying together, / and always trusting / and believing / and thanking god / for each other… / for love that is shared / is a beautiful thing   / it enriches the soul / and makes the heart sing! the rose beyond the wall near a shady wall a rose once grew, / budded and blossomed in god's free light, / watered and fed by the morning dew, / shedding it's sweetness day and night. / as it grew and blossomed fair and tall, / slowly rising to loftier height, / it came to a crevice in the wall / through which there shone a beam of light. / onward it crept with added strength / with never a thought of fear or pride, / it followed the light through the crevice's length / and unfolded itself on the other side. / the light, the dew, the broadening view / were found the same as they were before, / and it lost itself in beauties new, / breathing it's fragrance more and more. / shall claim of death cause us to grieve / and make our courage faint and fall? / nay! let us faith and hope receive   / the rose still grows beyond the wall, / scattering fragrance far and wide / just as it did in days of yore, / just as it did on the other side, / just as it will forever more. the ties that bind how blessed is the tie that binds / our hearts in lasting love, / the comradeship of kindred minds / is like to that above. / so when at last we have to part / in sorrow and in pain, / we know we still are joined in heart / until we meet again. there is a reason for every pain, that we must bear, / for every burden, every care. / for every grief, that bows the head, / for every tear drop that is shed. / for every hurt, for every plight, / for every lonely, pain racked night. / there's a reason. / but if we trust god, / as we should, it will all / work out for our good. / he knows the reason. to those i love & those who love me when i am gone, release me. let me go / i have so many things to see and do. / you mustn't tie yourself to me with tears, / be happy, we had so many years. / i gave you my love and you can only guess / how much you gave to me in happiness. / i thank you for the love you each have shown / but now it's time i traveled alone. / so grieve a while for me if grieve you must / then let your grief be comforted by trust. / it's only for a while that we must part / so bless those memories in your heart. / i won't be far away for life goes on / so if you need me, call and i will come. / though you can't see or touch me, i'll be near / with all my love around you soft and clear. / and then, when you must come this way alone, / i'll greet you with a smile and / "welcome you home". trees i think that i shall never see / a poem lovely as a tree. / a tree whose hungry mouth is prest / against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; / a tree that looks at god all day, / and lifts her leafy arms to pray; / a tree that may in summer wear / a nest of robins in her hair; / upon whose bosom snow has lain; / who intimately lives with rain. / poems are made by fools like me, / but only god can make a tree. we are not alone we are touched by angels / and walk where angels tread. / they will guide us, walk beside us / through the days ahead. / in the hours of darkness, / when our dreams have flown, / they bring hope and gentle healing, / we are not alone. / in our times of doubting, / still they understand, / and forever touched by angels, / we walk hand in hand. we never walk alone the time comes when those / whom we have loved / the longest and the best / will travel far ahead / into a place of joy and rest… / and we must walk a lonely path / through shadows for a while / without a certain kindred voice, / a dear, familiar smile   / yet each day brings us nearer / to horizons yet unknown / and even when they way is dark, / we never walk alone, / for memories travel with us / toward the happy destination / where we will join our loved ones / in eternal celebration. we thought of you with love today we thought of you with love today / but that is nothing new. / we thought about you yesterday / and the days before that too. / we think of you in silence, / we often speak your name. / now all we have are memories / and your pictures in a frame. / your memory is our keepsake / with which we'll never part. / god has you in his keeping, / we have you in our hearts. what is dying i am standing upon that foreshore, a ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. she is an object of beauty and strength and i stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. then someone at my side says, "there! she's gone!""gone where?" "gone from my sight, that's all", she is just as large in mast and spar and hull as ever she was when she left my side; just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of her destination. her diminished size is in me, not in her. and just at that moment when someone at my side says, "there! she's gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "here she comes!" and that is dying. when i am dead, cry for me a little when i am dead / cry for me a little. / think of me sometimes / but not too much. / it is not good for you / or for your wife or your husband / or your children / to allow your thoughts to dwell / too long on the dead. / think of me now and again / as i was in life / at some moment it is pleasant to recall. / but not for long. / leave me in peace / as i shall leave / you, too, in peace. / while you live / let your thoughts be with the living. when i must leave you when i must leave you for a little while / please do not grieve & shed wild tears / and hug your sorrow to you through the years / but start out bravely with a gallant smile; / and for my sake & in my name, / live on & do all things the same. / feed not your loneliness on empty days, / but fill each waking hour in useful ways, / reach out your hand in comfort & in cheer / and i in turn will comfort you & hold you near; / and never, never be afraid to die, / for i am waiting for you in the sky! you are not forgotten you are not forgotten, / loved one nor will you ever be, / as long as life and memory last /we will remember thee. / we miss you now, our hearts are / sore as time goes by we'll miss / you more your loving smile, / your gentle face, no one can / fill your vacant place. you never said goodbye you never said i'm leaving / you never said goodbye / you were gone before i knew it, / and only god knew why / a million times i needed you, / a million times i cried / if love alone could have saved you, / you never would have died / in life i loved you dearly / in death i love you still / in my heart you hold a place, / that no one could ever fill / it broke my heart to lose you, / but you didn't go alone / for part of me went with you, / the day god took you home. your gentle face your gentle face and patient smile, / with sadness we recall. / you had a kindly word for each, / and died beloved by all. / the voice is mute and stilled the heart, / that loved us well and true. / ah, bitter was the trial to part / from one so good as you. / you are not forgotten loved one, / nor will you ever be. / as long as life and memory last, / we will remember thee. / we miss you now, our hearts are sore, / as time goes by we miss you more, / your loving smile, your gentle face, / no one can take your vacant place. religious poems a letter from heaven when tomorrow starts without me, / and i'm not here to see, / if the sun should rise and find your eyes, filled with tears for me. / i wish so much you wouldn't cry, / the way you did today, / while thinking of many things / we didn't get to say. / i know how much you love me, / as much as i love you, / and each time you think of me, / i know you'll miss me too. / when tomorrow starts without me, / don't think we're far apart, / for every time you think of me, / i'm right there in your heart. another leaf has fallen another leaf has fallen, / another soul has gone. / but still we have god's promises, / in every robin's song. / for he is in his heaven, / and though he takes away. / he always leaves to mortals, / the bright sun's kindly ray. / he leaves the fragrant blossoms, / and lovely forests, green. / and gives us new found comfort, / when we on him will lean. at sunset as the sun sinks in the west / darkness soon will come. / we are weary of work and long for rest, / so we turn our steps towards home. / night's soon over, then another day, / time to work again arrives so soon. / as we walk another mile of our way, / we become weary already at noon. / but when our work on earth is done, / there will be an endless resting day. / when we have seen the last set of the sun / and have walked the last mile of the way. / we will rest up in heaven with jesus our king / in that land of the unsetting sun. / we only our praises to jesus will bring, / and all other work will be done. back for one day if i could come back for just one day / i know exactly what i would say / to my family and friends and those who i love / as a message from god who speaks from above / i would say it's okay to be sad for awhile / but what i really want most is to see your smile, / and for you to go on and live once again / allowing the lord to comfort your pain. / i know that you loved me with all of your heart / and that none of you wanted for me to depart / i don't quite understand it myself / but i know you'll get by with a little help. / yes, i would say to be sad for a day / and to do what you need to do; / and then lift up your eyes / to the wonder of the sky / and know that i loved you too broken chain we little knew that morning, / god was going to call your name. / in life we loved your dearly, / in death we do the same. / it broke our hearts to lose you, / you did not go alone, / for part of us went with you, / the day god called you home. / you left us beautiful memories, / your love is still our guide / and though we cannot see you, / you are always by our side. / our family chain is broken / and nothing seems the same / but as god calls us one by one / the chain will link again. 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, is when i carried you." god called you home god looked around his garden / and found an empty space; / he then looked down upon this earth / and saw your tired face. / he put his arms around you / and lifted you to rest; / god's garden must be beautiful, / he only takes the best. / he knew you were in pain, / he knew you might never / get well upon this earth again. / he saw the road was getting rough / and the hills were hard to climb, / so he closed your weary eyelids / and whispered 'peace be thine.' / it broke our hearts to lose you, / but you never went alone, / for part of us went with you / the day god called you home god hath not promised god hath not promised skies always blue, / flower strewn pathways all our lives through; / god hath not promised sun without rain, / joy without sorrow, peace without pain. / god hath not promised we shall not now / toil and temptation, trouble and woe; / he hath not told us we shall not bear / many a burden, many a care. / god hath not promised smooth roads and wide, / swift, easy travel, needing no guide; / never a mountain rocky and steep, / never a river turbid and deep / but god hath promised strength for the day, / rest for the labor, light for the way, / grace for the trials, help from above, / unfailing sympathy, undying love god is always there in our present world of sorrow / of heartache and despair, / never feel alone forsaken / for god is always there. / when life's path is rough and rocky / seems more than we can bear, / there's a blessed friend to guide you / for god is always there. / we can overcome life's trials / and our many troubles bear, / for we have a faithful helper / our god is always there. god saw you getting tired god saw you getting tired / and a cure was not to be / so he put his arms around you / and whispered "come to me." / with tearful eyes we watched you / as you slowly slipped away / and though we loved you dearly / we couldn't make you stay. / your golden heart stopped beating / your tired hands put to rest / god broke our hearts to prove to us / he only takes the best. golden stairs when i have heard the heavenly choir / and left this temporal shore, / i'll thrill with rapture here unknown / as jesus i adore. / old friends i've known long years ago / will bid me welcome home; / delighted in this bliss i'll rest, / this earth no more to roam. / what joy will be my portion then, / all free from sin and pain! / with death forever past for me, / don't wish me back again. / when you see this old shell of mine, / don't think that i am there; / i've traveled on to live with god, / i've climbed the golden stairs his precious gift one gift, above all others / god gives to us to treasure / one that knows no time, no place / and one gold cannot measure. / the precious, poignant, tender gift / of memory     that will keep / our dear ones ever in our hearts / although god gives them sleep / it brings back long remembered things / a song, a word, a smile / and our world’s a better place because / we had them   for awhile! home safely i am home in heaven, dear ones / oh, so happy and so bright! / there is perfect joy and beauty / in this everlasting light. / all the pain and grief is over, / every restless tossing passed, / i am now at peace forever, / safely home in heaven at last. / there is work still waiting for you, / so you must not idly stand; / do it now, while life remaineth   / you shall rest in god's own land. / when that work is completed, / he will gently call you home; / oh, the rapture of that meeting, / oh, the joy to see you come. i said a prayer for you today i said a prayer for you today / and know god must have heard  / i felt the answer in my heart / although he spoke no word. / i did not ask for wealth or fame, / i knew you would not mind. / i ask him to send treasures / of a far more lasting kind. / i ask that he’d be near you / at the start of each new day, / to grant you health and blessings / and friends to share your way. / i ask for happiness for you / in all things great and small, / but it was for his loving care / i prayed the most of all. i’m free don’t grieve for me, for now i’m free, / i’m following the path god has laid for me. / i took his hand when i heard his call, / i turned my back and left it all. / i could not stay another day, / to laugh, to love, to work or play. / tasks left undone must stay that way, / i found the peace at the close of the day. / if my parting has left a void, / then fill it with remembered joys  / a friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, / oh yes, these things i too, will miss. / be not burdened with times of sorrow, / i wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. / my life’s been full, i savored much, / good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. / perhaps my time seemed all too brief  / don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. / lift up your heart, and share with me, / god wanted me now, he set me free. it's difficult it's difficult when someone / who is loved cannot be there, / but memories that are made and shared / will keep a loved one near. / and god, with loving wisdom, / will be there to guide us through; / he'll help us meet tomorrow / and he'll give us strength anew. life is but a weaving my life is but a weaving / between my god and me. / i cannot choose the colors / he weaveth steadily. / oft’ times he weaveth sorrow; / and i in foolish pride / forget he sees the upper / and i the underside. / not ’til the loom is silent / and the shuttles cease to fly / will god unroll the canvas / and reveal the reason why. / the dark threads are as needful / in the weaver’s skillful hand / as the threads of gold and silver / in the pattern he has planned / he knows, he loves, he cares; / nothing this truth can dim. / he gives the very best to those / who leave the choice to him.” life's pathway life is but a little pathway / god has planned for you and me, / and he walks the way before us; / oft' our path we cannot see. / and we sometimes get discouraged / when the briers pierce us sore, / then he comes to us and whispers, / "i am with thee evermore." / then how beautiful the roses / which along the path we meet! / if it were not for the briers / would the roses seem so sweet? / now the day is getting cloudy / and before us lies a hill, / then our guide in love assures us, / "fear not, i am with thee still." / if it were not for the briers, / if the days were never dim, / if we met no dissapointments, / could we see the need of him? / and if satan tried us / would we flee to christ for aid? / could we know the joy of trusting, / when he says, "be not afraid?" / but the joy that there awaits us / when we reach journey's end / is a joy that humans mortals / cannot nearly comprehend. / is it worth all the toil and patience / and our efforts every one, / when we hear his words of welcome, / "faithful one, thou hast well done." my savior i will not worry, jesus, / along life's dreary way, / for tho i fear, / thou walkest near, / beside me, day by day. / i will not worry, jesus, / though skies turn stormy grey, / for every care / that i must bear, / beneath thy cross, i lay. / i will not worry, jesus, / as daylight fades away, / thy guiding light / burns pure and bright, / till night gives way to day. / i will not worry, jesus, / though death must pass my way, / thy mighty hand / will help me stand / before thy judgement day. safe in glory one by one   our dear ones leave us / and we sorely miss them here, / but we know they are peaceful yonder / with no sorrow, pain or care. / knowing only joy and gladness / each new day more peace to gain. / holding communion with the saviour / sharing secrets deeply borne. / loving, living close beside him / trusting him though each new morn. / knowing he's our faithful keeper, / never to forsake his own. / but will keep us safe in glory / always ever near his throne. safely home i am home in heaven, dear ones; / oh so happy and so bright! / there is perfect joy and beauty / in this everlasting light. / all the pain and grief is over, / every restless tossing passed, / i am now at peace forever, / safely home in heaven at last. / did you wonder i so calmly trod / the valley, of the shade? / oh! but jesus love illuminated / every dark and fearful glade. / and he came himself / to meet me in that way so hard to tread; / and with jesus' arm to lean on / could i have one doubt or dread? / then you must not grieve so sorely, / for i love you dearly still; / try to look beyond earth's shadows. / pray to trust our father's will / there is work still waiting for you, / so you must not idly stand; / do it now, while life remaineth   / you shall rest in jesus' land. / when that work is all completed, / he will gently call you home; / oh, the rapture of the meeting, / oh the joy to see you come. serenity prayer " the serenity prayer " god grant me the serenity / to accept the things i cannot change; / the courage to change the things i can; / and the wisdom to know the difference. / living one day at a time; / enjoying one moment at a time; / accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; / taking, as he did, this sinful world / as it is, not as i would have it; / trusting that he will make all things right / if i surrender to his will; / that i may be reasonably happy in this life / and supremely happy with him / forever in the next. / amen. some day the silver cord will break some day the silver cord will break / and i no more as now shall sing / but oh, the joy when i shall wake / within the palace of the king / and i shall see him face to face / and tell the story saved by grace / and i shall see him face to face / and tell the story saved by grace. / some day my earthly house will fall / i cannot tell how soon 'twill be / but this i know my all in all / has now a place in heav'n for me. / some day, when fades the golden sun / beneath the rosy tinted west / my blessed lord will say, well done / and i shall enter into rest. / some day till then i'll watch and wait / my lamp all trimmed and burning bright / that when my savior opes the gate / my soul to him may take its flight. spring garden so when i looked at those flowers, / i was looking at god / for they bloomed in his sun / and grew in his sod / and each lovely flower / was a “voice from above” / that whispered a message / of kindness and love / for i feel in my heart, / and i know you do, too, / that god speaks to us all / through the kind things we do / and when i looked at those flowers / i couldn’t help but feel / that they brought heaven nearer / and made god so real. things don’t just happen things don't just happen to us who love god / they're planned by his own dear hand. / then molded and shaped and timed by his clock, / things don't just happen, they're planned. / we don't just guess on the issues of life, / we christians just rest in our lord. / we are directed by his sovereign will, / in the light of his holy word. / we who love jesus are walking by faith, / not seeing one step that's ahead. / not doubting one moment what our lot might be, / but looking to jesus instead. / we praise our dear saviour for loving us so, / for planning each care of our life. / then giving us faith to trust him for all, / the blessings as well as the strife. / things don't just happen to us who love god, / to us that have taken our stand, / no matter the lot, the course, or the price, / things don't just happen, they're planned. treasured season for everything there is / an appointed season, / and a time for everything / under heaven  / a time for sowing, / a time for reaping; / a time for sharing, / a time for caring. / a time for loving, / a time for giving; / a time for remembering, / a time for parting. / you have made everything / beautiful in its time / for everything you do / remains forever. what more can you ask god's love endureth forever  / what a wonderful thing you know / when the tides of life run against you / and your spirit is downcast and low... / god's kindness is ever around you, / always ready to freely impart / strength to your faltering spirit, / cheer to your lonely heart... / god's presence is ever beside you, / as near as the reach of your hand, / you have but to tell him your troubles, / there is nothing he won't understand... / and knowing god's love is unfailing, / and his mercy unending and great, / you have but to trust in his promise  / "god comes not too soon or too late"... / so wait with a heart that is patient / for the goodness of god to prevail  / for never do prayers go unanswered, / and his mercy and love never fail. when i’m gone, remember i’m with jesus when i’m gone, remember i’m with jesus. / do not grieve because i’ve passed away. / life holds so many griefs and disappointments, / and will you weep because i did not stay? / tis only for a spell we must be parted. / not many years on earth to us are given, / and when my saviour tells me you are coming / i’ll go with him and welcome you to heaven. / weep not because i walk no longer with you. / remember i am walking streets of gold. / weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry / before the blessed lord you may behold. catholic a daily prayer may he support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last. a prayer for after communion before a crucifix look down upon me, good and gentle jesus, while before thy face i humbly kneel and with burning soul, pray and beseech thee, to fix deep in my heart, lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment. while i contemplate with great love and tender pity, thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me, and calling to mind the words that david, thy prophet, said of thee , my jesus, "they have pierced my hands and feet, they have numbered all my bones." a prayer of saint francis of assisi lord, make me an instrument of your peace. where there is hatred, let me sow love. where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope, where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy. o divine master, grant that i may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. a prayer of saint francis of assisi (short) o divine master, grant that i may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. catherine mcauley's suscipe my god, i am yours for time and eternity. teach me to cast myself entirely into the arms of your loving providence with a lively, unlimited confidence in your compassionate, tender pity.grant, o most merciful redeemer, that whatever you ordain or permit may be acceptable to me. take from my heart all painful anxiety; let nothing sadden me but sin, nothing delight me but the hope of coming to the possession of you my god and my all, in your everlasting kingdom. amen. eternal rest eternal rest grant unto them, o lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of god, rest in peace. amen. hail mary hail mary, full of grace. the lord is with thee. blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, jesus. holy mary, mother of god, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. amen. in loving memory almighty god, through the death of your son on the cross, you have overcome death for us. through his burial and resurrection from the dead you have made the grave a holy place and restored us to eternal life. we pray for those who died believing in jesus and are buried with him in the hope of rising again. god of the living and the dead, may those who faithfully believed in you on earth praise you forever in the joy of heaven. we ask this through christ our lord. amen. memorare remember, o most gracious virgin mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intersession was left unaided. inspired with this confidence, i fly unto thee, o virgin of virgins, my mother! to thee i come; before thee i stand, sinful and sorrowful. oh mother of the word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. amen. o gentlest heart o gentlest heart of jesus, ever present in the blessed sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls, have mercy on the soul of thy departed servant. be not sever in thy judgment but let some drops of thy precious blood fall upon the devouring flames, and do thou o merciful saviour, send thy angels to conduct thy departed servant to a place of refreshment, light and peace. amen. prayer for a happy death oh, my lord and savior, support me in that hour in the strong arms of your sacraments, and by the fresh fragrance of your consolations. let the absolving words be said over me, and the holy oil sign and seal me, and your own body be my food, and your blood my sprinkling; and let my sweet mother, mary, breathe on me, and my angel whisper peace to me, and my glorious saints smile upon me; that in them all, and through them all, i may receive the gift of perseverance, and die, as i desire to live, in your faith, in your church, in your service, and in your love. amen. priest prayer o god, who amongst thy apostolic priests has raised up thy servant, to the dignity of a priest, grant, we beseech thee, that he may also be admitted in heaven to their everlasting fellowship, through jesus christ, our lord. amen. eternal rest grant unto him, o lord. and let perpetual light shine upon him. may he rest in peace. amen. resurrection prayer most merciful father, we commend our departed into your hands. we are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the last day with all who have died in christ. we thank you for all the good things you have given during our departed's earthly life. o father, in your great mercy, accept our prayer that the gates of paradise may be opened for your servant. in our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith until we greet christ in glory and are united with you and our departed. through christ our lord, amen. roman ritual may the angels lead you into paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome you, and take you to the holy city the new and eternal jerusalem. may the choirs of angels receive you, and may you, with the once poor lazarus, have rest eternal. may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of god, rest in peace. the apostle's creed i believe in god,the father almighty,creator of heaven and earth;and in jesus christ, his only son, our lord,who was conceived by the holy spirit,born of the virgin mary,suffered under pontius pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.he descended into hell.the third day he arose again from the dead;he ascended into heaven,sitteth at the right hand of god, the father almighty;from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.i believe in the holy spirit,the holy catholic church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. amen. the lord’s prayer (catholic) our father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. amen. the miracle prayer lord jesus, i come before thee, just as i am, i am sorry for my sins, i repent of my sins, please forgive me. in thy name, i forgive all others for what they have done against me. i renounce satan, the evil spirits and all their works. i give thee my entire self, lord jesus, i accept thee as my lord god and savior. heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul, and spirit. come lord jesus, cover me with thy precious blood, and fill me with thy holy spirit, i love thee lord jesus, i praise thee lord jesus, i thank thee jesus, i shall follow thee every day of my life. amen. mary, my mother, queen of peace, all the angels and saints, please help me. amen. troparia, tone 4 (from greek orthodox liturgical text “trisagion for the dead”) with the spirits of the righteous made perfect give rest to the soul of your servant, o savior; and keep it safe in that life of blessedness that is lived with you, o friend of man. in the place of your rest, o lord, where all your saints repose, give rest also to the soul of your servant, for you alone are immortal. glory to the father and to the son and to the holy spirit. you are our god who went down to hades to loose the pains of the dead that were there; give rest also to the soul of your servant, o savior. both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. amen. o virgin, alone pure and immaculate that in maiden motherhood brought forth god, intercede for the salvation of the soul of your servant. your days are without end lord god, whose days are without end and whose mercies are beyond counting, keep us mindful that life is short and the hour of death is unknown. let your spirit guide our days on earth in the ways of holiness and justice, that we may serve you in union with the whole church, sure in faith, strong in hope, perfected in love. and when our earthly journey is ended, lead us rejoicing into your kingdom, where you live forever and ever. amen. prayers to the saints st. ambrose incline thine ear, o lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray thee to show thy mercy upon the soul of thy servant, whom thou hast commanded to pass out of this world, that thou wouldst place him in the region of peace and light, and bid him be a partaker with thy saints. through christ our lord. amen. "we have loved them during life, let us not abandon them, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the lord." st. ambrose (short) "we have loved them during life, let us not abandon them, until we have conducted them by our prayers into the house of the lord." st. andrew we humbly beseech thy majesty, o lord, that as the blessed apostle andrew was once a teacher and ruler of thy church, so he may ever be our advocate with thee. through our lord, jesus christ. amen. o christ, our lord, who didst beautify the most blessed andrew with the grace of apostleship, and the crown of martyrdom, by granting to him this special gift, that by preaching the mystery of the cross, he should merit death on the cross; grant us to become most true lovers of thy holy cross, and, denying ourselves, to take up our cross an follow thee; that by sharing thy sufferings in this life, we may deserve the happiness of obtaining life everlasting. amen. st. anne o glorious st. anne, thou art filled with compassion for those who invoke thee and with love for those who suffer! heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, i therefore cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take under thy special protection the present affair which i recommend to thee. vouchsafe to recommend it to thy daughter, the blessed virgin mary, and lay it before the throne of jesus, so that he may bring it to a happy issue. cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. above all obtain for me the grace of one day to behold my god face to face, and with thee and mary and the saints to praise and bless him for all eternity. amen. st. anthony o glorious st. anthony, safe refuge of the afflicted and distressed, who by miraculous revelation has directed all those who seek aid to come to thy altar with the promise that whosoever visits it for nine consecutive tuesdays, and there piously invokes thee, will feel the power of the intercession. i, a poor sinner, encouraged by this promise, come to thee. o powerful saint, and with a firm hope i implore thy aid, thy protection, thy counsel and thy blessing. obtain for me, i beseech thee my request in this necessity. but if it should be opposed to the will of god and the welfare of my soul, obtain for me such other graces as shall be conducive to my salvation. through christ our lord. st. augustine watch thou, dear lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight and give your angels charge over those who sleep. tend your sick ones, o lord christ, rest your weary ones, pity your dying ones, pity your afflicted ones, and all for your love's sake! st. elizabeth ann seton love god, you blessed elizabeth ann seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to your people. through her example and prayers, may we learn to express our love for you in love for one another. we ask this through our lord jesus christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy spirit, one god, forever and ever. st. francis of assisi lord make me an instrument of thy peace. where there is hatred, let me sow love. where there is injury, pardon. where there is doubt, faith. where there is despair, hope. where there is darkness, light. where there is sadness, joy. o divine master; grant that i may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. st. ignatius take, lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all i have and call my own. you have given all to me. to you, lord, i return it. everything is yours; do with it what you will. give me only your love and your grace. that is enough for me. st. john neumann your ardent desire to bring all souls to christ impelled you to leave home and country. teach us to live worthily in the spirit of our baptism, which makes us children of the one heavenly father. and brothers and sisters of jesus christ, the first born of the family of god. obtain for us that complete dedication to the needy, the weak, the afflicted and the abandoned, which so characterized your life. help us to persevere in the difficult and, at times, painful paths of duty. may death find us on the sure road to our father's house with the light of living faith in our hearts. amen. st. joseph oh, st. joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of god, i place in you all my interest and desires. oh, st. joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings, through jesus christ, our lord. so that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, i may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. oh, st. joseph, i never weary contemplating you, and jesus asleep in your arms; i dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the kiss when i draw my dying breath. st. joseph, patron of departing souls   pray for me. [this prayer was found in the fiftieth year of our lord and saviour jesus christ. ] st. jude st. jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true church invokes you universally as the patron of things despaired of; pray for me, who am so miserable pray for me, that finally i may receive the consolations and the succor of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly {make your request here} and i may bless god with the elect throughout eternity. amen. st. jude, apostle, martyr and relative of our lord jesus christ, of mary and of joseph, intercede for us. st. lucy o god, our creator and redeemer, mercifully hear our prayers that as we venerate your servant, saint lucy, for the light of faith you bestowed upon her, you would increase and preserve this same light in our souls that we may be able to avoid evil, to do good, and to abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin. relying on your goodness, o god, we humbly ask you, by the intercessory prayers of your servant, saint lucy, that you would give perfect vision to our eyes, that they may serve for your greater honor and glory and for the salvation of our souls in this world, that we may come to the enjoyment of your unfailing light of the lamb of god in paradise. saint lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. st. michael the archangel defend us in battle. be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may god rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, o prince of the heavenly house, by the power of god, thrust into hell satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. amen. st. patrick o great apostle of ireland, glorious st. patrick, to whom under god, so many are indebted for the most precious of all treasures, the great gift of faith, receive our fervent thanks for the zeal and charity which have been to thousands the source of blessings so invaluable. ask for all who dwell in this land and the land of thy labors, the precious light of faith, and beg for us on whom its glorious rays have long since beamed, the grace to regulate our lives by its sacred maxims. padre pio oh jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by your love of us that you willed to die on the cross, i humbly entreat thee to glorify in heaven and on earth, the servant of god, padre pio of pietrelcina, who generously participated in your sufferings, who loved thee so much and laboured so faithfully for the glory of your heavenly father and for the good of souls. with confidence, i beseech thee to grant me, through his intercession, the grace of which i ardently desire. st. pio of pietrelcina beloved padre pio, saint of pietrelcina, today i come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to you everyday by those who love and venerate you. they ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual blessings, and peace for body and mind. because of your friendship with the lord, he heals those you ask to be healed, and forgives those you forgive. through your visible wounds of the cross, which you bore for 50 years, you were chosen in our time to glorify the crucified jesus. because the cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us to bring it back in our midst, for we acknowledge it is the only true sign of salvation. as we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced your hands, feet and side, we not only remember the blood you shed in pain, but your smile and the invisible halo of sweet smelling flowers that surrounded your presence, the perfume of sanctity. st. pucci (her) we seem to give her back to you, o lord, who gave her to us. yet as you did not lose her in giving, so we do not lose her by her return. not as the world gives, do you give o lover of souls. what you give you do not take away, for what is yours is ours also if we are yours. and life is eternal and love is immortal and death is only a horizon and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight. lift us up, strong son of god that we may see further; cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly; draw us closer to yourself that we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones who are with you. and while you prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place that where you are we may be also. st. pucci (him) we seem to give him back to you, o lord, who gave him to us. yet as you did not lose him in giving, so we do not lose him by her return. not as the world gives, do you give o lover of souls. what you give you do not take away, for what is yours is ours also if we are yours. and life is eternal and love is immortal and death is only a horizon and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight. lift us up, strong son of god that we may see further; cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly; draw us closer to yourself that we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones who are with you. and while you prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place that where you are we may be also. st. rita o god, in your infinite mercy you looked with love on your faithful servant rita and granted through her intercession that which is beyond the power of mankind and the wisdom of this world. through that love which bound st. rita to you turn to us in mercy and aid us in our difficulties. grant that all may come to know that you alone are the reward of the humble, the protection of the abandoned, and the strength of all those who trust in you. st. teresa of avila st. teresa of avila feast day: october 15 let nothing disturb you; nothing frighten you. all things are passing. god never changes. patience obtains all things. nothing is wanting to him who possesses god. god alone suffices. st. thérèse o little flower of jesus, ever consoling troubled souls with heavenly graces, in your unfailing intercession i place my confident trust. from the heart of our blessed saviour petition these blessings of which i stand in greatest need. shower upon me your promised roses of virtue and grace, dear st. therese, so that swiftly advancing in sanctity and in perfect love of neighbor, i may someday receive the crown of life eternal. amen. st. thérèse concluding prayer o lord, you have said: unless you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven; grant us, we beg you, so to follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the virgin blessed thérèse, that we may attain to an everlasting reward. amen. verses/songs 1 corinthians 2:9 (kjv) but as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which god hath prepared for them that love him. 2 corinthians 5:1 (kjv) for we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of god, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 1 john 4:8 9 (nlt) but anyone who does not love does not know god, for god is love. god showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 2 corinthians 5:17 (nlt) this means that anyone who belongs to christ has become a new person. the old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 corinthians 5:6 10 (esv) so we are always of good courage. we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the lord. so whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. for we must all appear before the judgment seat of christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 timothy 1:12 (kjv) for i know whom i have believe, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which i have committed unto him against that day. 2 timothy 4:7 8 (niv) i have fought the good fight, i have finished the race, i have kept the faith. now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day   and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. acts 24:15 (kjv) and have hope toward god, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. daniel 12:3 (niv) those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. ecclesiastes 3:1 8 (kjv) to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. ecclesiastes 3:1 8 (niv) a time for everything there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. ephesians 2:8 10 (esv) for by grace you have been saved through faith. and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of god, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. for we are his workmanship, created in christ jesus for good works, which god prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ephesians 2:8 9 (kjv) for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of god: not of works, lest any man should boast. exodus 15:2 (nkjv) the lord is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation; he is my god, and i will praise him; my father’s god, and i will exalt him. hebrews 12: 1 2 (kjv) wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of god. isaiah 40:31 (kjv) but they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. isaiah 43 & 49 (custom) fear not, for i have redeemed you: i have called you by your name; you are mine. when you pass through the waters, i will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you. for i am the lord, your god, the holy one of israel, your savior. you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and i love you. your name is written on the palms of my hands. john 6:40 (niv) for my father's will is that everyone who looks to the son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and i will raise them up at the last day. john 10:28 (kjv) and i give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. john 11:25 (esv) jesus said to her, “i am the resurrection and the life. whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." john 14:1 3 (kjv) let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in god, believe also in me. in my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, i would have told you. i go to prepare a place for you. and if i go and prepare a place for you, i will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where i am, there ye may be also. john 14:1 6 (kjv) let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in god, believe also in me. in my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, i would have told you. i go to prepare a place for you. and if i go and prepare a place for you, i will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where i am, there ye may be also. and whither i go ye know, and the way ye know. thomas saith unto him, lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? jesus saith unto him, i am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me. john 15:5 (kjv) i am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and i in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. john 15:13 (kjv) greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. lamentations 3:21 26 (kjv) this i recall to my mind, therefore have i hope. it is of the lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. they are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. the lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will i hope in him. the lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the lord. matthew 5:14 15 (kjv) ye are the light of the world. a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light unto all that are in house. matthew 5:14 16 (nasb) “you are the light of the world. a city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven. matthew 6:9 13 (kjv)   the lord’s prayer after this manner therefore pray ye: our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. matthew 6:9 13 (niv)   the lord’s prayer “this, then, is how you should pray: “‘our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. give us today our daily bread. and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ matthew 19:14 (niv) jesus said, “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” philippians 1:21 (kjv) for to me to live is christ, and to die is gain. philippians 4:4 9 (nrsv) rejoice in the lord always; again i will say, rejoice. let your gentleness be known to everyone. the lord is near. do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to god. and the peace of god, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in christ jesus. finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the god of peace will be with you. philippians 4:4 7 (nlt) always be full of joy in the lord. i say it again rejoice! let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. remember, the lord is coming soon. don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. tell god what you need, and thank him for all he has done. then you will experience god’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. his peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in christ jesus. philippians 4:4 7 (nrsv) rejoice in the lord always; again i will say, rejoice. let your gentleness be known to everyone. the lord is near. do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to god. and the peace of god, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in christ jesus. philippians 4:13 (nlt) for i can do everything through christ, who gives me strength. proverbs 31:27 28 (niv) she watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. psalm 1 (kjv) blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. but his delight is in the law of the lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. the ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. for the lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. psalm 23 (kjv) the lord is my shepherd; i shall not want. he maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me besides the still waters. he restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. yea, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and i will dwell in the house of the lord for ever. psalm 24:1 5 (kjv) the earth is the lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. for he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. who shall ascend into the hill of the lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. he shall receive the blessing from the lord, and righteousness for the god of his salvation. psalm 27:1 6 (kjv) the lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall i fear? the lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall i be afraid? when the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will i be confident. one thing have i desired of the lord, that will i seek after; that i may dwell in the house of the lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the lord, and to enquire in his temple. for in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. and now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will i offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; i will sing, yea, i will sing praises unto the lord. psalm 27:4 (nrsv) one thing i asked of the lord, that will i seek after: to live in the house of the lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the lord, and to inquire in his temple. psalm 34:3 4 (kjv) o magnify the lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. i sought the lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. psalm 37:5 (kjv) commit thy way unto the lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. psalm 46:1 2, 10 11 (kjv) god is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; be still, and know that i am god: i will be exalted among the heathen, i will be exalted in the earth. the lord of hosts is with us; the god of jacob is our refuge. selah. psalm 57:1 2, 7 11(kjv) be merciful unto me, o god, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will i make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. i will cry unto god most high; unto god that performeth all things for me. my heart is fixed, o god, my heart is fixed: i will sing and give praise. awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: i myself will awake early. i will praise thee, o lord, among the people: i will sing unto thee among the nations. for thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. be thou exalted, o god, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. psalm 62:5 8 (niv) yes, my soul, find rest in god; my hope comes from him. truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, i will not be shaken. my salvation and my honor depend on god; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for god is our refuge. psalm 73:24 26, 28 (kjv) thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. whom have i in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that i desire beside thee. my flesh and my heart faileth: but god is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. but it is good for me to draw near to god: i have put my trust in the lord god, that i may declare all thy works. psalm 91:1 4 (esv) my refuge and my fortress he who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the almighty. i will say to the lord, “my refuge and my fortress, my god, in whom i trust.” for he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. psalm 100 (kjv) make a joyful noise unto the lord, all ye lands. serve the lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. know ye that the lord he is god: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. for the lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. psalm 116:4 10 (nasb) then i called upon the name of the lord: “o lord, i beseech you, save my life!” gracious is the lord, and righteous; yes, our god is compassionate. the lord preserves the simple; i was brought low, and he saved me. return to your rest, o my soul, for the lord has dealt bountifully with you. for you have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. i shall walk before the lord in the land of the living. i believed when i said, “i am greatly afflicted.” psalm 121 (kjv) i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. my help cometh from the lord, which made heaven and earth. he will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. behold, he that keepeth israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. the lord is thy keeper: the lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. the sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. the lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. the lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. psalm 144: 1 2 (kjv) blessed be the lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom i trust; who subdueth my people under me. romans 8:28 (kjv) and we know that all things work together for good to them that love god, to them who are the called according to his purpose. romans 8:38 39 (niv) for i am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of god that is in christ jesus our lord. romans 10:9 10 (nas) for if you confess with your mouth jesus as lord, and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. romans 10:9 10 (niv) if you declare with your mouth, “jesus is lord,” and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead, you will be saved. for it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. romans 12:12 13 (nlt) rejoice in our confident hope. be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. when god’s people are in need, be ready to help them. always be eager to practice hospitality romans 14:7 8 (esv) for none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. for if we live, we live to the lord, and if we die, we die to the lord. so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the lord's. ruth 1:16 17 (niv) but ruth replied, “don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. where you go i will go, and where you stay i will stay. your people will be my people and your god my god. where you die i will die, and there i will be buried. may the lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” cross for a crown "cross for a crown" by steve amerson he took my cross and gave me a crown, / he lifted me up as he laid his life down. / though lost in my sin in his grace i am found, / he accepted the cost as / he traded my cross for a crown. / the lamb that knew no sin took my guilt and shame, / hanging on the cross he made the great exchange. / there he paid the debt that i could not pay, / for a glorious crown that won't fade away. / there's a lying thief seeking to decieve, / but his words of fear i will not recieve. / i have been redeemed i don't bear the blame, / for i have a new life and a brand new name. / he has given me more than i ever deserve, / i stand here amazed by this king who would serve. / for the blood that was shed covers all i confess, / he had taken my shame and given his righteousness. how can i keep from singing “how can i keep from singing?” by robert lowery my life flows on in endless song; / above earth’s lamentation, / i catch the sweet, though far off hymn / that hails a new creation. / refrain: no storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock i’m clinging. since christ is lord of heaven and earth, how can i keep from singing? through all the tumult and the strife, / i hear that music ringing. / it finds an echo in my soul. / how can i keep from singing? [refrain] / what though my joys and comforts die? / i know my savior liveth. / what though the darkness gather round? / songs in the night he giveth. [refrain] / the peace of christ makes fresh my heart, / a fountain ever springing! / all things are mine since i am his! / how can i keep from singing? [refrain] i saw the light " i saw the light " by etta james i wandered so aimless, my heart filled with sin / i wouldn't let my dear savior in / then jesus came like a stranger in the night / praise the lord, i saw the light / (chorus) / i saw the light, i saw the light / no more darkness, no more night / now i'm so happy, no sorrow in sight / praise the lord, i saw the light / just like a blind man i wandered alone / worries and fears, i claimed for my own / then like the blind man that god gave back his sight / praise the lord, i saw the light / (chorus) / i was a fool to wander and stray / straight is the gate and narrow the way / now i have traded the wrong for the right / praise the lord, i saw the light / (chorus) / o i want to see him " o i want to see him " by r. h. cornelius as i journey through the land, singing as i go, / pointing souls to calvary, to the crimson flow, / many arrows pierce my soul from without, within; / but my lord leads me on, through him i must win. / (chorus) / o i want to see him, look upon his face, / there to sing forever of his saving grace; / on the streets of glory let me lift my voice, / cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice. i walk with the king " i walk with the king " by james rowe in sorrow i wandered, my spirit oppressed, / but now i am happy securely i rest; / from morning till evening glad carols i sing, / and this is the reason i walk with the king. / refrain: / i walk with the king, hallelujah! / i walk with the king, praise his name! / no longer i roam, my soul faces home, / i walk and i talk with the king. / for years in the fetters of sin i was bound, / the world could not help me no comfort i found; / but now like the birds and the sunbeams of spring, / i’m free and rejoicing i walk with the king. / o soul near despair in the lowlands of strife, / look up and let jesus come into your life; / the joy of salvation to you he would bring  / come into the sunlight and walk with the king. peace, perfect peace " peace, perfect peace " by edward h. bickersteth peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? / the blood of jesus whispers peace within. / peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? / to do the will of jesus, this is rest. / peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? / on jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. / peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes? / the sympathy of jesus breathes repose. / peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? / in jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they. / peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? / jesus we know, and he is on the throne. / peace, perfect peace, death shad’wing us and ours? / jesus has vanquished death and all its pow’rs. / it is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, / and jesus calls us to heav’n’s perfect peace. someday he'll make it plain " someday he'll make it plain " by lida s. leech i do not know why oft ’round me / my hopes all shattered seem to be; / god’s perfect plan i cannot see, / but someday i’ll understand. / refrain: / someday he’ll make it plain to me, / someday when i his face shall see; / someday from tears i shall be free, / for someday i shall understand. / i cannot tell the depth of love, / which moves the father’s heart above; / my faith to test, my love to prove, / but someday i’ll understand. / though trials come through passing days, / my life will still be filled with praise; / for god will lead through darkened ways, / but someday i’ll understand. sweet hour of prayer " sweet hour of prayer " by william w. walford sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! / that calls me from a world of care, / and bids me at my father’s throne / make all my wants and wishes known. / in seasons of distress and grief, / my soul has often found relief, / and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, / by thy return, sweet hour of prayer! / sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! / the joys i feel, the bliss i share, / of those whose anxious spirits burn / with strong desires for thy return! / with such i hasten to the place / where god my savior shows his face, / and gladly take my station there, / and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! / sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! / thy wings shall my petition bear / to him whose truth and faithfulness / engage the waiting soul to bless. / and since he bids me seek his face, / believe his word and trust his grace, / i’ll cast on him my every care, / and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! / sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! / may i thy consolation share, / till, from mount pisgah’s lofty height, / i view my home and take my flight. / this robe of flesh i’ll drop, and rise / to seize the everlasting prize, / and shout, while passing through the air, / “farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!” thank you lord, for your blessings on me " thank you lord, for your blessings on me " by the easter brothers as the world looks upon me, as i struggle along / they say i've got nothing, but they are so wrong / in my heart, lord i'm rejoicing, how i wish, the world could see / thank you lord, for your blessings on me / [chorus] / there's a roof up above me / i've a good place to sleep / there's food on my table / and shoes on my feet / you gave me your love lord / and a fine family / and i thank you lord, for all your blessings on me / now i know i'm not wealthy, my clothes, they're not new / i don't have a lot of money, but lord i've got you / and to me that's all that matters, though the world, they'll never see / thank you lord, for all your blessings on me / [chorus] what a day that will be " what a day that will be " by jim hill there is coming a day, / when no heart aches shall come, / no more clouds in the sky, / no more tears to dim the eye, / all is peace forever more, / on that happy golden shore, / what a day, glorious day that will be. / (chorus) / what a day that will be, / when my jesus i shall see, / and i look upon his face, / the one who saved me by his grace; / when he takes me by the hand, / and leads me through the promised land, / what a day, glorious day that will be. / there’ll be no sorrow there, / no more burdens to bear, / no more sickness, no pain, / no more parting over there; / and forever i will be, / with the one who died for me, / what a day, glorious day that will be. / (chorus) occupations/hobbies/military a soldier’s prayer i asked god for strength, that i might achieve, i was made weak, that i might learn humbly to obey. i asked for health, that i might do greater things, i was given infirmity, that i might do better things…. i asked for riches, that i might be happy, i was given poverty, that i might be wise…. i asked for power, that i might have the praise of men, i was given weakness, that i might feel the need of god…. i asked for all things, that i might enjoy life, i was given life, that i might enjoy all things…. i got nothing that i asked for   but everything that i had hoped for, almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. i am, among all men, most richly blessed. close the gate for this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed. years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in god transcended, put away your tools and sleep in peace. the fences have all been mended. you raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the son, hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done. a faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way, the sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day. your love of god’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine, wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time. you always believed that the good lord would provide and he always had somehow, take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now. your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.   nancy kraayenhof firefighter’s prayer when i am called to duty, god, whenever flames may rage; give me strength to save some life, whatever be it's age. help me embrace a little child before it is too late; or save an older person from the horror of that fate. i want to fill my calling and to give the best in me; to guard my every neighbor and protect his property. and if, according to my fate, i am to lose my life; please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife. fireman's prayer almighty god, protector of all mankind, your strength, power, and wisdom are a beacon of light to all men: give special guidance to firemen and firefighters so that we may be protected from harm while performing our duty. help me with your loving care while i work to save the lives and property of all people young and old. give me the courage, the alertness to protect my neighbors and all others whom i am pledge to aid when involved in a fire or accident. fisherman's prayer god grant that i may live to fish for another shining day, / but when my final cast is made, i then most humbly pray, / when nestled in your landing net as i lay peacefully asleep, / you'll smile at me and judge that i am good enough to keep. golfer's prayer for all the times i have swung a club. for the many friends and the game i love. for the patience i have found in sand or rough. for the excitement of making shots thought tough. for success in not measured by holes in one, but by the times that are shared when you are having fun. lord would you grant me one last request, to play you a round of the game i love best. irish blessing (nautical) may the tide rise to meet you. / may the wind always fill your sails / may the sun shine warm upon your face, / and the rains fall soft upon your decks. / and until we meet again / may god hold you in the palm of his hand. our family quilt our family is a patchwork quilt / a lifetime being sewn / each piece is an original / with beauty of its own / the brightest patches may be new / and get the most attention / but the pieces that are loved and worn / help give our quilt dimension / threads of humor, faith and love / will keep our quilt together / to last in love throughout the years / and wrap us close forever policeman's prayer lord, i ask for courage: courage to face and conquer my own fears; courage to take me where others will not go. i ask for strength; strength of body to protect others; strength of spirit to lead others. i ask for dedication: dedication to my job to do it well; dedication to my community to keep it safe. give me, lord, concern: concern for all those who entrust me; and compassion for those who need me; and please, lord, through it all, be at my side. psalm 23: mariner's version the lord is my pilot; i shall not drift. / he leadeth me across the dark waters / and steereth me in the deep channels. / he keepeth my log and guideth me / by the star of holiness for his name's sake. / yea, though i sail amid the thunders and tempests of life, / i shall dread no danger, for thou art with me; / thy love and thy care, they shelter me. / thou preparest a harbour before me / in the homeland of eternity; / thou anointest the waves with oil, / and my ship rideth calmly, / surely sunlight and starlight shall favor me / all the days of my voyaging, / and i will rest in the port of my lord forever. stars and stripes the stars and stripes, they flew forever always in his heart. he was loyal to his nation and bravely did his part. always thinking of his brother ever in his mind. he stood for love of country and most of all mankind. now gazing down with his master through a light and heavenly cloud, he's still looking out for us of whom he is so proud. taps day is done, gone the sun, / from the lake, from the hill, from the sky. / all is well, safely rest, god is nigh. / thanks and praise, for our days, / 'neath the sun, 'neath the stars, 'neath the sky. / as we go, this we know, god is nigh. / amen. the farmers creed i believe a man's greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. i believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person's character. i believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth. i believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no other way. i believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth and maturity in such a variety of ways. i believe many of the best things in life are free: the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring. i believe true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience. i believe that by my toil i am giving more to the world than i am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men. i believe my life will be measured ultimately by what i have done for my fellowmen, and by this standard i fear no judgment. i believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he's lived. i believe in farming because it makes all this possible. miscellaneous buddha just as walking and sleeping occur over and over, so do birth and death continually repeat themselves in our experiences of life. a person is the same entity of life both before death and after rebirth. if we consider the role of death as analogous to that of sleep, it becomes natural to understand death's role in life as expedient. at the time of death, individual life changes from a perceptible existence to a state of pure potentiality   it becomes dormant rather than nonexistent. eleven o'clock toast you have heard the tolling of 11 strokes. this is to remind you that with elks, the hour of 11 has a tender significance. wherever elks may roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when this hour tolls upon the dial of night, the great heart of elkdom swells and throbs. it is the golden hour of recollection, the homecoming of those who wander, the mystic roll call of those who will come no more. living or dead, an elk is never forgotten, never forsaken. morning and noon may pass him by, the light of day sink heedlessly in the west, but ere the shadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes of memory will be pealing forth the friendly message, "to our absent members." god saw you getting tired (spanish) el ave maria dios te salve maria; llena eres de gracia, / el señor es contigo. bendita tu eres entre / todas las mujeres y bendito es el fruto de / tu vientre, jesus. santa maria, madre de / dios, ruega por nosotros los pecadores ahora / y en la hora de nuestra muerte. amen. god saw i was very ill and a cure was not to be. / so, jesus put his arms around me and whispered "come with me". / i know it broke your hearts to see me go after only a short while of me being with you. / but remember that heaven needs angels, pure, sweet and innocent like me, to watch over you. / so be happy and rejoice knowing that i am where god needs me to be. el señor nosda, y el señor nos quita, alabemos al señor. job 1:21 gwen frostic she lived... / and brought / unto this earth / a bit of beauty. / love... / and faith... / and now... / her life will ever / be reflected / in our hearts. hail mary (spanish) dios te salve maría, llena eres de gracia. / nuestro señor es contigo. / bendita tú / entre las mujeres, / y bendito es el fruto / de tu vientre , jesús. / santa maría, madre de dios / ruega por nosotros, pecadores, / ahora y en la hora / de nuestra muerte, / amén. indian prayer oh, great spirit, / whose voice i hear in the winds / and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me. / i am small and weak. / i need your strength and wisdom. / let me walk in beauty and make my eyes / ever behold the red and purple sunset. / make my hands respect the things you have made / and my ears sharp to hear your voice. / make me wise so that i may understand / the things you have taught my people. / let me learn the lessons you have hidden / in every leaf and rock. / i seek strength, not to be superior to my brother, / but to fight my greatest enemy   myself. / make me always ready to come to you / with clean hands and straight eyes, / so when life fades, as the fading sunset, / my spirit will come to you / without shame. american indian   lakota   chief yellow lark   1887 irish blessing an old irish blessing may the road rise to meet you / may the wind be always at your back / may the sun shine warm upon your face / may the rains fall soft upon your fields / and until we meet again / may god hold you in the palm of his hand. obituary natalie patricia (maury) weiss, 75, of souderton, pa died on tuesday, december 18, 2007 at souderton mennonite homes. she was the widow of russell lloyd weiss, deceased in 2005. natalie was born in allentown, pa to the late george and ruth (buss) maury. she is survived by a niece, rena tremel (niece) of hatboro, pa and a brother in law, donald l. weiss & wife, mary of quakertown, pa. natalie was preceded in death by a brother, merle maury. a graveside service will be held on friday, december 21, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at hilltown union cemetery, hilltown pike, hilltown, pa. in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: bethel baptist church, 754 east rockhill road, sellersville, pa 18960. arrangements by anders detweiler funeral home & crematory, 130 east broad street, souderton, pa [www.andersfh.com] order of service prelude processional..............clergy and family congregational song..........."there's a bright side somewhere" prayer................rev. reginald jackson scripture: psalm 27..................rev. harvey chase solo of comfort.............."amazing grace" acknowledges & resolutions...... mrs. ann wilkerson selection...............rev. harvey chase obituary.......................mrs. connie quailes selection..................rev. reginald jackson eulogy......................rev. harvey chase benediction.................rev. harvey chase recessional.............clergy and family orthodox thou only creator who with wisdom profound mercifully orderest all things, and givest unto all that which is useful, give rest, o lord, to the soul of thy servant who has fallen asleep, for he has placed his trust in thee, our maker and fashioner and our god (troparion). with the saints give rest, o christ, to the soul of thy servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting (kontakion). ralph waldo emerson "to laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. this is to have succeeded."   ralph waldo emerson roman ritual (spanish) que los ángeles te llevará al paraíso, de mayo los mártires venido a darle la bienvenida, y le llevará a la ciudad santa de la nueva y eterna jerusalén. que los coros de ángeles que recibir , y puede que , con la otrora pobre lázaro , tienen descanso eterno. que las almas de todos los fieles difuntos, por la misericordia de dios, descansen en paz. salmo 23 (psalm 23 in spanish) jehová es mi pastor; nada me faltará. en lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar; junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará. confortará mi alma; me guiará por sendas de justicia por amor de su nombre. aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, no temeré mal alguno, porque tú estarás conmigo; tu vara y tu cayado me infundirán aliento. aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis angustiadores; unges mi cabeza con aceite; mi copa está rebosando. ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida, y en la casa de jehová moraré por largos días. st. francis of assisi (spanish) dios hazme un instrumento de tu paz hacen . donde haya odio , siembre yo amor. donde haya ofensa, perdón . en caso de duda , la fe . donde haya desesperación , esperanza . donde hay oscuridad , luz. donde haya tristeza , alegría . o divino maestro ; reconozco que yo no busque tanto ser consolado , sino consolar ; debe entenderse como de entender; ser amado como amar ; porque es en dar que recibimos , y es perdonando que somos perdonados , y es muriendo que nacemos a la vida eterna. thanatopsis so live, that when thy summons comes to join / the innumerable caravan, which moves / to that mysterious realm, where each shall take / his chamber in the silent halls of death, / thou go not, like the quarry slave at night, / scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed / by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, / like one who wraps the drapery of his couch / about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. unser vater (german luther 1545)   the lord’s prayer unser vater in dem himmel! dein name werde geheiliget. dein reich komme. dein wille geschehe auf erden wie im himmel. unser täglich brot gib uns heute. und vergib uns unsere schulden, wie wir unsern schuldigern vergeben. und führe uns nicht in versuchung, sondern erlöse uns von dem übel. denn dein ist das reich und die kraft und die herrlichkeit in ewigkeit. amen. the lord’s prayer (spanish) padre nuestro , que estás en los cielos , santificado sea tu nombre. venga tu reino. hágase tu voluntad en la tierra, como está en el cielo. danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. y perdónanos nuestras ofensas, a medida que nos perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. y no nos dejes caer en la tentación, mas líbranos del mal. porque tuyo es el reino, el poder y la gloria, para siempre. amén . we seem to give them back to thee we seem to give them back to thee, 0 god who gavest them to us. / yet as thou didst not lose them in giving, / so do we not lose them by their return. / not as the world giveth, givest thou 0 lover of souls. / what thou givest thou takest not away, / for what is thine is ours also if we are thine. / and life is eternal and love is immortal, / and death is only an horizon, / and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. / lift us up, strong son of god that we may see further; / cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly; / draw us closer to thyself / that we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones who are with thee. / and while thou dost prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, / that where thou art we may be also for evermore. infant/child a baby’s message i am just a little baby / and i didn't linger there; / i went straight to be with jesus / and i'm waiting for you here. / many dwelling here where i live / waited years to enter in; / struggled through a world of sorrow / and their lives were marred with sin. / so, dear parents, don't you sorrow, / i'm not held in death's cold tomb. / i have gone to be with jesus / wipe those tears and chase the gloom. / thank you for the life you gave me, / it was brief, but don't complain, / i have all of heaven's glory: / suffered none of earthling's pain. / thank you for the name you gave me, / i'd have liked to brought it fame / had i lingered in earth's shadows / might instead have brought it shame. / 'tho you miss me please remember / i'm of all god's lambs most blest; / i'd have loved to stay there with you / but our shepherd knows what's best. a place where children are what kind of place would heaven be with all its streets of gold, / if all the souls, that dwell up there like yours and mine were old? / how strange would heaven’s music sound when harps begin to ring, / if children were not gathered round to help the angels sing. / the children that god sends to us are only just a loan, / he knows we need their sunshine to make the house a home. / we need the inspiration of a baby’s blessed smile, / he doesn’t say they’ve come to stay, just lends them for awhile. / sometimes it takes them years to do the work for which they come. / sometimes in just a month or tow our father calls them home. / i like to think some souls up there bear not one sinful scar. / i love to think of heaven as a place where children are. god’s garden god's garden has need of a little flower. / it had grown for a time here below. / but in tender love. / he took it above. / to a more favorable climate to grow. i'll be there daddy, please don’t look so sad, / mama please don’t cry. / cause i am in the arms of jesus / and he sings me lullabies. / please, try not to question god, / don’t think he is unkind. / don’t think he sent me to you, / and then he changed his mind / you see, i am a special child, / and i’m needed up above. / i’m the special gift you gave him, / the product of your love. / i’ll always be there with you / and watch the sky at night. / find the brightest star that’s gleaming, / that’s my halo’s brilliant light. / you’ll see me in the morning frost, / that mists your window pane. / that’s me in the summer showers, / i’ll be dancing in the rain. / when you feel a little breeze, / from a gentle wind that blows. / that’s me i’ll be there, / planting a kiss on your nose. / when you see a child playing, / and your heart feels a little tug. / that’s me i’ll be there, / giving your heart a hug. / so daddy, please don’t look so sad, / mama don’t you cry. / i’m in the arms of jesus, / and he sings me lullabies. little angels when god calls little children to dwell with him above. we mortals sometime question the wisdom of his love. for no heartache companies with the death of one small child who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild. perhaps god time of calling the aged to his fold, so he picks a rosebud before it can grow old. god knows how much we need them, and so he takes but few to make the land of heaven more beautiful to view. believing this is difficult still somehow we must try. the saddest word mankind knows will always be "goodbye," so when a little child departs, we who are left behind must realize god loves children. angels are hard to find. mommy and daddy please don't be sad / i miss you so much too. / it's beautiful here where i am, / but i worry a lot about you. / i sleep with angels watching me, / there's only love up here. / i'm never lonely or afraid / 'cause god is always near. / i walk with angels every day, / they're very kind and sweet. / don't worry, mom and dad, / they hold my hand when / we cross a golden street. / i never cry or hurt myself, / i see rainbows every day. / i play and laugh and sing a lot, / and i hear you both when you pray. / please mommy and daddy, / don't be mad at god, / you see, he loves me, too. / and even though you're not with me, / i'm really still with you. my forever child you are a precious child / created out of love, / a blessing from above. / i've adored you from the start, / and your little footprints touched my heart. / a single teardrop represents the millions i have cried. / my life never the same since you died. / i wish you could have stayed longer with me, / i'd watch you grow into all you could be. / although we are apart, / you are always in my heart. / i dream of a joyful time when / we will be reunited once again. / thoughts of you make me smile. / you will always be my forever child prayer for an infant o god, whose beloved son took children into his arms and blessed them: give us grace to entrust {name} to your never‑failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through jesus christ our lord, who lives and reigns with you and the holy spirit, one god, now and for ever. amen. the tiny rosebud the master gardener from heaven above / planted a seed in the garden of love / and from it grew a rosebud small / that never had time to open at all / for god in his perfect and all wise way / chose this rose for his heavenly bouquet / so think of your darling with the angels above / secure and contented and surrounded by love / and remember that god blessed and enriched your lives too / for in dying, your darling brought heaven closer to you. the tiny rosebuds (twin loss) the master gardener from heaven above / planted two seeds in the garden of love. / and from them grew rosebuds so small / that never had time to open at all / for god in his perfect and all wise way / chose these roses for his heavenly bouquet. / so think of your darlings with the angels above / secure and contented and surrounded by love. / and remember that god blessed and enriched your lives too... / for in dying, your darlings brought heaven closer to you. the blossom god on his throne in heaven / looked round at his flowers so fair / and then sought a blossom on earth / to add to those he had there / to be part of such heavenly company, / the bloom must be pure and sweet / and the little bud that was chosen / was the child who had played at our feet / sorrow is great at the loss of our child / at the parting with one we love / but the parting was made that our child might go / to brighten the heavens above. thinking of you we thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. we thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. we think of you in silence, we often speak your name. all we have are memories, and your picture in a frame. your memory is our keepsake, with which we will never part. god has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts. a million times we`ve wanted you. a million times we cried. if love could only have saved you, you never would have died. it broke our hearts to lose you. but you didn`t go alone. for a part of us went with you... the day god called you home. too pure to stay at the loss of a dear sweet child words cannot explain, how much the heart is broken, or how awful is the pain. “why doest thou take little ones?” i asked as i knelt to pray. i felt his spirit telling me; “they are too pure to stay.” i had the warmest feeling that my child is happy and waits, until we are together again past heaven’s golden gates. time will reunite us. in not too many years. in heavens place, we’ll embrace and joy will replace tears. winnie the pooh "if ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you." winnie the pooh (a.a. milne) 130 east broad street souderton, pa 18964 pennsylvania 18964 (215) 723 2300 (215) 723 2300 ‍(215) 723 0403 email us [email protected] © copyright 2005   25 anders detweiler funeral home & crematory. all rights reserved. | funeral home website by batesville®

india currents best indian american magazine | san jose ca | india currents real voices, unfiltered experiences, curated and delivered daily. sign up now! help us keep indian american stories from fading into the background. what counts as an heirloom in a rapidly changing digital world? “a loved one wishes to inherit nice things from you. not all things from you.” ― margareta magnusson every year before the festive season starts, i indulge in an important ritual. it has nothing to do with idols, lamps, and incense but is critical for a successful slide towards the end of the year. my annual rite of passage that i simultaneously look forward to and procrastinate till the last minute involves going through my saree collection. like many of my generation who grew up in urban india, i did not wear sarees while in school and college. my first experience of wearing a saree was on teacher’s day in grade ten when teachers got a break while senior students dressed up and pretended to teach the lower grades. in a rare photo of myself at that time, i stand stiff and unsmiling, wearing a pretty saree borrowed from my youngest aunt, annoyed at having to manage a slippery fabric instead of roughhousing with my classmates in my sturdy uniform. in the weeks leading up to my whirlwind arranged marriage that would whisk me from mumbai to maryland, i selected suitably grand sarees   a peacock green kanjeevaram, a pink paithani, a sunflower yellow pochampalli. yet, when i landed in the us on a cold december evening, i wasn’t sure if i would ever get a chance to wear those gorgeous sarees. as a graduate student who worked in a laboratory, i switched to jeans and jackets. i seldom gave thought to the expensive sarees that remained at the back of my closet. they got their turn occasionally when i attended weddings or other functions, most often when i visited india. i wasn’t particularly attached to them but they were a reminder of my faraway homeland. until i returned home. one of the many joys of work life in india was the opportunity to wear various kinds of outfits. from trendy western outfits, and colorful kurtas paired with stoles to wonderful sarees of various textiles and textures, i tried everything. my saree collection grew to include everyday crepes and cottons, to designer prints, and exotic weaves from many states. it was easy to accumulate and hard to part with most of what i acquired. my mother who wore sarees every day had a practical outlook on materialism. as a family, we occupied a small apartment, and since space was limited, so were our possessions. her prized sarees were from her wedding decades ago and my maternal grandmother who lived with us, took great care of the sarees she had collected over the years. while they both appreciated the finer things in life, their practical streak dictated daily life. we wore our clothes until we wore them out or outgrew them. textbooks were handed down to younger siblings unless the syllabus changed or we began pursuing a different course of study in our college years. most things served a purpose and were seldom replaced unless they stopped being useful. we deliver the best of culture and community every friday with our "this week" newsletter. it's free! stay updated, connected, and informed, one email at a time. i remember trying on a precious diamond ring that belonged to my grandmother. although she and i shared a love hate relationship during my teens, this ring fit me (and not my mother) perfectly. it had three brilliant diamonds in a classic setting. of the modest jewelry collection that they treasured and guarded with great care, this was the only piece that appealed to me. “will you give me this when i grow up?” i asked my mother softly, making sure my grandmother didn’t overhear my request. my mother didn’t reply then because the item was not hers to give, it belonged to her mother and she would choose the recipient. years after my grandmother’s passing, on one of my visits, amm took out the box and handed me the ring. it still fit. “you can have this,” she said. i protested. but we both knew that it didn’t fit her and amma didn’t want to mess with the exquisite setting. to me, that ring is a family heirloom, not for its market value but for its intrinsic worth as a physical link that connects me to my mother’s family and her history. i wear it often and feel a visceral connection to the women who came before me. at each of my moves across countries, i have had to pare down my possessions. some things were easy to discard and others brought me to tears. books, photographs, kitchen ware   each category had items that were hard to part with. yet, i persisted, trying to match the recipient with the object in the hope that it would be used, if not valued in the same way. heirlooms are defined as valuable objects that have belonged to a family for generations. in today’s culture of rapidly changing technology where new versions of devices supersede old ones constantly and not so old things are considered ancient, i wonder what will count as an heirloom? what is the thing that i should hold on to and pass on as an heirloom for my children? i doubt my sarees or even my grandmother’s jewelry would be considered a valuable heirloom. should i keep those items safe for posterity or use them while i live? i look at a picture of my parents that sits on my nightstand and pose the question silently to amma. the answer lies in the soft smile on her face. whether or not i wrap myself in a saree that belonged to her or wear her mother’s ring, what she has passed on to me is what sustains me today. i see my greying hair that is a lot like hers in that photograph, i read her neat handwriting in a book of shlokas, my brother says he hears her voice when i speak, and my daughter asks me to cook something my amma used to make. there is so much we inherit from our ancestors that doesn’t have a physical trace but inhabits our living space, our actions, and even our thoughts. the treasure trove of those intangible but invaluable memories gets handed over not on a particular day but with each word, breath, and smile. like invisible digital footprints, that is all that i will be able to leave behind for my twenty first century family. the views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of india currents. any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, individual or anyone or anything. ranjani rao is a scientist by training, writer by avocation, originally from mumbai, and a former resident of usa, who now lives in singapore with her family. ranjani rao is the author of rewriting my... more by ranjani rao most read last week p.o. box 731156 san jose, ca 95173 editor@indiacurrents.com (408) 913 1612 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we depend upon the generosity of a diverse group of individuals, along with community and other foundations for support. give now! 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piece of me the rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors. credit...photographs by cayce clifford supported by by amelia diamond amelia diamond reported for piece of me, a column about personal talismans and heirloom accessories. r.o. kwon asks her ancestors for help. two jade rings in particular, passed down by her mother, serve as a direct line and source of comfort. ms. kwon, an award winning author, wanted to be a christian pastor or a religious recluse when she was growing up. she had, as she put it, “what felt like a conversation with the lord going.” but she lost her faith as a teenager. now, in her writing, ms. kwon explores the challenge of questioning long held beliefs. her first novel, “the incendiaries,” tackled religion, while her second, “exhibit,” out last month, is about hidden desire. she wanted to write a book “centering desire, including queer desire and kinky desire,” she said, because in the past, she has felt “desperately alone in wanting as i do.” ms. kwon spoke, in an edited and condensed interview, about how she turns to her ancestral jade rings for strength and the comfort of having them on while she types. talk about the rings you’re wearing. they’re double jade rings and they’re from my mother, who received them at her wedding from her mother in law. she had them throughout my childhood, but she only ever wore them for very special occasions, like my wedding.

 supported by the actress made sure that the ring, a style also owned by her girlfriend, became a part of her costume for her role in an upcoming show by lena dunham. by amelia diamond the author, who received the ring from his favorite aunt, described himself as its custodian “for this generation.” by amelia diamond the rings, passed down by her mother, remind the author of the connection she has to her ancestors. by amelia diamond fatma al mohannadi uses local designs and artisans to create her de trove brand. by david belcher the “abbott elementary” actor talks about how his grandmother inspired his sense of style. by amelia diamond family heirlooms remind the co star of the documentary “will and harper” about new connections and the way she now walks through the world.