For you, no more waiting for heaven,
And no more praying for peace:
Your fight is over, your work is done,
You have found your eternal release.
I wasn’t ready for you to leave—
But I never would have been,
So I remain here, without you,
In this miserable in-between.
My heart is broken, my words are gone,
I have cried a million tears,
And the hurt cascades inside me
Each time I realise you’re not here.
We made a lifetime of memories,
Full of family, friendship and song,
And I know it was just a rehearsal
For where you are now, all along.
But this feels nothing like heaven:
I so miss your warmth and your smile,
The music you brought to every day,
The way you made each day worthwhile.
I will always love you and miss you,
And life will never be the same,
I will cherish your memory forever
And always smile when I speak your name.
©2020 Joanne Van Leerdam
wordynerdbirdwrites.wordpress.com 
Reblogged this on WordyNerdBird and commented:
Farewell, My Friend.
I was asked to write a poem for my friend’s funeral, and to read it during the graveside ceremony.
In all honesty, I’m not sure how I managed to do that. It was hard, and confronting, and very emotional.
But I wanted to honour her. I valued the opportunity to speak what we were all feeling. And I cherished the fact that they asked me to do this for them.
I drew on every skill I have as an actor and a public speaker to do it, but it was no performance. It came from the very depths of my heart and soul.
I love her enormously and I miss her terribly. And, in that, I am not alone. She was a wonderful, wise, caring, loyal and inspiring woman.
With the permission of her husband, I am sharing the poem I wrote for her, and for her family, with you today.
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I tried to comment the other day but it apparently didnt work.
This is a beautiful poem and fitting for your friendship with Helen. She was indeed a special lady and friend. The quilts she made you will keep you warm – as will your memories of her.
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