Yesterday I learnt that delivering a eulogy for my much loved 89 year old Uncle Ben was not as hard as my fears had led me to believe. I kept my chin up, gripped my hands behind my back and spoke about him for 5 minutes ending with a poem (below). I didn't fluff my lines & I remembered to say a profound thank you to his wife of only 20 years for the love, companionship and contentment she'd brought to him. I cried when I'd finished though.
When people came to me afterwards & told me of their appreciation of my words I felt very humble but happy that I'd chosen to speak.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the 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 awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night,
Do no stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep. Anon
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