God's Garden

When preparing for my mom's funeral service, we were asked by my friend Carla, who would be doing the service, if she had any favorite poems or scriptures.  I could not think of any that she had specifically shared with me in the past.  I went back to the room I was staying in and started going through drawers and papers to see if I could find anything that was special to her.  I wanted so badly for her funeral ceremony to be perfect, as she deserved nothing less.  I came across the memoirs of her former boss, Dr. Peter Mellette, whom she loved and respected dearly.  My mom had typed this manuscript for Dr. Mellette before he died, and she typed it the old fashion way, on a typewriter.  Dr. Mellette had signed and given my mom the original copy when it was completed.  Inside, my mom had saved the funeral service program from his funeral and I also found this poem.  I read the poem and started to weep.  I don't know how she got her hands on this poem, but it was perfect for my mom's service.  I took it out to show Carla, my dad and my brothers and told them that I didn't know why mom had it, but I thought it was perfect for her and clearly she must have loved it to keep a copy.  We had to cut out a few lines for it to fit on my mom's funeral program, but Carla read it in it's entirity during the service.  I have since learned it is called God's Garden and the author in unkown. 

Today, I am still struggling with my mom's death.  I miss her more and more everyday.  And when I have something I want to tell her, I remember I can't call her and tell her.I hope that she sees how badly I want to speak with her and that maybe when she sees this piece of art I did this morning, she will see how special she is.  My mom loved gardening and being outside, and the thought of her being a part of God's Garden brings me some peace.  I love you mom and hope you are pleased with this piece I put together in honor of you this morning.

God's Garden

God looked around His garden and found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the 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 that you were suffering. He knew you were in pain.

He knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw the road 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 didn't go alone.

Part of us went with you the day God took you home.

If tears could build a stairway and heartaches make a lane,

We'd walk a path to heaven to be with you again.