You can shed tears because they are gone, or you can smile because they lived.

 

You can close your eyes and pray they will come back, or you can open your eyes and see all that they left for you.

 

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them, or you can be full of the love 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 only that they are gone, or you can cherish their memory and let it live on.

 

You can cry and close your mind and feel empty, or you can do what they would want.

 

Smile, Open your heart, Love…

And go on.

 

–Elizabeth Ammons

     lessonslearnedinlife.com

 

Gracious Father,

 

We receive your greatest gift—LOVE—every day from you, from our family and friends, and from memories of those who have gone before us.  Please help us to remember how blessed we are, how blessed we have been, and how blessed we will be.  Please help us to remember to “Love First, Love All.”

 

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen