Ruth

Today I went to the funeral of my sister-in-law, Ruth. One of her friends read a poem at the cemetery, and I thought it was very beautiful. When I looked it up on line, I found it was the poem read by Gregory Peck at the funeral of Frank Sinatra.

Ruth was always soft-spoken, and I loved talking with her about museums and travel. I will miss her very much, but find comfort knowing she is no longer in pain.

To Those I Love
If I should ever leave you,
Whom I love
To go along the silent way. . .
Grieve not.
Nor speak of me with tears.
But laugh and talk of me
As if I were beside you there.

(I'd come. . .I'd come,
Could I but find a way!
But would not tears and
And grief be barriers?)

And when you hear a song
Or see a bird I loved,
Please do not let the thought of me
Be sad. . .for I am loving you
Just as I always have. . .

You were so good to me!
There are so many things
I wanted still to do. . .
So many things I wanted to say
to you. . . Remember that
I did not fear. . . It was
Just leaving you
That was so hard to face.

We cannot see beyond. . .
But this I know:
I loved you so. . .
'twas heaven here with you!

-Isla Paschal Richardson