The celebration of life,
shared in the beginning, and again, in the end.
Yet we forget to celebrate it, in every moment we live.
Time, days, years, go on, but are we alive?
Alive and do not know it, sleeping in the world
and dead to the life we are to live.
To celebrate all life,
the sparrow who sang in the morning,
and died in the night,
why do we not celebrate its life?
To know thyself is to know you are alive -
to give, to love, to seek truth, beauty, and suffer pain.
In life as it is meant to be, pain is forgotten, and
strength is all that’s left to be gained
in the moment by moment celebration of life.
~ By Deborah Peabody

Happy Birthday April!

May your light continue to shine forever. Remembering you today and each day in our hearts. Gone but not forgotten.

Mother 05/01/08

Gone But Not Forgotten
by Vanessa Jackson Fields

In Paradise you have found your dwelling place
Surrounded by God's care 
No harm, hurt, or danger will you ever have to endure
Your love continues to affect our lives as
"Memories flower time and time again in the heart's garden"

You are gone but not forgotten
Still alive in our hearts

Each season brings memories of the love you so freely shared.
On the fresh fallen snow, I see your face aglow.

Spring is here, it's in the budding of the trees
April showers, Spring flowers
I'm reminded of the new life you have received.
I see your radiant smile 
Shining from above through the summer sun.
Fall reminds me of your purpose driven life
Like a flourishing tree with changing leaves.

You are gone but not forgotten
Still alive in our hearts.

Performed as song dedicated to April's memory, 
"In Bondage, A Moment of Rage" Play, 
March 25, 2006


Seasons Change
by Charisma  
April,
A time in life when all good things are in season
Seeds become flowers and everything is dipped in sunshine

And there is love

There was love
But

Now April Showers cast our days to gray and we mourn the loss of our sunshine

Southern bells toll with the heaviness of loss
As we grieve our pink and green princess
Bereaved by the theft of hope and of a future
Bright as the smile that brought light to our grayest of days

But not today…

Partly cloudy eyes prepare to say farewell to our sunshine
But, today, as the wind whispers and the sky smiles
We realize that our heart’s impending autumn could never take the place of

April’s Love
                            
                                                                            September 21, 2005
                                                                              The first day of fall 



Gone but Not Forgotten
by Kelsey Y. Sheppard

You were so full of life,
Always smiling and carefree,
Life loved you being a part of it,
And I loved you being a part of me.

You could make anyone laugh,
If they were having a bad day,
No matter how sad I was,
You could take the hurt away.
Nothing could every stop you,
Or even make you fall,
You were ready to take on the world,
Ready to do it all.
But God decided he needed you,
So from this world you left,
But you took a piece of all of us,
Our hearts are what you kept.

Your seat is now empty,
And it's hard not to see your face,
But please always know this,
No one will ever take your place.

You left without a warning,
Not even saying good-bye,
And I can't seem to stop,
Asking the question why?
Nothing will ever be the same,
The halls are empty without your laughter,
But I know you're in Heaven,
Watching over us and looking after.
I didn't see this coming,
It hit me by surprise,
And when you left this world,
A small part of me died.
Your smile could brighten anyone's day,
No matter what they were going through,
And I know everyday for the rest of my life,
I'll be missing you.
Love Always,
Your Friends 


To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me
submitted by Gwendolyn Ragland

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears.
Be thankful for our beautiful years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for love you have shown,
But now it’s time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a time that we must past.
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then when you must come this way alone,
I’ll greet you with a smile and say
“Welcome Home.”

Happy Birthday April!!!!

It's not easy that you're not here with us but you will always be in our hearts.  'Til we meet.

With love always,
Mother      05/01/07


MY DAUGHTER

Having a daughter is a dream
Giving birth seems so real
Looking at my precious being
Seems impossible to believe

That perfectly shaped child
So gentle and mild
Watched her grow through the years
A wonderful experience to share

The joy she brought to my life
Certainly removed all my strife
Thank God for such a creation
She blossomed into a lovely carnation

She was like a glowing light
Shining so bright in the night
Together we now kneel in prayer
This is what we both share

My daughter the gift of life
Will always be my side

© WendyOM.OMurray 


Happy Birthday April!!!!

Today was the date that you were born 21 years ago.  I remember the day like it was yesterday, a blessing from God and filled with unspeakable joy.  

In one of the stars
I shall be living 
In one of them
I shall be laughing 
And so it will be 
as if all the stars
were laughing 
when you look 
at the sky at night
....and there is sweetness 
in the laughter of all the stars....
and in the memories 
of those you love
                            The Little Prince

I was given this poem by one of your friends because they are now able to smile when they look at the sky.  I, too, smile when I think of your beauty, intellect, and love.  Shine bright, my star.

With Love,
Mother 05/01/06