Tom started proceedings with this ...
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
And each time you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand.
That God came and called my name and took me by the hand.
He said my place is ready in heaven for above,
And that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life I'd always thought it wasn't my time to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,
It seems almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could have stayed for just a little while,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realize that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things that I'd miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through Heaven's gate and felt so much at home,
As God looked down and smiled at me form his great golden throne.
He said this is eternity and all I've promised you,
Today your life on earth is past but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow but today will always last,
And since each day's the same here there's no longing for the past.
So when tomorrow starts without me don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me I'm right here in your heart.
By: Jamie Leigh Dale
Tim was actually leading the service, but Tom started first. We had 3 hymns that Dad chose years ago as well as Dan and Tom doing Bible readings. Again Nick asked me and I knew what Dad's favourite chapters were .... 1 John 1 and Revelation 21. The final reading the boys did was this poem read by Joe ...
The Broken Chain
We little knew the day that
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories.
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.
by Ron Tranmer
Nick chose one poem, and Tim the other ... and they just fitted in so well for my daddy
