No one deeply loved is ever lost... so you, my darling, are not lost to me.  I find you again and again... in the music my mind associates with you... in a dear remembered phrase... in the lines of a poem we both loved... You return to me in every beautiful experience of my life.

Oh yes, the physical evidence is lost to my limited view... but this was only a small part of all I knew and loved.  Our shared memories form a golden stair from my life to yours... keeping us very close.

I can not return the fallen petals to a rose... but I can close my eyes and see again its perfection... its beauty... I can almost smell its wondrous fragrance... and in rememberingit becomes even lovelier... and so, my dear, it is with you...

There are no real endings... only new beginnings.  Our relationship has not ended... it has only taken another form and is dearer for remembering.

Words I only listened to with my ears... I remember with my heart and they are more precious to me... I find myself following advice I pushed aside long ago... quoting words I didn't even know I remembered... To lose is to find again and hold forever.

You left so much with me... and took a part of me with you... now even Heaven seems less strange... I am no longer afraid... Your love has lighted the way... Your way is love and light.

As a very little girl, I would lie on the warm earth and reach heaven-ward.  So near, the clouds seemed to brush my eager fingertips... almost... but not quite... Once I stacked boxes... one on the other... for surely then I could touch the sky.  In the short moment... before I tumbled down... I found I was no closer than I had been before... still reaching... hoping...

Even then I realized... To reach upward I would have to build from within... stretch my soul... not my fingertips.

Building for eternity, I count each unselfish thought... each generous act... each sign of goodness... as a step forward in my climb toward Heaven.  There are moments when I waver... when I am less than He would have me be... my buildings tumble... I try again... using stronger... worthier... material.

It is then you are close, Mother, I feel your presence... I can almost hear you as you explain how I am to Him... beg his patience... understanding... I am strengthened... even as your love has always strengthened me...

I haven't lost you... nor will I ever... You are there... but you are here, too... in my heart... forever and ever...