Tonight There Is A Candle Burning

For Laura:

Tonight there is a candle burning,

It's burning just for you.

It represents the loss that's felt

As you are bid adieu.

Tonight there is a candle burning,

It's flame is warm and bright.

It represents the life you lived,

The beacon in their night.

Tonight there is candle burning,

It's dancing with the air.

It represents the love you gave,

That will forever linger here.

Tonight there is a candle burning,

It flickers with the tears.

It represents the memories you left,

They'll be cherished through the years.

Tonight there is a candle burning,

It's in honor of all you are.

It represents how to the lives you touched,

You'll always be near no matter how far away you are.

Tonight there is a candle burning,

It reminds us you're now with the Lord.

Your suffering has ended, You spread your wings,

Sweet butterfly, this candle means you've soared.

Poem by TD, Copyright

The friend I asked you to pray for, "B", his wife passed away late last night.  Please keep "B" and their sons and extended family in your prayers.  I cannot imagine loosing my spouse.  My heart aches for them.

Laura was young, middle aged.  In 2008, I lost two precious people in my life, who were both middle aged.  They all left behind spouses who loved them, children who cherished them and a world that needed them.  It's hard to imagine how fragile life really is.  We don't really want to think about those things.  It stirs up fear and it makes our hearts hurt.  But when it happens to us or someone we know, its hard not to think about.  It makes me think about my spouse, our parents, our son, our siblings...how we really should treat each other better, love each other sweeter.  That old cliche', "life's too short" is so true.  So why don't we cherish it, savor it more?  Why do we force ourselves into hurried lives that leave little time for our families and limited time for our spiritual lives?  Why are those things which are the most important left at the bottom of the To Do list?

I didn't know Laura, but I knew her husband "B" and I adore "B".  I'm deeply saddened for him and their family and I've been praying constantly for peace and comfort for them amidst the suffering...horrible suffering.  How quickly life can change. 

My prayer for you this night is that you hug your spouses, children, parents, pets, friends, siblings, grandparents and you thank God for the moments you have together.  There is no utopia here on earth, but strive to make the best of every situation.  Do all the good you can, to all you can, as often as you can.  Even when you're angry, don't forget to say "I love you".  Forgive others and yourself.  Do no harm.  Be grateful for the blessings in your life and realize that the best gifts in life really don't come from a store, but they come from the heart of God...don't work extra hours and stay away from those gifts just to earn more money to buy things you don't need.  Love deeper, harder, without inhibitions.  Don't be afraid to love with all of your heart and don't be afraid to get a little hurt.  For it's when we loose someone we love that we know by the pain left in our hearts just how well they loved us.