I found this again today (below). Someone had sent it to me at the time of my father's death and I remember it gave me great comfort then so I am hoping it will bring comfort to those of you who have not previously read it. I know that it was written with human mortals in mind,but I am sure that Mr. Holland would not mind if we used it in relation to our furry ones too as I am sure the message holds true for all living beings that we love. I especially like the last three lines; they are keeping me going at the moment.
Love and peace to all of you
B
x

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.

Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918
Canon of St Paul's Cathedral

wow...thank you Brigid. That really touched me. Like my Angel wanted me to read that...

This line in particular: Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.


It made me realize that i still speak her name with a touch of sadness in my voice. With time, i'm hoping that her name will make me smile instead of making me cry.


It also made me notice that Angel really is still with me. She is there in all of her kittens. I can see her in their faces, and those knowing eyes that cats have. They all have a little part of her within them, as do i. Loki got her wonderfully sweet and loving nature, Sara has her tiny face and paws, plus Angel's hunting ability. Sarge was blessed with her inability to take "no lap time now" for an answer, as well as her drooling and fidgiting Cotton ball got her "leave me alone, but let me in your lap" attitude. And although my sweet little P-kitty is at the rainbow bridge now, she recieved her mother's shocking beauty.



thank you Brigid... i needed that

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING "All is well".
Today is the perfect day for me to read this. It is such a blessing to me that I wanted to say thank you for sending it out. I know that God will direct folks to it at the time when they need it as He did me today.
My Penni thanks you too---know that she understands the sadness as she sees my from above, however, I also know that she would like for my to honor her memory with smiles through the tears.

Thanks Again
Leona

Brigid
I agree - that line "Let my name be ever the household word that it always was" is very important - I cant speak Sgiths name without a heaving in my heart again but in time, I want tobe able to talk about him without that searing pain and laugh at his memory. It brings comfort to me to know that that day will come.
I do believe we'll meet again - when I spoke to him this morning ,there was no wind about at all and I spoke quietly for a minute or two - as I left a gust blew up and blew his wind chime, just once. Just a conincidence probably but it gives me hope to think that maybe, just maybe it wasn't.
Fiona