reflections

		This is Derek's third and final book which completes a trilogy of his work and concludes the end of the journey through feelings and emotions that we must encounter during our lives. We all experience good times, bad times and hard times as the pages of life are read. Sometimes with laughter, other times with tears. Perhaps the following passages encapsulate how many feel when they lose a loved one? If you have similar feelings, then be assured you are not alone. Why?     Tell me, what is it like when the    bottom falls out of your world? When life ceases to have any meaning    and your future is no more When your heart breaks in two    and there seems no reason to go on How do you find motivation for tomorrow? Perhaps there is no answer And you ask 'Why does God permit such tragedies'? You live your life as best you can You help others along the way    and yet... You are rewarded with such pain How do you face another day    when half your life is no longer here? Do you give up and walk away    with happiness a distant place? Or do you leave the door of your heart ajar    so that healing will enter and life reborn? For God comes to those that weep It is He who will get you through Out of tragedy new life will come Out of darkness will come light Be brave, be strong and light the candle of tomorrow   The Legacy of Love     Your loved one has gone    the pain is beyond tears and words No-one can release you from    the torment that remains What is there left but an empty world? Life becomes a torturous sentence and the realisation    that grief is the price of love You search each dark corner    hoping, just hoping, for a healing beam of light Yet in your heart you know it is not to be    for the hand of life has slipped from your grasp But the darkness of adversity will now become your teacher and deliver you from a pit of despair - Open your eyes, walk outside and listen to the birds Feel the warmth of the sun on your face then look through your tears of grief for they are blinding you to the light that awaits Remember that it is only when a grape is crushed and dies that its true value is recognised Drink of the juice that is their legacy and you will experience the spirit of love that remains How sweet it tastes - O how sweet Finally, remember too that the load you carry is the grief engulfed within your heart But if you leave it with God - safe in the knowledge that your loved one now lies on a bed of perfect peace, tranquillity and love - you will walk free; free from pain, free from the anger, guilt or regret that now chain your very soul; for He will lighten your load and free your mind so that it may again clasp the hand of love - the love that remains in you never to be taken away until you meet again - the time, the place known only unto God   A Prayer For The Bereaved     Dear Lord, There comes a time in our life when we must say 'goodbye' to someone whom we love dearly and will always treasure in our thoughts. We will grieve for the loss of a soul that can never be replaced for people are unique. Tears will flow as the pain reaches our heart - will it never end? Yes, it will, but we must first go through the agony of feelings never experienced before. Although the wound will heal, a scar remains - a scar that is the legacy of the love we had.So dear Lord hear our prayer. Sometimes we wonder why You allow such things that cause us so much pain and agony. Why, Lord, why? Hear us as we cry out for mercy, understanding and strength. We are so weak; emotions flood into us - anger, guilt, regret - anger towards others, guilt for ourselves and regret of the things we did not say. Help us O Lord. Give us the grace to accept Your will and understand that at times in our life we must endure such pain for we know in our heart that whatever you do it is for a reason. We also know that no one can live forever but that Your love does; that when You call us too, our soul will live forever if we but believe Your Son died for us, that he also had to endure pain and agony on the cross. Forgive us O Lord our feelings at times of weakness - we are but a rudderless ship tossed about on an endless sea of emotion; we have lost our captain who steered the ship of life. Have mercy on us O Lord in our hour of need and give us the will to carry on for we know that You are always with us. Amen