Don't Grieve For Me

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free;
I'm following the path G*d laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I to will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.~
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
G*d wanted me now, He set me free.

The author of this poem is unknown. My daughter Courtney chose this poem to read at the service of her beloved grandmother, "Nan". My mother passed on Friday June 8th, peacefully in her home which she loved so dearly, after preparing her husbands dinner which she did faithfully for 55 years.It is said that only the most righteous pass on their birthday. My mother Joan, passed on my birthday. My Rabbi, Rabbi Baruch Binyamin HaKohen Melman gave over to me a chidush in which he related that on the day you give birth it is like you are reborn. So in essence she passed on her rebirthday. The question is often asked why we mourn a parent for year but a child for only 30 days. The answer in it's simplest form is that we will only ever have one mother who gave us the gift of life. My nother not only gave me the gift of life, she gave me a love of life and the gift of hospitality ~Elizabeth kosmerl