“I’m just going on ahead…”

There are many amongst us who have lost a loved one, and grieve for that person. A month ago, my wife’s mother slipped into eternal sleep. I saw the tears that line the eyes of her children and grandchildren and feel the sorrow that sits in their hearts, and a few lines come to my mind:

She is only going on a little ahead
To fashion a home for you.
There will be curtains blowing,
And books, as there used to be;
Pictures, a desk, and tables fair
Where friends shall love to come…
She is only going on as a mother would
To find a new home for you.

She is only going on as others have
Who vanished from our sight,
Others whose lives with ours were wed
Till that mysterious flight.
None should declare her death to you,
Your loneliness deplore —
Oh it is like her to go ahead
To open a new door.

She is only going on a little ahead
To find you the loveliest place;
There will be golden roses there
Abloom in an azure place;
Poppies, pansies, and daffodils
And moss you will love to tread —
‘Oh mother,’ you’ll cry, now it’s clear to me
You’ve only gone on ahead.

Wipe those tears children! She is only going there ahead. And as she walks over to that new place, she will not take with her the illness that was eating her up. She will go with no pain, no sickness. And as she goes, I know she will turn to all of you and say, “While I check out this new place for you, I know you can walk alone on earth. I’ve taught you that; now let me learn to walk over here!”

Wipe those tears; it’s only for awhile you’ll walk alone. Soon you’ll hear her cry, “It’s time for you to come home to the place I have been living in.”

Then you’ll look at your own lil’ ones and say the same words she or he who has gone before say now;

I’m only going on a little ahead
To find you the loveliest place;
There will be golden roses there
Abloom in an azure place;
Poppies, pansies, and daffodils
And moss you will love to tread!