Monday's Mourning Ministry - The Permanence of Your Absence - Here Comes Goodbye ~Rascal Flatts

Monday's Mourning Ministry

The Permanence of Your Absence

Here Comes Goodbye ~Rascal Flatts

"Which had just brought on a fresh bucket of sobs, both girls going to hell then, beginning to wail and hug each other and shake, mouths wide and oval and slightly skewered in the pantomime of grief Sean had seen time and time again, the moment when...the levee broke and

the permanence of the victim's absence truly hit home.

Times like that, there was nothing you could do but watch or leave."

~Dennis LeHane, Mystic River

*****

The Permanence of Your Absence

The family's together watching a comedy routine,

In the warmth of the company, we laugh till we cry

At comedians you laughed at in the very same scene,

But you're not here with us ~ O why baby why?

Each moment together, now there's a hole:

A presence is missing, an invaluable soul.

We've cancelled Christmas gatherings, birthdays too;

Our family's not a "family" without the presence of you.

After 4 1/2 years, it's beginning to sink in,

The permanence of your absence ~ you're "gone with the wind."

You wanted to be a comedian when you grew up:

You loved to crack us up ~ we laughed till we cried

At some of your antics since you were a wee pup...

You still leave us crying, but we're dying inside:

Our hearts broke apart on the day that you died.

Each moment together, there's a gaping hole

Until we reach Heaven, we'll no longer be whole;

Each moment together, now there's a hole,

Your presence is missing, sweet invaluable soul.

But sweet baby girl, God says you're nearby

In His cloud of witnesses who watch from the sky.

Please hover over, we need you nearby,

And bear with us baby as you live ~ yet we cry...

And your presence is with us through each mournful sigh...

May God send His comfort...that you live while we die...

Each moment together, now there's a hole:

Your presence is missing, sweet invaluable soul...

*****

Rascal Flatts was one of Merry Katherine's favorite country music groups, which makes the following music even more poignant than it already would be for me. Be sure to watch this video to the very end for a sweet surprise.

Here Comes Goodbye

Rascal Flatts

Written By: Chris Sligh, Clint Lagerberg

I can hear the truck tires coming up the gravel road
And it’s not like her to drive that slow, nothings on the radio
Footsteps on the front porch, I hear my doorbell
She usually comes right in, now I can tell

Here comes goodbye, here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night
The first of every tear I’m gonna cry
Here comes the pain, Here comes me wishing things had never changed
She was right here in my arms tonight, but here comes goodbye

I can hear her say I love you like it was yesterday
And I can see it written on her face that she had never felt this way
One day I thought I’d see her with her daddy by her side
And violins would play here comes the bride

But here comes goodbye, here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night,
The first of every tear I’m gonna cry
Here comes the pain, Here comes me wishing things had never changed
She was right here in my arms tonight, but here comes goodbye

Why's it have to go from to good to gone?
Before the lights turn on, yeah and you’re left alone
All alone, but here comes goodbye

Oh-oh-oh-oh-ohh

Here comes goodbye, here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night
The first of every tear I’m gonna cry
Here comes the pain, Here comes me wishing things had never changed
She was right here in my arms tonight, but here comes goodbye

Picture thanks to FotoSearch.com

Poem - The Permanence of Your Absence" - Angie Bennett Prince - 3/5/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uq3nI11w4g&feature=related

Blessed Thanksgiving - Under Your Wings / "The Prayer" ~Celtic Woman

Blessed Thanksgiving

Under Your Wings

~

"The Prayer" ~Celtic Woman

Under Your Wings...

My child who rests under Your wings,

Lifts her voice to You and sings ~

God who longs to gather us near,

Hold us close, and catch each tear ~

Surrounded by Your love each day,

We walk in peace midst grief's way.

May we too rest under Your wings

Like Your fragile bird who sings

Despite the cold, amidst the storm,

Knowing You're there to keep him warm.

Keep our hearts at rest in Thee.

Within grief's glow, Your face we'll see,

E'en as our child looks up at Thee...

*****

"The Prayer"

~Celtic Woman

I pray You'll be our eyes

And watch us where we go--

And help us to be wise

In times when we don't know...

Let this be our prayer

As we go our way:

Lead us to a place,

Guide us with Your grace,

To a place where we'll be safe.

I pray we'll find Your light

And hold it in our hearts;

When stars go out each night,

Remind us where You are.

Let this be our prayer

When shadows fill our day:

Lead us to a place,

Guide us with Your grace,

Give us faith so we'll be safe.

(Interlude)

We ask that life be kind

And watch us from above;

We hope each soul will find

Another soul to love...

Let this be our prayer:

Just like every child

Needs to find a place

Guide us with Your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe.

Need to find a place,

Guide us with Your grace,

Give us faith so we'll be safe.

*****

He who dwells in the shelter

of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of

the Almighty...

He will cover you with His

feathers,

and under His wings you

will find refuge...

~Psalm 91:1,4a

I call on You, O God, for

You will answer me;

give ear to me and hear

my prayer.

Show the wonder of Your

great love,

You who save by Your right

hand

those who take refuge in

You from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of

Your eye;

hide me in the shadow of

Your wings...

~Psalm 17:6-8

How priceless is Your

unfailing love!

Both high and low among

men

find refuge in the shadow

of Your wings.

They feast on the abundance

of Your house;

You give them drink from

Your river of delights.

For with You is the fountain

of life;

in Your light we see

light.

~Psalm 36:7-9

Have mercy on me, O God,

have mercy on me,

for in You my soul takes

refuge.

I will take refuge in the

shadow of Your wings

until the disaster has

passed.

I cry out to God Most High,

to God, who fulfills His

purpose for me.

He sends from heaven and

saves me...

~Psalm 57:1-3a

Hear my cry, O God;

listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I

call to You,

I call as my heart grows

faint;

lead me to the rock that is

higher than I.

For You have been my

refuge,

a strong tower against the

foe.

I long to dwell in Your tent

forever

and take refuge in the

shelter of Your wings.

Selah.

~Psalm 61:1-4

O God, You are my God,

earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for You,

my body longs for You,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

I have seen You in the

sanctuary

and beheld Your power

and Your glory.

Because Your love is better

than life,

my lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I

live,

and in Your name I will lift

up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as

with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth

will praise You.

On my bed I remember You;

I think of You through the

watches of the night.

Because You are my help,

I sing in the shadow of

Your wings.

I stay close to You;

Your right hand upholds

me.

~Psalm 63:1-8

Picture: http://angelos-gabriyel.xanga.com/687367996/rest-in-the-shadow-of-his-wings/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ928V55S5U&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-2-HM

Poem - Under Your Wings - Angie Bennett Prince - 11/22/10

All scriptures are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible