For All Our Losses - By Patricia Sheldon

Adapted by Michael Howard

For those we miss.
For things long gone.

For those we last held...
In our arms, in our hands
and in our hearts—we pray.
For memories to stay strong
Memories of words and warmth,
Of actions and stillness—we pray.

For Love shared and loved,
Love to remain with us and with them,
For that to become enough—we pray.
We pray for the courage to put our feet
on the floor when we wake.

And though at times we may feel
as if we simply no longer care,
May the Spirit of Life rise up
and empower us to move
As those who still do--care.

O Love that holds us all:
Hold on to us, while we hold on
to what we have lost.
Amen.