In honor of the men and women who have sacrificed time with their families, a hot meal on their plates, a safe place to sleep and, ultimately, their lives in the defense of the freedom of this country, I’m going to bow my head in silence. In the silence, I would like to share the words of the immortal Mary Frye in “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep”, a poem that’s touched my heart and offered comfort in the dark places as we say goodbye to those who gave everything they had in the support of everything they believed. Bless you all.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow;
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain;
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush;
I am in the graceful rush.
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.