IF TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME

A few weeks ago, a woman had been killed in an auto accident.  She was very well liked.  The school systems shut down for her funeral.  It was on the news, and many people attended her funeral.

On the day her coworkers returned to work, they found the following poem in their email. The deceased woman had sent it on Friday, before she left for home, and was in the accident.

When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me;

I wish, so much, you wouldn't cry,
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you;
And, each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me, too.

But, when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.

She said my place was ready,
In Heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But, as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do;
It seemed almost impossible
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones, and the bad;
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye, and kiss you,
And maybe see you smile.

But, then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories
Would take the place of me.

And, when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But, when I walked through Heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home,
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.
Today, your life on earth is past,
But, here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last.
And, since each day's the same way,
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting, and so true;
Though there were times you did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.

But, you have been forgiven,
And, now, at last you're free;
So, won't you come and take my hand,
And share my life with me?"

So, when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For, every time you think of me,
I'm right here in your heart.