This week hasn’t been much better than last. Our poor community. So far this week we’ve had three new diagnoses of cancer. Our poor little town needs a break, that is for sure. Tecumseh is thankfully a close-knit community that takes care of its own, for which I am proud that I live here.

Today was a tough day. A wonderful young man was put to rest while his beautiful family stood near-by and well over 400 persons from the community watched. The church was so over-flowing that we had to sit in the Parrish hall and watch the service via video…and we arrived 35 minutes before the service was to start! The church is a mere four blocks away but we still were going to drive because we planned to attend the grave side service as well. We pulled out of our garage, drove through the alley and turned around and parked in front of the house…the cars were already lined up that far! This pays tribute to what an amazing man was lost!

He was a volunteer fireman and therefore all you could see was firetrucks, ambulances, etc…cars went on FOREVER. He received his final page at the cemetery. There is something to be said about hearing dozens of pagers going off simultaneously for one “final” call to service for a young man. It was horrible and beautiful, however that makes sense. I pray for peace for his family as they begin to heal. Below is the poem they placed in his program…have a kleenex handy:

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me. 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 Jesus came and called my name, and took me by the hand. He said my place is ready in heaven far above, and that I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye, for all life I’d always thought it wasn’t my time to die. I had so much to live for so much 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’ve stayed for just a little while, I’d say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realize that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take 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 gate and felt so much at home, As God looked down and smiled at me from His great golden throne,

He said, “This is eternity, and all I’ve promised you. Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.” “I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day’s the same here there’s no longing for the past.”

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.