"He is Gone"

I said farewell to an old friend. This window dominates the chapel at Clydebank Crematorium.

A life well lived, a road well travelled. A privilege to have known him.

The service included the poem "He is Gone". I found it helpful as I remembered my parents.

He is Gone
"You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes,
love and go on."
(David Harkins)