Gone from My Sight

"I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze 
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength, 
and I stand and watch until at last she hangs 
like a speck of white cloud 
just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. 
Then someone at my side says, 
"There she goes!"

Gone where?

Gone from my sight . . . that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the place of destination.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment
when someone at my side says,
" There she goes! "
there are other eyes watching her coming . . .
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout . . .

"Here she comes!"

by: Henry Van Dyke

Two years ago today I lost my stepdad to cancer. I am still near speechless about the matter. My oldest sissy encouraged me to read the hospice booklet "Gone from My Sight." I resisted because I didn't want to face the loss. That book was powerful as is the above from Henry Van Dyke. While I miss him much and wish he were here, I am so thankful for the peace, joy, and comfort that comes from the Lord. I am beyond thankful for his unconditional love, the time we did have together on earth, and seeing him again in heaven. If you have lost a loved one this year or recently, know that I am praying for you as the holidays prove a little more difficult without all our loved ones. Peace to you and yours!!! Xoxo-BLC