Congregation Unitarian Universalist of Puerto Rico
Readings for a beloved Mother, Wife, Grandmother
It is not easy to plan a memorial service for a loved one. Select a date, location, music, flowers, a member of the clergy, readings and all at a time when none of this is really what you want to plan.
Start by looking for favorite poems, verses, passages or readings of your loved one. You might also use inspirational letters or writings by your friend or relative to include in the service as a way of letting their own words speak for them. It is especially difficult to plan for a child's memorial service.
In addition, there are book resources, this site and other Internet sites with collections of poems, prose, blessings and prayers appropriate for use in a memorial service.
Readings
Gustave Flaubert
The Love Between a Mother and her Child
is a bond of the strongest kind.
It is a love of the present,
interwoven with memories of the past and dreams of the future.
It is strengthened by overcoming obstacles and facing fears and challenges together.
It is having pride in each other and knowing that our love can withstand anything.
It is sacrifice and tears, laughter and hugs.
It is understanding, patience, and believing in each other.
It is wanting only the best for each other and wanting to help anytime there is a need.
It is respect, a hug, and unexpected kindness.
It is making time to be together and knowing just what to do and say.
It is and unconditional. forever kind of love. Barbara Cage Something told the wild geese
it was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
something whispered, "snow."
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed.
But beneath warm feathers
something cautioned, "frost."
All the sagging orchards
steamed with amber spice,
but each wild breast stiffened
at remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
it was time to fly -
summer sun was on their wings,
winter in their cry
Rachel Field
GRANDMOTHER
The bright needles clicked
the old woman’s hands
quick, dextrous and expert
were a blur of colour
“Your new gloves are finished”
she eased them on to
my short plump fingers
“Now you can play in the snow”
I ran into the street, excited
the gloves soft, warm, dry
were a magical source
of safety and love.
Time drew on
my winters grew colder
the snow fell thicker
today my gloves
are faded and threadbare.
Her needles are silent
and my hands are cold.
Memories Keep Those We Love
Close To Us Forever A poem by: Linda E. Knight
Hold fast to your memories,
to all of the cherished moments
of the past,
to the blessings and the laughter,
the joys and the celebrations,
the sorrow and the tears.
They all add up to treasures
of found yesterdays
that you shared and spent together,
and they keep the one you loved
close to you in spirit and thought.
The special moments
and the memories in your life
will never change.
They will always be in your heart,
today and forevermore.
Prayer: ( followed by a moment of silent meditation)
In the quietness of this place and in the Spirit of this Community in which we share and find strength let us pray. Prayer cannot bring water to parched land, not stop a roaring flood, nor mend a broken bridge, nor rebuild a ruined city, but prayer can water an arid soul, change the tide toward righteousness, mend a broken heart and rebuild a weaken will. Let us pray.
When I think of your loving face,
and of how pleasant it is to live with you,
of you deep serenity,
your charming tranquility,
I know very well that I shall never love anyone as much as I love you.
The Love Between a Mother and her Child is Forever
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