The Dying Process: Thank You for Being There

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Thank You for Being There

You may not think you're able to write a poem of love and thanks that will be kept long after you are gone. But as you can see in reading the following, today's poetry doesn't have to rhyme. Only the message is important. This is an excellent example of what you can do to let those you love know how much they have meant to you. Your gesture will go a long way toward healing the grief that will follow your death.

Patty Paul wrote this in an e-mail to friends in February, 1999: "This poem was read at Richard's funeral services by his friend Mike Stevenson. I will treasure it always. I thank him for being there for me, and I thank God for sharing him with me for these 30+ years."

To Patty

December 1, 1998

Thank you for being there

for me

Thank you

for riding through the rough waters

of changing with me.

Thank you for holding my hand.

And thank you for waiting.

Thank you

for believing in me

when I pushed you away.

Thank you for taking the time

to help me find my way.

Thank you for standing beside me.

Thank you for each day

you were there for me.

Thank you for being there for me

when I needed you most

I am grateful for your unending love, devotion, and concern.

There is no one else I would have wanted to share my life

but you.

Our hope is that we will go on together for many years.

Thank you

— Richard