Poem read at the memorial service.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me
 And I’m not there to see;
 If the sun should rise and find your eyes
 All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry 
The way you did today;
 While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say.

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 an angel came and called my name 
And took me by the hand.

She said my place was ready 
In heaven far above;
 And that I’d have to leave behind,
 All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, 
A tear fell from my eye;
 For all my life, I’d always thought 
I didn’t want 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 relive yesterday
 Just even for awhile,
 I’d say goodbye and kiss you
 And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized 
That this could never be;
 For emptiness and memories 
Would take the 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 gates 
I felt so much at home;
 When God looked down and smiled at me
 From His great golden throne.

He said, “This is eternity
 And all I’ve promised you;
 Today your life on earth is past,
 But here it all starts anew.”

“I promise no tomorrow,
 But today will always last;
 And since each day’s the same day,
 There’s no longing for the past.”

“But you have been so faithful,
 So trusting and so true; 
Though at times you did do things,
 You knew you shouldn’t do.”

“But you have been forgiven
 And now at last you’re free; 
So won’t you take my hand
 And share my life with me?”

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.

David Romano