REST IN PEACE STEVE -from all your mumsnet friends

[bossybritches]

Steve died at 10.30 in Jo's arms where he belonged.

I have spoken to her & she asked me to let you all know. Her dear friend Tracey is with her.

God he put up a good fight & I for one feel honored to have known him & his family.

Sorry to hear this - I am sure that your love and memories will carry you and your family through this sad time x

So sorry.
Thinking of you and your family at this awful time.
Rest in peace Steve

BecauseImWorthIt we had that poem read out at my dad's funeral

OJ still thinking about you & sending all our love to you & your family xx

Becauseimworthit, that poem was on a card i bought when my friends dad died, i tried to find it when i lost mum, but couldn't. I think it is lovely

Rest in peace, lovely Steve.

love to you all. x

This is the original version of the poem. My DD then aged 10, said it at her great grandmother's funeral, and as she said the last line the church filled with sunlight as though DGM was with us.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Written at least 50 years ago, this poem has been attributed at different times to J.T. Wiggins (an English emigre to America), two Americans: Mary E. Fry and Marianne Reinhardt, and more recently to Stephen Cummins, a British soldier killed in Northern Ireland who left a copy for his relatives. Others claim it is a Navajo burial prayer.

Steve was your ray of light and he will always be with you.

Jo, much love to you, Elliot, Bethan & Abbey. I can't imagine what you had to go through telling them that their wonderful daddy had died. I'm here if you you want to chat / cry / scream / laugh or all of the above. xxx

OJ and family, so sorry to hear about Steve.

Have been thinking about you all day today OJ. My FIL died just before Christmas 2006 and a friend sent me this poem, which was read at his funeral and also printed on the orders of service. I'm afraid I don't know who wrote it.

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.

Rest in peace Steve.

OJ. I'm so sorry you're now embarking on this phase of life without your soul mate. But as you say yourself, he is free from pain now. I hope you can be free from pain soon too.

Rest In Peace Steve

sending you all much love and strength xx

Have been thinking of you all day Jo, thinking of the kids, I hope they are coping, bless you al xxxx

Sending you lots of love, wishing you all the strength, am amazed by your dignity and humour. Good luck in the next phase of your journey.

xxx

Rest in peace Steve xx

Lots of love to you OJ and your lovely children, and of course to Biggles.

xxx

Thinking of you and your family.

OJ - i am so very very sorry - I send you all my love and strength and fortitude . I have no more words. I feel your pain and your tears. REst in peace now steve.xxxx

Message withdrawn

so sorry to have read this OJ.

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family at this time.
Claryxx

Spoke to Jo tonight.

She has had a day of officialdom & form filling but also lots of visits from lovely mates who have been a great strength, & Debbie the Mac nurse who helped Jo tell the kids.

They are all bearing up,the kids are being very brave & understandably a little weepy.

I passed on all the messages & love & hugs & she said to say thanks & she will be back when she gets a minute.

Funeral is arrange for next week, family flowers only at Steve & Jo's request with donations to the Mac nurses & the hospice as we'd thought. (see flowers link in chat)

Thinking of you and the children.

Thanks for the update bossy.

Weepy is understandable and good. It is a time for tears - good healing tears.

Form filling not so good I am sure but necessary.

Thanks for the update, bossy.

I hate not being able to text but she doesn't need it right now with the phone beeping I am sure.

Take care Jo.

Thank you for the update, I am constantly thinking about Jo and the children and wondering how they are.