Today I met with a family to plan the funeral of their much loved mother.  They had already been sorting through her possessions and had found a box full of handwritten poems and verses, among them one which will be used at her funeral.  I have tried Google it to find online to no avail - maybe she even wrote it herself, I don't know.  What I like is that, although it is a bit Patience Strong like, it isn't too mawkish or too maudlin, but instead combines honesty about life with unquenchable hope. This woman knew life in the raw, believe me, yet right to the end her faith was strong... 

We Can't Have a 'Crown' Without a 'Cross'

We all have those days that are dismal and dreary

And we feel sorta blue and lonely and weary,

But we have to admit that life is worth living

And God gives us the reason for daily thanksgiving.

For life's experience God's children go through

That's made up of gladness and much sadness too...

But we have to know both the bitter and sweet

If we want a good life that is full and complete;

For each trial we suffer and every shed tear

Just give us the strength to persevere.

As we 'climb' the 'steep hills' along life's way

That lead us at last to that wonderful day

Where the 'cross' we have carried becomes a 'crown'

And at last we can lay our burden down! 

Author unknown.