They filed in through the church door Then paused to sign the book Siblings, friends and family Together for one last look They had gathered for a funeral After traveling hundreds of miles Two sons stood by the casket Greeting them with saddened smiles The room contained no flowers It was her lifelong plan That flowers should be for the living To enjoy while they still can The gathering was a sparse one Some eyes were red with tears Offering hugs and handshakes To family not seen for years As the line filed by the coffin They saw another now gone Knowing they would never talk again For her life on Earth was done Some wished that they had told her Of the love and laughter she'd spread And how much she was appreciated But they had kept their silence instead With regrets and tears of sadness Family and friends gathered 'round To bid one last and fond farewell To a loved one Heaven bound Kathleen McCoy Eldridge© March 31, 2006 All Rights Reserved