Expressions for Sympathy Cards.
Some in German, some in English
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Je lebendiger und voller die Erinnerung,
Desto schwerer ist die Trennung.
Aber die Dankbarkeit verwandelt die Erinnerung
In eine stille Freude.
Man traegt das vergangene Schoene
Wie ein kostbarer Schatz.
D. Bonhoeffer
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Von guten Maechten wunderbar geborgen,
Erwarten wir getrost was kommen mag.-
Gott ist bei uns am Abend und am Morgen,
Und ganz gewiss an jedem neuen Tag.
D. Bohnhoeffer
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Hier ist ein Abschied, dort ein Wiedersehn,
Hier ein Vortgeh’n, dort ein Heimkehren,
Hier ist ein Ende, dort ein Neubeginn.
Hier ist ein Erloeschen, dort ein Wiederaufstrahlen.
Hier ist ein Sterben, dort ein Erwachen
Zum ewigen Leben.
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Wer gestorben ist, ist nicht tot,
Sondern ist nur fern!
Tot ist nur wer vergessen ist.
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Wie die Jahresringe im Holz der Baeume,
Wie die Flechtenschrift auf den Steinen,
Wie die Furchen des Regens im Feld,
Wie die Windspuren im Sand,
Wie die Adern der Blaetter,
Und die Farbtupfen auf den Fluegeln der Schmetterlinge.
So ist der – (Name) – geschrieben in Gottes Hand.
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Letzte Worte
Geliebte, wenn mein Geist geschieden,
So weint mir keine Traene nach;
Denn, wo Ich weile , dort ist Frieden,
Dort leuchtet mir ein ew’ger Tag.
Wo aller Erndengram verschwunden,
Soll eurer Bild mir nicht vergehen.
Und Linderung fuer Eure Wunden,
Fuer Euren Schmerz will ich erflehn.
Weht naechtlich seine Seraphsfluegel,
Der Friede uebers Weltenreich,
So denkt nicht mehr an einem Huegel,
Denn von den Sternen gruess ich Euch.
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When Hearts are filled with sorrow,
There is little one can say,
For only time can comfort you
When dear-ones pass away.
So may the time be hastened,
Until sorrow will depart
And many happy memories,
Will live on within your heart.
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Death is a Doorway
On the wings of death
The soul takes flight
Into the land
Where there is no night.
For those, who believe
What the Savior said
Will rise in glory
Though they be dead.
So death comes in us
Just to open the door
To the kingdom of God
And life evermore.
Helen Steiner Rice
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A Mansion in Heaven
This world, however beautiful,
was never meant to be
The place that we would call our home
for all eternity.
And though we would not choose to leave
a loving God knows best,
And in his time, he lifts us to a place
of peace and rest.
For he has build a mansion
where his children will abide,
Free from pain and sorrow,
Forever at his side.
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Peacefully, sleep comes to a dear and beloved heart.
Quietly, we understand the time has come to part.
Tenderly, the love shines on –a never ending light.
Gratefully, we feel the warmth and say:
“Sweet dreams, good night.”
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In every life, there comes a time
To walk in shadows and in sunlight,
To hear silence and song,
To wait in sadness, and carry on in hope.
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One Must Stay,
One or the other must leave,
One or the other must stay.
One or the other must grieve,
That is forever the way.
That is the vow that was sworn,
Faithful till death do us part.
Braving what had to be born,
Hiding the ache in the heart.
One howsoever adored,
First must be summoned away,
That is the will of the Lord
One or the other must stay.
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Miss Me – But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul that is free.
Miss me at little – but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the Love that we once shared.
Miss me – but let me go.
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If tears could build a stairway
And memories were the lane
We would walk right up to heaven
And bring you back again.
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why.
Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears will flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
But now we know you want us
To mourn for you no more.
To remember all the happy times,
Life still has much in store.
Since you will never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you‘ll always stay.
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For those I love, for those who love me,
When I am gone release me, let me go,
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave my love , you can only guess
how much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it’s time, I travel on alone.
So grief a while for me, if grief you must.
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories that lie within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
Ill greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home.”
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