In honour of my brother, Derek, who died in the early hours of yesterday morning after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage and the complications of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy. He was 46 years of age.
Happy the Man by John Dryden (1631-1700)
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.
Death be not Proud by John Donne (1572-1631)
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou’art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy’or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
journey & destination 
Dear Carol,I am so very sorry for your loss.I lost my Dad suddenly in June, and I am still grieving so very much. But the Lord has extended grace and given me comfort. May He grant you the same during this difficult time.I am praying for you.~Lisa
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Oh, so very sorry to hear this! Praying God's comfort for you and your family.
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Oh dear, I'm so sorry for your loss! I will be praying for you. I've discovered your blog recently and have been enjoying it very much, as well as your post on Afterthoughts today.Hugs to you!
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I will be praying for you. The poems are a lovely tribute to your brother. May the Lord comfort you as only He can do.
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I'm so sorry for your loss! May the memory of your brother be eternal!
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Carol, Sending love and prayers{{}}
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Still praying for you. I am oh so sorry for your loss.
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Carol, my condolences to you and your family. Taken much too soon. Carole from Carole's Chatter
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Carol, I too am saddened to hear about your brother's death. May you know the peace of our God and Savior as your family grieves.
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