I'm Still Here Friend, please don't mourn for me I'm still here, though you don't see. I'm right by your side each night and day and within your heart I long to stay. My body is gone but I'm always near. I'm everything you feel, see or hear. My spirit is free, but I'll never depart as long as you keep me alive in your heart. I'll never wander out of your sight- I'm the brightest star on a summer night. I'll never be beyond your reach- I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach. I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around and the pure white snow that blankets the ground. I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond, The clear cool water in a quiet pond. I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring, The first warm raindrop that April will bring. I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine. When you start thinking there's no one to love you, you can talk to me through the Lord above you. I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze. I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep. I'm the smile you see on a baby's face. Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace! This tail, for your info, is not to be stepped on. I don't care what you were doing, you should have been careful. Of course I'm down here - a cat must inspect the drawers at all times - it's my job! Now watch out for this tail! I said goodbye to you today, little cat. Fingers caught on bones when I stroked your fur. You could scarcely raise your head to drink, yet still you calmed me with your purr. Were you comfortable curled on the rug? And did you know your time drew near? Your wide green eyes held gentle love, and quiet pain, but showed no fear. You slipped away so quietly that we weren't sure that you were gone. Our bouncy little cat is stilled but your spirit lingers on. Little ghostcat, where are you? Are you happy, are you strong? I feel your warmth, your life, your love and still can hear your purring song. It was a short journey, Carried in his arms. Out from the kitchen where we found you Deep in your last untroubled sleep Into the sunlit garden where we laid you By the lavender and hollyhocks Beside the cherry tree. And we remember still the waving tail The wide green eyes that lost their glowing fire The assertive voice that dwindled to weary silence And the heart of such high courage And valiant spirit that bore you out into the dark Where now you hunt mice and bats and voles Beneath an ever-waxing moon. 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 awake in the mornings hush, I am the swift upflinging rush... of quiet birds in circling flight, I am the soft star-shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry... I am not there... I did not die... They left us their paw prints we no longer see, their happiness still in our minds. They left us fond memories to you and to me, their friendship will last all of time. They left us their shadows grow dimmer to fade, but never forgotten we'll see. They left us their photos to gaze at each day, to brighten us up when we're down. They left us their feelings their purrs and their meows, that echo around empty rooms. They left us those moments to think of and smile, of footfalls not gentle, like horses. They left us their playing they thought such a lark, with toy mice and baubles a plenty. And the house was all empty without our small friends, but the love that they gave will remain...