Cornell Memorial Inc.

Mary M. Graziano
May 19, 1951 - June 09, 2008
photo
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name,
and took me by the hand.
The angel said my place was ready,
in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind,
all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye.
For all my life I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible
that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's
gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
and all I've promised you".
Today for life on earth is past,
but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day,
there's no longing for the past.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me,
Remember, I'm right here in your heart

Poem spoken by youngest daughter Marianne at Memorial 6-13-08

They say memories are golden,
Well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried;
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still;
In my heart you hold a place
No one could ever fill.
But now I know you want me
To mourn for you no more,
To remember the happy times,
Life still has much in store.
Since you'll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today;
A hallowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.
If tears could build a stairway
And heartaches make a lane;
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you home again.
Our family chain is broken now,
and nothing seems the same;
But as we're called one by one,
The chain will link again.

Excerpt from Kristen D'Aurio
Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry,
cry with your brother or sister
who walks in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much.
I want to leave you something --
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.