Maybe you can play off this poem somehow for your bride & groom...especially 2nd stanza of "to have and hold." and poems for the rice bags: This little pillow filled with rice Is such a comforting device. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes on HIGH And kiss those aches and pains good-bye. Apply it to a troubled spot. The heat will ease the pain a lot. Or warm those little toes so cold. You'll find this nice to have and hold. Or freeze it for a little while And fix that boo-boo up in style. Instead of a compress made of ice, Use this little pillow filled with rice. Top to toes, front to back. There are many uses for this little pack. Tired and weary, feel like heck? Heat and hang it 'round your neck! Headache coming? The kind you dread! Take it from the freezer and cool your head! Who can sleep with ice cold feet? This little friend can warm your sheets! Aching back, sprains and strains? Use this pillow to ease your pains!

Here are a few that I gathered following my mother's passing: Afterglow Author Unknown I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo, whispering down the way, of happy times, and laughing times, of bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, with happy memories that I leave, when life is done. ----------------------------------- Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow but remember me in every tomorrow Remember the joy, the laughter, and the smiles I've only gone to rest for a little while Although my leaving causes pain and grief my going has eased my hurt and given me relief So dry your eyes and remember me not as I am now, but as I used to be Because, I will remember you all and look on with a smile Understand, in your hearts I've only gone to rest a little while As long as I have the love of each of you I can live my life in the hearts of all of you ------------------------------ 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 set free? Miss me a 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. For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss Me--But Let me Go! ---------------------------- Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed, so very dear.

Unity Candle ceremony: Personalized pillar candle and individual personalized tapers and gave each child a personalized taper. The ceremony was actually a Family Unity Ceremony. All children write a congratulation and thank you note to the bride and groom. Once the Unity Candle was lit, take turns lighting their tapers from the pillar and in unison, recited the following: "As I light my candle from the Unity Candle, I feel the warmth, love and excitement of my new, larger family. Thank you(BRIDE'S NAME or MOM or MOTHER) and (GROOM'S NAME or DAD or FATHER) for having given me an extended family to love and be loved by. Congratulations! I love you! Groom: "(childrens names), I want you to know that I dearly love your mother. We have become very good friends over the weeks and months and we have learned to love each other. As you have so graciously shared this wonderful woman with me, so will I share the love I feel for her with you. Together, we will learn much more about each other. I promise also to be fair and to be honest, to be available for you as I am for your mom, and in due time, to earn your love, respect and true friendship. I will not attempt to replace anyone, but to make a place in your hearts that is for me alone. I will be father and friend, and I will cherish my life with all of you. On this day when I marry your mom, I marry you, and I promise to love and support you as my own." Bride: "(childrenÂs names), I want you to know that I dearly love your father. We have become very good friends over the weeks and months and we have learned to love each other. As you have so graciously shared this wonderful man with me, so will I share the love I feel for him with both of you. Together, we will learn much more about each other. I promise also to be fair and to be honest, to be available for you as I am for your dad, and in due time, to earn your love, respect and true friendship. I will not attempt to replace anyone, but to make a place in your hearts that is for me alone. I will be mother and friend, and I will cherish my life with both of you. On this day when I marry your dad, I marry you, and I promise to love and support you as my own." The bride and groomÂs children then responded to the following vows when read by the pastor: (ChildrenÂs names), do you promise to love your mother and her new husband? Children respond: "I do." Do you promise to support their marriage and your new family? Children respond: "I do." Do you promise to accept the responsibility of being their children, and to encourage them, support them, and accept them just as our heavenly Father accepts us? Children respond: "I do." (Children names), do you promise to love your father and his new wife? Children respond: "I do." Do you promise to support their marriage and your new family? Children respond: "I do." Do you promise to accept the responsibility of being their children, and to encourage them, support them, and accept them just as our heavenly Father accepts us? Children respond: "I do." Today is the wedding Of more than just two. We're blending our families With love that is true. Today marks the birth Of a new family: One that is special For all here to see Today's a Day of Love Not Just for Us by Nicholas Gordon. Today's a day of love not just for us, But for all of those who brought us here. So please excuse us if we make a fuss Over you, the ones we hold most dear. In you we see the love we replicate By joining on this day our separate lives. Our choice was neither accident nor fate, But homage to good husbands and sweet wives. We hope to make a family just like yours, And be to our children parents much like you. You have been to us wide-open doors Onto a serene and peaceful view. We look to you with gratitude and pride. What joy this day to have you at our side!

Hello West Gardener, am I glad to see you. I mentioned earlier that I also had a need to list, but that got overrun by "what's next?" Loud barking outside in the backyard. Strange big dog, almost as big as a Great Dane, in the yard. I tell him to scoot, he barks at me. Cat screaming on the dogwood tree, unknown cat. Try to chase dog, a loud meouw from the large oak - my cat. Finally chase dog - now how do I get my old cat out of that big tree? The other cat disappears. While still debating what to do, firetruck sirens coming down our sub-division main street, then our little dead-end road. Go to the front, they stop at my neighbors with their rescue truck, shortly after EMS, much later they all left after the coroner showed up. Neighbor moved in his house 2 weeks before we did. My cutting the rest of the front hedge has to wait. Oh, my cat finally made it down after 1 hour.