Gone too soon...

This is my friend Echo... She left this life on November 2, 2011. We have been friends since Jr. High school and went through many bad times together and a lot of good times together. Our lives were separated after high school for a while and then we reconnected on Facebook a few years back. We talked often and got together a couple times and when her younger sister Amber sent me the news telling me my "sister" had died I was in complete shock. She was just 33 like me... Such a short life. A few days before she passed she started posting spiritual thoughts on her Facebook page, which looking back makes me think that her subconscious knew what was coming.
Her sister asked me to read something at her funeral which is tomorrow, Nov. 12th, and I was very honored to be asked. The family wants me to read one of the posts she put up which I love.

One night I had a dream--
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
Mary Stevenson

I love you Echo and will never forget all we went through.

Touching Shoulders With You

There's a comforting thought at the close of the day
When I'm weary and lonely and sad,
That sort of grips hold of this crusty old heart
And bids it be merry and glad.

It gets in my soul and it drives out the blues
And finally thrills me through and through,
It's just a sweet memory that chants the refrain
I'm glad I touched shoulders with you.

Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong
Did you know there was one leaning hard,
Did you know that I listened and waited and prayed
And was cheered by your simplest word.

Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face
For the sound of your voice ringing true,
Did you know I grew stronger and better because
I had merely touched shoulders with you.

I'm glad I live; that I battle and strive
For the place that I know I must fill,
I'm thankful for sorrows, I'll meet with a grin
What fortune will send, good or ill.

I may not have wealth, I may not be great
But I know I shall always be true,
For I have in my life that courage you gave
When once I touched shoulders with you.

Author Unknown~