When tomorrow starts without me...

This poem can be applied to humans and animals both, but it reminds me of the animals I have lost and what they might have told me were I able to read their thoughts. It was sent to me by my mother, who I'm sure also felt the same way, with a singularly particular animal in mind :-)

If tomorrow starts without me
And I am 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

And 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 left yet to do
It seemed almost impossible
That I was leaving you

I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad
The 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 your life on earth is past
But here life starts anew

I promise no tomorrow
But today will always last
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did Some things
you knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven
And now at last you’re free
So wont you come and take my hand
And share my life with me

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don’t think we’re far apart
For every time you think of me
I am right here in your heart

---Contributed by Shakuntala Majumdar