Just Passing

Just Passing,
Like the lightning’s flash across the summer sky;

Just Passing,
Like the thunder’s roll that shakes the trees nearby;

Just Passing,
Like the torrent that sweeps fallen leaves away;

Just Passing,
But how much my wounded heart wishes he could stay.  

Just Passing,
Like the sparkle of the sun on morning dew;

Just Passing,
Like the fragrance of a rose so fresh and new;

Just Passing,
Like the spring song of a migratory bird;

Just Passing,
But how much I miss the music that I heard.

Just Passing,
Lord, help me to be content with just the while

That I could know the laughter in the sunshine of his smile.

Just Passing,
Such a brief time, Lord, that I could hold him near,

But in that time he came to be so precious and so dear.

And now, Lord, in my heart I know that he is home with You,
But, Lord, it hurts to understand…he was Just Passing through.

By Eugene F. Smith, Jr.

May 24, 1996

Written for his mother in memory of my Grandson,

James Patrick Griffin

Who entered his eternal rest on May 18, 1997 at age 25.