“To Those I Love”

by Linda Stewart, 4 September 2019

Isla Paschall Richardson (1885-1971) was the daughter of John Monroe Paschall (Samuel, Silas, John, William) and Daretula Dewitt Sanders.  John was a Professor at the University in Nashville and Daretula was a music teacher.   Isla became a noted author and poet.  When Frank Sinatra died, the movie star, Gregory Peck, recited Isla’s poem “To Those I Love” at his funeral.  Peck said he chose the poem as a tribute to Frank’s widow, Barbara, who made his old friend happy for almost 25 years.

“To Those I Love” by Isla Paschall Richardson

If I should ever leave you whom I love

To go along the silent way,

Grieve not,

Nor speak of me with tears,

But laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there.

 

(I’d come – I’d come, could I but find a way!

But would not tears and grief be barriers?)

And when you hear a song

Or see a bird I loved,

Please do not let the thought of me be sad

For I am loving you just as I always have

You were so good to me!

 

There are so many things I wanted still to do

So many things to say to you

Remember that I did not fear

It was just leaving you that was so hard to face

We cannot see beyond

But this I know;

I love you so

‘twas heaven here with you!

 

2 thoughts on ““To Those I Love””

    1. I always enjoy when you send me stories. This one was one of my favorites also. Looking forward to the new “Jana News”. See ya – Linda

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