here is a poem my dad sent to a friend when her father died:

The Last Request

Please don’t say that I gave up, just say I gave in,

Don’t say I lost the battle,

For it was God’s war to lose or win.

Please don’t say how good I was, but that I did my best.

Just say I tried what’s right,

To give the most I could, not to do less.

Please don’t give me wings or halos,

that’s for God to do.

I want no more than I deserve, no extras, just my due.

Please don’t give me flowers or talk in hushed tones.

Don’t be concerned about me now,

I’m well with God, I’ve made it home.

Don’t talk about what could have been,

it’s over and it’s done.

Just see to all my family’s needs,

Especially the little ones.

When you draw a picture of me,

Don’t draw me as a saint. I’ve done some good,

I’ve done some wrong, so use all your paint.

Not just the bright and light tones.

Use some gray and dark, in fact

Don’t put me down on canvas,

Paint me in your heart.

Don’t just remember good times,

but remember all the bad.

For life is full of many things, some happy and

some sad, but if you must do something

then I have one last request.

Forgive me the wrong I’ve done

and with the love that’s left,

Thank God for my soul’s resting,

Thank God for I’ve been blessed.

Thank God for all who loved me.

Praise God who loved me best.

…Author Unknown