"Independently Taber owned and operated. Serving the communities of Southern Alberta for more than 50 years."

5006 - 48 Avenue
Taber, Alberta  T1G 1R8

Tel: 403.223.8778

Verses & Poems

Verse 041

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.  He referred to the dates on her tombstone... from the beginning to the end.  He noted that first came her date of birth; and spoke the following date with tears.  But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.   For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth.  And now only those who loved her, know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own... the cars... the house... the cash.  What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.  So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change?  For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.  If we could just slow down enough, to consider what’s true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel.  And be less quick to anger;  and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.  If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash may only last a little while.  So when your eulogy’s being read; with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

Verse 042

We watched you suffer,
We watched you sigh,
But all we could do was just stand by.
When the time came, we suffered too,
For you never deserved what you went through.
God took your hand, and we had to part,
He eased your pain, but broke our hearts.
If you could have spoken before you died,
These are the words you’d have replied.
“This life for me is truly past,
I have loved you all to the very last.
Weep not for me but courage take,
And love one another for my sake.
Don’t cry I’m only sleeping,
We’ll meet again someday.”

Verse 043

When I’m Gone
When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, That I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.
Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I’ve had loads of fun.
Forget that I’ve stumbled
And blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I’ve fought some 
Hard battles
And won, ere the close of day,
Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay.
And come in the shade of the evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.
God be with you
Because I can’t always.

Verse 044

The Man In The Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Who judgement upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you a straight shootin’ chum
And call you a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Verse 045

Excerpts From A Farmer’s Creed

I believe a man’s greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.  I Believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on earth.  I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can’t buy.  I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no other way.  I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth and maturity in such a variety of ways. I believe that many of the best things in life are indeed free:  the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring.  I believe that true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience.  I believe that by my toil, I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men.  I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellow man and by this standard I fear no judgement.  I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days,  he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he’s lived.  I believe in farming because it makes all of this possible.

Verse 046

Cowboys Prayer
Heavenly Father
We pause mindful of the many blessings
you have bestowed upon us.
We ask that you be with us today
and we pray that you will guide us in the arena of life.
We don’t ask to avoid an ill-broke horse
or to never know tough winters.
Nor do we ask for all daylight runs,
or to never draw a calf 
that just won’t lay.
Help us Lord to live our lives
in such a manner that when we make
that last inevitable ride to the
country up there where the grass grows
lush green and stirrup high and the water runs cool, clear and deep.
That you as our last judge,
will tell us, that all our dues are paid.
Amen 

Verse 047

“A COWBOYS LAST REQUEST”
Let me tell you folks
Who have gathered here today
That I’m a proud and thankful cowboy
Who has just passed away
I know it’s hard
But, please don’t cry
Fer I’m now ridin’ Gods trails
High up in the sky
The hoss I’m ridin’ now
Don’t spook, buck or kick
Fer God stables perfect horses
And now I have my pick
Lord, please forgive me of all my sins
Fer I haven’t been perfect
But I know that he who believes in You
Forever wins!
I have lived a good life
A  cowboys dream come true
Thank You Lord,
Fer I’m now ready to ride into eternity
Me, my horse, and You.

Verse 048

COWBOY’S PRAYER
Just let me live my life as I’ve begun;
And give me work that’s open to the sky;
Make me a partner of the wind and sun
And I won’t ask a life that’s soft and high.
Make me as big and open as the plains;
As honest as the horse between my knees;
Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains
Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze.
Just keep an eye on all that’s done and said;
Just right me sometimes when I turn aside;
And guide me on the long dim trail ahead
That stretches upward towards the Great Divide.

Verse 049

Life
So let me live
That when I die
A tear will come
To every eye.
In every heart
There’ll be a spot,
An empty place
Where I am not.
So let me live
That when I’m gone
Kind thoughts of me
Will linger on.
And folks will say
With grief inside,
“I sort of wish
She hadn’t died.”
 

(Use He or She where applicable)

Verse 050

Daddy’s Hands
I remember Daddy’s Hands, folded silently in prayer
and reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story in the callouses and lines,
years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy’s Hands how they held my momma tight
and patted my back for something done right.
There are things that I’ve forgotten that I loved about the man, but I’ll always remember the love in Daddy’s Hands.
Daddy’s Hands were soft and kind when I was crying.
Daddy’s Hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong.
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand there was always love in Daddy’s Hands.
I remember Daddy’s Hands working till they bled,
sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I’d live my life again
and never take for granted the love in Daddy’s Hands.