When it is my time to go

Please help me remember that,

as I leave, a child will be

born today.

Remind me that as I depart,

two people, somewhere, will be

saying, "Til death do us part."

Let me recall that performances

of La Boheme, Magic Flute

and Meistersinger (my favorites)

will go on as scheduled.

Give me grace to recall that

in some part of the world a

Te Deum is being sung, a Mass

is being said, an Evensong First

Lesson is being read.

Allow me to be happy that on some stage it is opening night.

In my last breath, let me bless

the poems that will be written,

the songs that will be sung, the Priests who will be ordained

on the day of my departure.

And let these thoughts assist me

in my good-byes to all I

have known and loved.

Nunc Dimittis, Domine