Know any poems or quotes for deceased family members?

Question

I'm having a birthday party for my son. And I would like to remember the great grandparents that he has never met. I was thinking of making a poster and posting their names to it. I need something like a special quote, poem, or saying to also add. I want his party to be a joyful time but i would like to remember family members also. Is this a good idea or should i just leave it be? If not, do you have any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have always loved e.e. cummings "i carry your heart". It is applicable to so many situations and I believe it will teach your son more about where we hold the people we love and lose:

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go you go,my dear;
and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear not fate
(for you are my fate,my sweet)
i want no world
(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are
whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder
that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

'Introducing' your son to his deceased great-grandparents while he is enjoying a party and cake with his friends is his time and it will distract him from the importance of what you are trying to convey. I would show him and tell him before or after the party. If there is family coming, having a special place in the house for you poster would be lovely, but making his party about his great-grandparents passing on may not leave him feeling as though he isn't being celebrated on his big day. Doing it on his birthday before the party may be difficult as he will be far too excited to really listen and understand. After the party and after he winds down may be a good time. Any day is a good day to do what you are doing; it need not be his birthday. He's a child and it's his day. When you tell him about his great-grandparents perhaps doing it another time will serve a greater purpose - he will know that these are people to be celebrated and loved every day, not just when his birthday comes around.

"i carry your heart" is a poignant, simple, and lovely way to teach your son that we can never lose the spirits of others, that they are always with us. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

I don't think this is a good idea....remember the descead on a birthday??? I could see if it were one of the great grandparents b-day...or their aniversery, but why bring up ur deas grandparents in the mist of such a happy event? i think ur time of rememberence should be on a different day. Birthdays are supposed to be ALL ABOUT U...its the ONE day in the WHOLE year u get to act like ITS ALL ABOUT U and have a really good reason too....why r u going to make him share his happy day with the memory of these grandparents...their death and their legacy???

Answer 3

Maybe make a scrap book of memories you had, and add a family tree, if you can. Helen Steiner Rice has some excellent poems.

Answer 4

maybe for 21st, not really any age under that. Maybe just put something really simple like "forever in our hearts". I wouldn't really go for a poster either maybe just a nice silver frame placed on a decorators table in the corner.

Answer 5

Here is one I found on-line. Author is unknown.

GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDREN.
Grandparents and grandchildren,
Together they create a chain of love
Linking the past,
With the future.
The chain may lengthen,
But it will never part.

~~Author Unknown.~~

Answer 6

Pictures of them, their house, their car and the city where they lived would be memorable.