Empty plates and empty chairs,
An aching awareness of those not here. 
Mistletoe and holly and evergreen branches,
Brightly blinking bulbs and holiday dances.
Tightly wrapped presents stacked under the tree,
Stockings stuffed to overflowing for you and for me.

Voices now silenced that once laughed or roared,
shadows that no longer darken the floor.
Dishes steaming with flavor, and fresh hot rolls,
Favorite recipes served in Grandma’s best bowls.
Desserts set aside to be served later
‘Cause everyone’s stuffed with fine meat and taters.

Some tears fall silent and others break through in sobs,
Each loved one departed makes us feel we’ve been robbed.
But in the laughter of children and the voice of old friends,
we remember the wealth of what God still sends.
Each joke and each story, each hug and each kiss,
Brings balance and healing for all that we miss.

It is the same story, both ancient and new,
that joy is still offered no matter what we’ve been through.
Cemeteries and sanctuaries, funeral homes and kitchens,
each holds hallowed space in the lives we’ve been given.
Neither question the blessings nor resent the sorrows;
they are all a precious part of both Past and Tomorrow.

Resent not the trials nor take for granted the blessings,
Give genuine thanksgiving and humble confessing.
Weep with those who weep, and share others’ rejoicing,
To both fear and faith, give honest voicing.
In both pain and pleasure, give life its fair measure,
yet hold fast to hope for its infinite treasure.

For every good memory, every taste of love shared,
for every quiet moment, every adventure that was dared,
for each disappointment and each deep satisfaction,
for each small gain and each bold action:
give true thanks for these and yield not to regret.
For not a single sparrow falls to the ground apart from His will,
He has always sustained us and loves us still.

And in that Promised Day when he gathers us Home,
when every knee shall bow and each heart will be known,
All sorrow will end and all pain will cease,
each soul from fleshly prison given release,
When all who love Him sit at that great Feast up there—
there’ll be no empty plates and no empty chairs.