Below is the poem “An Autumn Psalm” by Clyde DeWitt, who I knew through St. Peter’s. The poem, published in his funeral bulletin, inspired the song “Make Our Sound” on Ventura.
Omnipotent and omniscient God
who alone can truly comprehend time and space without end;
We who are in the autumn of our lives on this tiny planet
give thanks for the gift of what to us
has seemed a long and fulfilling life.
We give thanks for the chance to see the beauty of nature –
the earth, the water, the skies, the trees, the flowers –
and to observe nature’s creatures.
We thank thee for the gift of love
reflected in the love for us from those here
and from those parents, kin, and friends who have gone before us,
and the love we have for mates, for children, for their children, and for friends.
Oh Lord, let them feel this love as the autumn of our lives
becomes the winter,
and even when our bodies turn to dust.
Lord, grant us the wisdom to live our autumn years with grace,
being forever grateful for the joys of life
we have already been granted.
May we share with others the bounties we have been given
and our fleeting insights into your wonderful wisdom.
Give us the courage to face the aches and infirmities of these autumn years.
And let them never keep us from beaming with our thanks
for the great joys you have bestowed upon us;
and when our mortal time draws to a close
let us depart with grace,
knowing it is simply a part of your holy plan,
and that the spirit of life and love will continue without end.
Amen.