Our dear Robyn was always so musical. She loved to express her feelings in song, posting her favourites on her Facebook page. In the days after Robyn flew away to glory, songs have comforted me greatly, as well as messages from so many family and friends. Below are a number of songs that have held me together in these difficult, lonely days. I also want to thank, from my heart, Judy Smith of Old Massett, who sang the Haida Prayer Song in the Haida language (Xaad Kil) for Lionel and I. It was such a comfort to us both.

“My beautiful home, my beautiful home, where the glorified ever shall roam; where angels bright wear robes of white, my home is there, my home is there.” (Lionel’s sister Kathy passed away two days after Robyn’s passing; Marina Jones sang this song at Kathy’s hospital bedside, and expressed to us of how dear Auntie/Naanii Kathy had gone to be with and take care of our little Robyn.)

“Oh Lord, you know, I have no friend like You; if heaven’s not my home, then Lord, what shall I do? The angels beckon me from heaven’s golden shore, and I can’t be at home in this world anymore.” (This has been Robyn’s longing for so, so long. She is finally at peace and rest, safe in the arms of Jesus, and all her loved ones who have gone on before.)

“God sent his Son, they called him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive; He bled and died to buy my pardon; An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives … And because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because he lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives … How sweet to hold our newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy she gives; but sweeter still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because He lives … And then one day I’ll cross the river, I’ll fight life’s final war with pain; And then as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives ….” (We sang this song for each of our children when we dedicated them to Jesus).

Robyn was very close to her grandfather, William Wright. The following was his favourite song; we sang it at his Celebration of Life; and I know that he and Robyn must be singing it together in heaven: “Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away; to a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away. I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away; When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away … Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away; to a land where joys will never end, I’ll fly away.” (Yes, she is there with her dear grandparents and so many other beloved ones who passed on before).

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see … ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed … Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home …The moon shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forebear to shine, But God who called me here below will be forever mine … When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing His praise, than when we first begun.”

“There’s a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar, for the Father waits over the way, to prepare us a dwelling place there …. In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore; In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore … We shall sing on that beautiful shore, the melodious songs of the blessed, And our spirit shall sorrow no more, Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.”

And finally, a song that has meant to much to me through the trials of life: “When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul … And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend; Even so, it is well with my soul.”