When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

"When Tomorrow Starts Without Me."

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you.
And each time that you think of me
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand
And said my place was ready in heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye
For all my life I'd always thought I didn't want to die.

I had so much left yet to do.
It seemed impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good and the bad.
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow
I thought of you and when I did my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne.
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow but today will always last
And since each day's the same, there's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, so trusting, and true.
Though there was a time you did some things you knew you shouldn't do;
But you have been forgiven and now you are free.
So won't you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.