My Nanna's Bible and hymn book arrived in the mail for me today.

Leafing through the Bible, I found the rose petals that we'd pressed, bookmarks, little notes she'd written like a diary and a note at the end of the Bible, tucked into the back cover that said: "Saying farewell to people: say God be with you till we meet again." When I picked up the hymn book, it fell open to the two pages where the hymns Softly Now the Light of Day, Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing and Abide With Me are on.

*sigh*

Abide With Me
Henry F Lyte (1793-1847)

Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens: Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away:
Change and decay in all around I see;
O thou, who changest not, abide with me!

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the Tempter’s power?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!
 
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless:
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting, where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

...In life and death, O Lord, abide with me...