By: Brendan Graham of  Ireland

Music by: Rolf Lovland from Norway

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

©Josh Groban, Artist

Dear Nora, there has never been a time in my life

 that you have not given all of yourself to "caring"

for all who have needed you. You are always there.

 As we walk through this part of our  life together,

I want you to know that it is you who always

 "Raised Me Up" and throughout our life

and our childhood, it has always been a given

 that you will be there for me, through

rain, storms and sadness in our life.

This page I dedicate to you for the strength

you gave to me all through Maddie's journey. I know

that you have suffered through your own pain of

having to deal with the every day torments of chemo

and radiation. You have been a sterling example of

those very special caring hearts that always put

others before themselves. You have always done

that in your life. It is the very "gold" that is the glow

of your heart that so unselfishly gives to others.

We were destined to be friends all those years ago.

It was a gift that God gave us to sustain us through

all the bad times. But the memories of the good times

and the laughter stands so prominently in my mind

and heart. Yes we were blessed with a special

gift in life ~ each other ~ and the hours.

I am in awe of your "giving  heart and soul" so,

when I think of you I always say ~ no other, no other

could have been more intrinsically  important in

my life as a "friend". You are indeed my "friend"

loyal, brave, honest, caring, loving and most of

all "always there" ~ I thank you for that my friend

and I wanted to let everyone know that you have

always, always "Raised Me Up" ~ Thank you my friend.

So on this day I offer you words written for a hero,

the perfect song that simply put " I am strong while

I am on your shoulders" ~ "You raised me up to

more than I could be." Thanks "Professor"

Always, Fran

August 27, 2004