Rachel Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
Chris shared:
"WEEP YOU NO MORE, SAD FOUNTAINS"
'Sleep is a reconciling
A rest that peace begets...
Rest you, then, rest sad eyes,
Melt not in weeping,
While she lies sleeping
Softly, now softly lies
sleeping.'
An Elizabethan song
Chris concluded with:
'And that is your frail gift to Rachel - to let her rest and sleep softly - now she does 'softly lie sleeping'. Your search did bring her home.
Your loving friend.
"WEEP YOU NO MORE, SAD FOUNTAINS"
'Sleep is a reconciling
A rest that peace begets...
Rest you, then, rest sad eyes,
Melt not in weeping,
While she lies sleeping
Softly, now softly lies
sleeping.'
An Elizabethan song
Chris concluded with:
'And that is your frail gift to Rachel - to let her rest and sleep softly - now she does 'softly lie sleeping'. Your search did bring her home.
Your loving friend.
Margaret shared:
The one remains, the
many change and pass;
Heaven's light forever shines,
Earth's shadows fly;
Life like a dome of many
coloured glass,
Stains the white radiance
of Eternity
P B Shelly - adonais - an Elegy on the death of Keats
Margaret said:
... I also remember meeting your girls at your Mont Albert home about 18 months ago and recall how they were such a happy trio of sisters.
I also remember the stunning black and white framed photograph of Rachel, and I realised that there was something very special about her...
The one remains, the
many change and pass;
Heaven's light forever shines,
Earth's shadows fly;
Life like a dome of many
coloured glass,
Stains the white radiance
of Eternity
P B Shelly - adonais - an Elegy on the death of Keats
Margaret said:
... I also remember meeting your girls at your Mont Albert home about 18 months ago and recall how they were such a happy trio of sisters.
I also remember the stunning black and white framed photograph of Rachel, and I realised that there was something very special about her...
Rebecca shared:
- The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
- The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
In one of the stars
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
and so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
and so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night
Kate shared:
FRAGMENT FOR THE DARK
Let it not come near me, let it not.
Fold round or over me. One weak hand
Clutches a foot of air, asks the brisk buds
To suffer grey winds, spear through
Fog I feel in me. Give me the magic
To see grounded starlings, their polish
As this threat of all-day night. Mind, mind
In me, make thoughts candles to light me
Out of the furthest reach of possible nights
Lantern me, stars, if I look up through
' wet hands,
Show assurance in blurred shining. I have
Put every light in the house on.
May their fragments last till true morning.
Elizabeth Jennings
Let it not come near me, let it not.
Fold round or over me. One weak hand
Clutches a foot of air, asks the brisk buds
To suffer grey winds, spear through
Fog I feel in me. Give me the magic
To see grounded starlings, their polish
As this threat of all-day night. Mind, mind
In me, make thoughts candles to light me
Out of the furthest reach of possible nights
Lantern me, stars, if I look up through
' wet hands,
Show assurance in blurred shining. I have
Put every light in the house on.
May their fragments last till true morning.
Elizabeth Jennings
Millieme shared:
Author unknown
Author unknown
Cry not for I have gone
But smile for I have been.
Be thankful for the life we shared
the joy that we have seen.
As I leave to meet my maker
Awaits a garden in the sky
Remember me the way I was
then I will never die.
As we gather around to say goodbye
In silence, prayer and song,
Remember peace surrounds us
I am there where I belong.
I thank you for being with me,
I ask you not to cry,
I will forever be there with you,
For I will never die.
But smile for I have been.
Be thankful for the life we shared
the joy that we have seen.
As I leave to meet my maker
Awaits a garden in the sky
Remember me the way I was
then I will never die.
As we gather around to say goodbye
In silence, prayer and song,
Remember peace surrounds us
I am there where I belong.
I thank you for being with me,
I ask you not to cry,
I will forever be there with you,
For I will never die.
The Lord's my Shepherd: I'll not want;
he makes me down to lie
in pastures green: he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
e'en for his own name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through death's dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me, and thy rod
and staff me comfort still
My table thou has furnish-ed
in presence of my foes;
my head with oil thou dost anoint
and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
sahll surely follow me;
and in God's house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be
Mariah Carey (Lyrics)
This is a favourite song of Rachel's (I knew this) but only a short while after her funeral, and when I was looking through her things, feeling as if I was invading her privacy, I came across this in her scrapbook, in her writing, and I thought, was there Rachel, was there a hero inside of you that helped you through your dreadful night of terror? And now, when I read through these lines I think of Rachel's family.
"Hero"
There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
[Chorus:]
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
[Chorus]
Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way
[Chorus]
There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
[Chorus:]
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
[Chorus]
Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way
[Chorus]
Becky Blackman shared:
BROKEN CHAIN
We little knew the day
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
We’re left with loving memories
of the time we had with you,
and feel your love around us
in everything we do.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.
Ron Tranmer©
Here with Ron Tranmer's permission
We little knew the day
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn’t go alone.
For part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
We’re left with loving memories
of the time we had with you,
and feel your love around us
in everything we do.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the chain will link again.
Ron Tranmer©
Here with Ron Tranmer's permission
PSALM 23
Teardrops & Rainbows
When sorrow comes into our lives
and tears of sadness fall,
they never go unnoticed,
God sees them one and all.
Our tears are very precious
In the eyes of our dear Lord,
He calls them up to special clouds
where they are safely stored.
When these clouds are heavy laden
from the weight which they contain,
moisture falls upon the earth
and our tears come down as rain.
Then when the rain has ended,
look to the sky above.
and when you see a rainbow,
God is sending us His love.
He knows we all face sorrow,
and He knows we all feel pain.
That’s why He sends a rainbow
after every tear filled rain. Ron Tranmer©
When sorrow comes into our lives
and tears of sadness fall,
they never go unnoticed,
God sees them one and all.
Our tears are very precious
In the eyes of our dear Lord,
He calls them up to special clouds
where they are safely stored.
When these clouds are heavy laden
from the weight which they contain,
moisture falls upon the earth
and our tears come down as rain.
Then when the rain has ended,
look to the sky above.
and when you see a rainbow,
God is sending us His love.
He knows we all face sorrow,
and He knows we all feel pain.
That’s why He sends a rainbow
after every tear filled rain. Ron Tranmer©
Becky Blackman shares
Tears Could Build A Stairway
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say "Goodbye".
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you -
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.
Since you'll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today~
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.
Author unknown
Tears Could Build A Stairway
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say "Goodbye".
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you -
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.
Since you'll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today~
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.
Author unknown
Memories
This poem reminds me of a dream I had a few months after Rachel's murder. And I might add I have rarely dreamt of Rachel as I once thought I would. I thought I could always retreat at night to another world, of happy families, and three daughters; three sisters. I think perhaps even our subconscious will not let us lie to ourselves and pretend the unimaginable hasn't occurred. Children are not supposed to die before their parents.
One night I dreamt of Rachel in her stripey dress; the one Mike's mother gave to her, and the dress she came to love. She was dancing on the roof tops, and across the chimney tops, like in Mary Poppins. She came to me and hugged me; I can still remember how real it felt. Then she climbed a stairway, turning round and waving her Rachel wave; goodbye.
If tears could build a stairway...
This poem reminds me of a dream I had a few months after Rachel's murder. And I might add I have rarely dreamt of Rachel as I once thought I would. I thought I could always retreat at night to another world, of happy families, and three daughters; three sisters. I think perhaps even our subconscious will not let us lie to ourselves and pretend the unimaginable hasn't occurred. Children are not supposed to die before their parents.
One night I dreamt of Rachel in her stripey dress; the one Mike's mother gave to her, and the dress she came to love. She was dancing on the roof tops, and across the chimney tops, like in Mary Poppins. She came to me and hugged me; I can still remember how real it felt. Then she climbed a stairway, turning round and waving her Rachel wave; goodbye.
If tears could build a stairway...
Our Rachel shared
Copyright Ashleigh-Rose Barber
www.rachelbarberofficialmemorial.com
www.rachelbarberofficialmemorial.com
Rita shared;
This is not a poem but a lovely quote shared on the film facebook page I Am You The Movie - Rachel Barber
Shared by Elyse from the book "Transcending Loss: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Grief and how to Make it Meaningful.. " (Author: Ashley Davis Bush)
"Remember that love is stronger than death. It transcends, uplifts, and lingers in your heart. It changes you, heals you and inspires you. The love you experience both to and from your dear one is still vibrant. It has not ended simply because the form has changed. Hold onto love and its magnificent impact."
Shared by Elyse from the book "Transcending Loss: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Grief and how to Make it Meaningful.. " (Author: Ashley Davis Bush)
"Remember that love is stronger than death. It transcends, uplifts, and lingers in your heart. It changes you, heals you and inspires you. The love you experience both to and from your dear one is still vibrant. It has not ended simply because the form has changed. Hold onto love and its magnificent impact."
He knows we all face sorrow,
and He knows we all feel pain.
That’s why He sends a rainbow
after every tear filled rain. (Tranmer)
and He knows we all feel pain.
That’s why He sends a rainbow
after every tear filled rain. (Tranmer)
And I found this one. I am a Christian, and this Jewish prayer 'Gates of Prayer' is beautiful.
Gates of Prayer
from the Reform Judaism Prayer Book
At the rising sun and at its going down we remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter we remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring we remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer we remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn we remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends we remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us. As we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart we remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make we remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share we remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs we remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live,
For they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
Gates of Prayer
from the Reform Judaism Prayer Book
At the rising sun and at its going down we remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter we remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring we remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer we remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn we remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends we remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us. As we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart we remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make we remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share we remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs we remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live,
For they are now a part of us, as we remember them.
Rita says she believes in these signs.
Let Go, Let God
Becky Blackman shared;
Jodi Refre Lempka shared:
I found this, 21st October, 2013.
She is gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
David Harkins (1959 - )
Note: read at the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 2002.
She is gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
David Harkins (1959 - )
Note: read at the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 2002.
Lindsey shares
Rachel, approx 12, with Granddad Ivan after a ballet performance. (Dad died in 2008)
Not only did people send us cards and letters but also poetry that held special meaning for them or that they thought may be of comfort to us.