This memorial website was created to remember our dearest Ivan Niebla who was born in Miami on May 18, 1982 and passed away in an accident on May 22, 2007 at the age of 25.
MY WISH
I said a prayer straight from the heart, God knew I was sincere. As I prayed for you today, the angels gathered near. I asked God to give you strength to face lifes tide. I told Him an angel was needed by your side. I asked Him to toss your hurt into the deep blue sea, and let its healing waters remove the painful memory. Tears are heavenly raindrops God must send to cleanse the soul. The storm will quickly be replaced with the beauty of His rainbow.
GOD KNOWS BEST
Our Father knows what's best for us, so why should we complain? We always want the sunshine, but He knows there must be rain. We love the sound of laughter and the merriment of cheer, but our hearts would lose their tenderness if we never shed a tear. Our Father tests us often with suffering and with sorrow, He tests us, not to punish us, but to help us meet tomorrow. For growing trees are strengthened when they withstand the storm, and the sharp cut of a chisel gives the marble grace and form. God never hurts us needlessly, and he never wastes our pain for every loss He sends to us is followed by rich gain. And when we cound the blessings that God has so freely sent, we will find no cause for murmuring and no time to lament. For our Father loves His children, and to Him all things are plain, so He never sends us pleasure when the soul's deep need is pain. So whenever we are troubled, and when everything goes wrong, it's just God working in us to make our spirit strong.
TOMORROW 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 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. An angel called my name, took me by the hand, 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 didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad. I thought of all the love we shared, all the fun we had. If I could re-live yesterday, just even for a while, I'd say good-bye, kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiess and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of wordly 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. 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 life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same way there's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven and now at last you're 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 here, in your heart.
INSTRUMENT OF THY PEACE
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
LISTEN TO THE WHISPHERS OF THE MOURNING
Reach up to the Heavens with arms open wide. Take hold of its beauty, breathe it inside. Take in its majesty, memorize its grand views. Engulf its bright lights and magnificant hues. Look above the aged trees that touch the sky, and listen to the whispers of the mourning cry. Listen through the whirring breezes and you can hear the names, sobbin with great heartache, crying out with such pains. Names of all loved ones with silent prayers unsaid, echoing with profoundness inside my head. And now the sun burns in my ears a sweet voice. Saying don't thrist for what once was, this is the Lord's choice. Now I know there's beauty below, but up here there's no compare. There's no pain, no heartache, there's no despair. You can lay your head upon the angel's knee, and know no pain, just filled with such glee. I know you miss me, I miss you too. But I'm sending an angel to watch over you. The angel will let you know I'm always near to ease your heartache and wipe your tears. And the next time you reach up to the Heavens above, you'll feel the kiss of all my love. So please don't let the grief consume your soul. And remember through God, you too can be whole. And when you think you can no longer stand, I'm up here in Heaven with God, waiting to take your hand. So listen beyond the whispers of the mourning and you'll see, I'm with the Lord our God. I'm finally free.
THIS IS NOT GOODBYE
Bravely you let go of my hand, I can't speak yet you understand. Where I go now I go alone. This path I walk is days of stone. And the angels are calling...I must go away, wait for me here silently staying and don't ask me why, only believe this is not goodbye. All of my strength and all my desires still cannot melt this breath of fire. I go to meet some kind of test baring the truth that scars my chest. And the angels are calling and calling...I must go away, wait for me here silently staying and don't ask me why, only believe this is not goodbye. I gathered all my courage and let of all my fears. With this battle on my shoulder, I hold your essence near. And the angels are calling and calling and calling...I must go away, wait for me here silently staying and don't ask me why, only believe this is not goodbye. This is not goodbye.
I DID NOT DIE
Do not stand at my grave and forever weep. I am not there I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and forever cry. I am not there. I did not die.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He make me to lie down in green pastures. He lead me beside the still waters. He restore my soul; He guide me in straight paths for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.