“When Tomorrow Starts Without Me”

This morning I spotted this poem on the wall at my Amish friends’ home here in Lancaster County. I asked if I could share it with you. I thought it might be nice food for thought on a Sunday.

It’s called “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me.” She hand-copied it from another source. I took a couple of photos, forgive the dark tone as it was morning and the kitchen was not well-lit. But I’ve also transcribed the text below. A quick Google search gives the author’s name as David M. Romano:

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not here to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
Are 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 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 when I walked through Heaven’s gate
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 promised you
Today your life on earth is past
But here it starts anew

I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And since each day’s the same way
There’s no longing for the past

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

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30 Comments

  1. KimH

    Thats sweet and I can see why anyone would want to copy it..
    Thanks for sharing it!

  2. Dana

    “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me”

    Beautiful!

  3. kim hansen
  4. Steve Bridges

    Thanks

    Thanks for sharing such a sweet thought. Another reminder for us to live more in the day, than worry about our past missteps or future dreams.

  5. sgstaley

    Wonderful & Thought Provoking

    That is such a touching poem for a Christian. Thank you for the share.

  6. Joree ONeal

    "When Tomorrow Starts Without Me"

    I would like to share this poem to my friends on Facebook, but will wait for permission before I do.

    1. From my side you are welcome to share my post, and you might mention the poem author Romano who I credited above. It’s a poem worth sharing.

  7. Terry Berger

    Thank you

    Erik,
    Thank you so much for sharing this!! It’s beautiful and timely.

    Terry

    1. Glad you liked it Terry. I happened to see the poem again today in another friend’s home. Timely is right.

  8. fatemeh
  9. Kevin Lindsey

    Beautiful and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing!

  10. James Dale

    Poem speaks to my heart

    Hi, first time on your page… poem speaks volumes… my sister has Glioblastoma Cancer… may I ask for pray for her and all our family… thanks for posting… God Bless

    1. James, I’m glad if the poem brought some comfort. Can’t imagine how tough that must be. Will offer prayer for your sister and family.

  11. Jacqueline Dederick

    I lost my mom this year

    I read this poem in my mom’s voice. Thank you so much for sharing.

    1. I’m sorry for your loss, Jacqueline. I am glad if the poem was helpful. I saw it again the next day in an Amish home where the family is also dealing with the pain of a recent loss.

  12. Darlene Myers

    So helpful

    I lost my mother, aunt and uncle within 13 months and have been struggling. I know they are with my fqther9 but this poem helped more than you’ll ever realized. It says it all.

    1. Darlene, I’m sorry for your losses. I’m glad if this poem brought some perspective. Be well and God bless.

  13. Rayanne

    When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

    I truly appreciate that you shared this poem with us. It means a great deal to me. Thank you Erik.

  14. MJ

    **Will's Heart**

    I happened upon this poem 4 years ago when a dear friend passed suddenly. I shared it for her family and friends offering them comfort. I never knew the author…so I thank you for that bit of information.

    As other loved ones have gained their Angel wings, I have shared it time and again. Sadly I’ll be sharing these words next week at my Uncle’s service. He passed suddenly on Sunday and we are all still numb with disbelief. He was everything good you could possibly imagine. The words in this poem resonate in your soul. And though we here on Earth will miss his physical presence dearly, we are comforted in knowing, he’s always with us.

  15. Judi Behrens-LaRue

    Love This Heart Pulling Poem

    Reading the poem on Face Book tonight, I decided to research the poem’s founder and author. I would also like to use the poem at my slightly older brother’s memorial service. I wanted to be sure I gave credit to the right author and gain permission to use it at the service. I would also like to create a keepsake for my siblings and family members to remember him by.

    Thank you.

    Judith Behrens-LaRue

    1. Patricia Geisenheimer

      No too sure of the original author

      Hi, I saw this poem tonight posted by a friend who recently lost her mother. I wanted to save a copy of it so I could share it when a close friend or family member passes on in the future, so I went online to see if I could find a background along with the poem. I found that it had 2 authors listed. One is the same as listed here, David M. Romano. The other, which I found her poem has extra verses in it, is Erica Shea Liupaeter. Then another says Author Unknown. So I’m not really sure who the credit goes to actually. In either case, it is a beautiful poem. I think I will go with the Author Unknown so I don’t give credit to the wrong person.

      1. Robert M

        if i’m not mistaken, the second, longer version is actually for those who have recently lost their dogs. (i am not kidding.) she used Romano’s original work and built onto it.

        Romano is the original author and the original poem was published in 1993.

  16. Robert M

    is the title "if" or "when"?

    i have seen it both ways and no one ever seems to object to either “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me” or “When Tomorrow Starts Without Me”. i am curious if anyone has some original published material with this poem in it. also, i cannot find any other poems by David Romano. has anyone read any of his other works? (i realize that the hand written poem was most probably copied from a book as the Amish do not use the internet, but since i first saw the poem entitled “If Tomorrow Starts Without Me” it is somewhat difficult to let go without something a bit more factual.)

  17. Dali Castillo

    Beautiful

    I caught this on your recent repost. What a beautiful poem, especially for one who has experienced the passing of a special family member or someone close. Having experienced both, I find it’s message to be that much more special. Thanks for sharing!