A Child Loaned
"I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine," He said.
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three
But will you, till I call him back
Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I will loan you for a time a child of mine
I want the child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over
In my search for teachers’ true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labour vain
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take him back again?
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
For the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."
Anonymous
Having suffered a very similar loss, I know exactly what you are going through. All I can say is "be strong".
Nick
London, UK
DEAR BETTY, THINKING OF YOU ON THIS VERY SAD DAY. THE HARDEST DAY, FOR ME IS THE DAY OUR LOVED ONES LEAVE US. NEVER TO SEE OR TALK TO THEM AGAIN. I ALWAYS WANT JUST ONE MORE CHANCE TO BE WITH THEM. PART OF YOU IS GONE , AND YOU MUST CONTINUE ON WITHOUT STEVE. FILL YOUR EMPTY HEART WITH ALL OF THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOU HAD TOGETHER. TAKE CARE. LOVE ALWAYS , CATHY.
The Birthday
How could a date that once meant joy,
Now bring on so much pain?
How could memories of candles blown,
Seem like wishes made in vain?
How could you go before me,
And this sadness thus beget?
Mixed feelings rage inside my soul,
But my love, there's no regret.
For on this date, so long ago,
I first beheld your face,
Caressed your new-born, velvet skin,
Felt sure I'd felt God's grace.
And today as I remember,
I know this much is true:
Time can't heal a broken heart,
For mine still longs for you.
And though I know there is a plan,
And there is a time to die,
I still can make no sense of it,
No answer as to why.
I think of you with tear stained cheeks
And lips that start to quiver.
Happy birthday my sweet gift from God.
I trust you're with the Giver.
Dear Stephen I knew you mostly from your mother's description of your soul and spirit. You were born to a mother who loved you unconditionally and that is a gift from heaven.
She was so terrified and excited when you were ready to roll out your race car. She marveled at your determination to put one foot in front of the other to achieve your goals. Your mom supported all your dreams.
You left this earth way too early but you lived your life on your terms and wait in heaven for all who love you too join you.