poem

[Gwen]

i came across this poem, have no idea who wrote it.

"I'll lend to you for a little time,

A child of mine," God said,

"For you to love while she lives

And mourn for when she's dead."

"It may be six or seven years

Or twenty-two or three,

But will you till I call her back,

Take care of her for me?"

"She'll bring her charms to gladden you

And should her stay be brief,

You'll have these precious memories

To comfort you through grief."

"I cannot promise she will stay

Since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught down there

I want this child to learn."

"I've looked this world over,

In my search for teachers true.

In the crowds of this great land,

I have selected you."

"Now will you give her all your love

Not think the labor vain,

Nor hate me when I come to call

To take her back again?"

[MorningStar]

Wow, that's a hard poem to read. I hate to think of anything happening to my kids. My grandma lost three children. She had 8 total and for me that would be losing all of my kids.

[Gwen]

i can't imagine loosing any of my kids either. i found the poem on a site where parents of children with epilepsy were posting. i'm sure it was written by (or for) someone that lost a child. the reality is even without a life changing/threatening illness any of us, young or old, could return home at any time.

[SMG]

A very beautiful poem. My grandmother also lost 3 children before they were 2 years of age. My mother also lost one of my brothers. Perhaps I should show this to her.

[MorningStar]

My dad's brother drowned at their ward pioneer picnic when he was 9, while my dad was on his mission in Argentina. Then his 23-year-old brother died while driving down Squaw Peak Rd. in Provo. He was driving around a corner too fast and his convertible flipped over. There was no rollbar. Then my aunt passed away at age 36 leaving behind three children ages 8, 6, and 4 after a non-cancerous tumor on her spine became cancerous. They had tried to remove it, but it was too large and she ended up paralyzed during the surgery. She was in a wheelchair when she had her 2nd and 3rd kids, her husband was not a good guy, and she got a paper route to support them. She had handbrakes on her van and her oldest son would run the papers to the doors at 5am. She inspires me.

[Doctor Steuss]

Hi Gwen,

The poem is by Edgar A. Guest titled "To All Parents." There's actually a bit more to it too:

I fancied that I heard them say: "Dear Lord, Thy will be done!"

"For the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

"We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we may,

"And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay;

"But shall the angels call for her much sooner than we've planned,

"We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."

Other poems by him can be found here: Sofine's Collection Of Edgar Guest's Poetry

[Alaskagain]

Thanks Dr S, and Gwen!

[Gwen]

ty dr s