Death

To All Parents

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 to your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over in my search for teacher true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes -- I have selected you.

So will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again.

David

He was sent to this earth to obtain a body
To touch the hearts of people here,
And to fill them with love.
But he was too perfect to remain long In this world of care.

So now he has gone back home to his father in Heaven,
His mission on this earth complete.
A recipient of the celestial glory,
Reserved for those like him,
The most valiant of Heavenly Father's children.

Those of us left on earth who love him,
Are saddened by the time of separation.
Knowing that if we can be just half
As good as he An Eternity, Together, stretches before us.

Now I Know

I never knew, when you lost your child,
What you were going through.
I wasn't there, I stayed away,
I just deserted you.

I didn't know the words to say,
I didn't know the things to do.
I think your pain so frightened me,
I didn't know how to comfort you.

And then one day my child died.
You were the first one there.
You quietly stayed by my side, listened,
And held me as I cried.

You didn't leave, you didn't go.
The lesson learned is . . . Now I know.