I'll Lend You A Child

[xenaprincess]

A dear friend of mine just recently lost her child to cerebal palsey. He was 7. There is just no explaining the pain of such a loss. I sent this to her, as words were hard to come by, and she emailed me back with a thank you for giving her comfort. If there was anything I could have given her, comfort was what she needed. Pass this on to anyone you think could use some comfort.

I'll Lend You A Child
"I'll lend you a little time, a child of mine", He said
"for you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years, or eleven or twenty-three.
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall 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 want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in 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 labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call, to take him back again?
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done,
For all the joy thy child will bring, the risk of grief will run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, will ever grateful stay.
But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."

[hanley]

Sharon, This is one of the most beautiful poems I've ever read.We should all read this everyday & not take life for granted,cause nobody is promised a tomorrow.Thank you for sharing. Hanley

[hanley]

Sharon, I meant to ask you, who wrote this poem? Hanley