"I'll lend you for a little time
A child of mine." He said
"For you to love the while she lives
And mourn for when she's dead.
It may be six or eleven years, or
twenty-two or three;
But will you, till I call her back,
take care of her for me ?
She'll bring her charm to gladden you,
and should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memory
as solace for your 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 wide world over
in my search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd
life's lanes, I have selected you;
For I know you'll give her all your love
nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
to take her back again.
I fancy that I hear you say
'Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy my 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 should the angels call for her
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.'"
Author: Edgar Guest
Modified: Melissa Martin
SIDS Network......................................................................................sids-network.org
American SIDS Institute......................................................................sidsalliance.org
National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center..........................www.sidscenter.org
SIDS Families............................................................................www.sidsfamilies.com
