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, til 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 want the child to learn

I've looked the wide world over

In my searches for teachers true

And from the throngs that crowd lifes loves

I have selected you

Now will you give him all your love

Nor think the labor vain

Nor hate me when I came to call

To take him back again?"

I fancied that I heard him say,

"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.

For all the joy thy child shall bring,

The risk of grief we'll run."

We'll shelter him with tenderness

We'll love him while we may

But should the angels call for him

Much sooner than we'd planned

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes

And try to understand

~Anonymous