To My Friend Cynthia

***This is a poem I found 35 years ago that has never stopped touching my heart. I post it here this day for my close friend Cynthia Heiden, her son Joshua, and others affected by their recent tragedy. Recently in a drunk driving accident Cynthia lost her seven year old granddaughter and another child still is fighting for her life.

I can't even begin to imagine the pain they are feeling right now but I hope this poem can give them comfort, strength, and healing as they remember the blessing their little girl Phoenix was. 

To All Parents

"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 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 her lovely memories 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 the wide world over in My search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes I have selected you.
Now will you give her all your love or think the labor vain
Nor hate Me when I come to call to take her back again?"

I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done,
For all the joy thy child shall bring, the risk of grief's 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'd planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Author unknown.

Sent from my iPhone