Wonderful tribute to our loved ones

[kittylover4ever]

I will lend to you for a while, a kitty, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and mourn him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or only 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 always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught below I want this kitty to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come to take my kitty back again?
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord Thy Will be done."
For all the joys this kitty will bring the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.
But should you come to call him back much sooner than we've planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try and understand.
If, by our love, we've managed your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved, to help us whilst we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another kitty and love him all his life.

-author unknown-

 

[bossinova]

Although in hysterical tears as I read this, I want to thank you for sharing something so beautiful and touching with us. It's been a month since I lost my boy and still grieve quite deeply for him

, and this poem brought great comfort and even a piece of understanding to me.
Thank you!

 

[hissy]

This is actually a re-write of a wonderful poem by Edgar Guest. The original poem is entitled Thy Will Be Done, and it was sent to me ironically 28 years ago today from The Children's Hospital in Santa Ana after my newborn son died.

It was the only thing that spoke to my shattered heart and I memorized it and have shared it with many women in my life since then, who also experienced the heartache of losing a child.

I'll lend you for a little while, 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 loving memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, for all on earth returns
But there are lessons taught on earth, I wish 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 lane, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think your labor vain?
Or hate Me when I come to call, and take him home again?

I fancied that I heard you say- "Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joys this child will bring, the risk of grief I'll run.
We'll cover him with tenderness, and love him while we may
And for the brief spot of happiness, forever grateful stay.

But should the angels come for him much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

-Happy Birthday Jeremy Ryan Beecher- I love you and miss you-

You are now my steward for all the animals sent your way-