MEDITATIVE THOUGHTS

- Death I -

To All Parents

I'll lend you, for a little time, 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 lovely memories as solace to 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 my search for teacher true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes -- I have selected you.

So 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.

David

By his mother, Patricia Mulford Dresbach

He was sent to this earth to obtain a body
To touch the hearts of people here,
And to fill them with love.
But he was too perfect to remain long In this world of care.

So now he has gone back home to his father in Heaven,
His mission on this earth complete.
A recipient of the celestial glory,
Reserved for those like him,
The most valiant of Heavenly Father's children.

Those of us left on earth who love him,
Are saddened by the time of separation.
Knowing that if we can be just half
As good as he An Eternity, Together, stretches before us.

They Didn't Know What to Say

Dear Ann Landers: A dear friend sent me this poem. It was written by Alice Kerr of Lower Bucks, PA. She is a member of the Compassionate Friends, an organization for parents who have lost a child. I thought our readers might benefit from its words. Faithful Reader

Now I Know

I never knew, when you lost your child,
What you were going through.
I wasn't there, I stayed away,
I just deserted you.

I didn't know the words to say,
I didn't know the things to do.
I think your pain so frightened me,
I didn't know how to comfort you.

And then one day my child died.
You were the first one there.
You quietly stayed by my side, listened,
And held me as I cried.

You didn't leave, you didn't go.
The lesson learned is . . . Now I know.

Goodbye

by Gwydion Pendderwen

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

Togetherness

Death is nothing at all I have only slipped away to the next room. Whatever we were to each other we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the same easy way you always have. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Life means all that it ever meant It is absolute, unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you for an interval, someone very near, just around the corner. All is well, nothing is past. Nothing has been lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before...only better. Infinitely happier. We will be one, together forever.

4/21/98