When I was young and pregnant with my first child, I saw this poem on a desk in an office. I remember thinking at the time that it was a very comforting poem so I wrote it down.
Four or five years ago, my daughter's boyfriend was killed in a car accident. He was a teenager and an only child. We did not know what to do but I printed out this poem and sent it to his mother in a card. She loved it and gave it to the pastor to read at his service.
After the service, she called my daughter distraught because the pastor didn't give her back the poem (he probably wanted to be able to use it again). So my daughter and I made her a new copy with a photo of her son as background and framed it. Years later, family members of her still thank me when I run into them.
Here is the poem if you want to share it with your friend:
To all Parents
Edgar Guest
"I'll lend you for a 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 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 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 chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him 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 we 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 the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand!"
