The Loan

When Christy was in middle school I served on the PTO board. During that time one of the students at her school passed away. I didn’t know the family personally but one of my fellow board members did. She shared a poem with us at our first meeting following the child’s death. For some reason I kept the copy that was given to me. When Christy died I thought about that poem. All these years later I still knew exactly where I had put it. At the time I wasn’t sure why I was keeping it, but now I guess I know.

GOD'S LENT CHILD
by Edgar A. Guest

I'll lend you a for a little time
a child of mine, God 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 shall 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 lane
I have selected you.

Now 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?

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done,
For all the joy thy child 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 shall the angels call for him
much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand."

Forever grateful that I was the one selected,
Julie