To All Parents

by Kelly Callaway

This is the second time I have written, which helps me grieve for the lost of our son, Garrett Keith Callaway. Someone gave me this poem who also lost a child. It has helped me get through some days. I hope it helps.

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, to
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 thongs that crowd life's
Lanes
I have selected 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 hear them say: "dear
Lord,
Thy will be done
For all the joy thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief will 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'd planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And
Try to understand."

Author unknown

The poem is so true. Each child I have seen and read about on this web site are true angels on earth and now in heaven. Each of us as parents have a special guardian angel looking after us. It does not relieve the pain, no one can ever do that. Each night I grieve for my son and all the babies lost to this silent killer. My hope is that one day a cure will be found.

If anyone would like to write to me, my E-Mail address is at work: KCALLAWA@MAIL.MCG.EDU. I find comfort in talking about Garrett and the grief and of course the hope for the future.

Kelly Callaway