Whenever my life is impacted by the loss of a friend...
...I think of this poem my Grandma read to me years ago:
I'll Lend You A Child
by Edgar Guest
[SIZE=+1]"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine," He said.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]For you to love - while he lives[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]And mourn for when he's dead.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]It may be six or seven years[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Or twenty-two or three,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]But will you, till I call him back,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Take care or him for Me?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]He'll bring his smiles to gladden you,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]And should this stay be brief[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]I cannot promise he will stay,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Since all from earth return,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]But there are lessons taught down there[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]I want this child to learn.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]I've looked this world over[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]In search for teachers true,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]And from the throngs that crowd[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Life's lanes, I have selected you.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Now will you give him all your love,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Nor count the labor vain,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Nor hate Me when I come to call to[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Take him back again?"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]I fancied that I heard then say,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]For all the joy Thy child shall bring,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]The risk of grief we'll run.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]We'll shelter him with tenderness,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]We'll love him while we may,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]And for the happiness we've known[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Forever grateful stay.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]But should the angels call for him[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Much sooner than we've planned,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]We'll brave the bitter grief that come[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]And try to understand."[/SIZE]