TO ALL PARENTS

" 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 thirteen years or twenty-two or three,

But will you, 'til I call him back, take care of him for me?

He will 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 here I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over in search of teachers true,

And from the throngs that crown life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give 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 shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll have him while we may,

And for all the happiness we've know, forever grateful stay.

But should the Angels call for him much sooner than we'd planned,

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."