A Child Of Mine
I'll lend for you a little while
A child of mine
For you to love while she lives
And mourn when she is dead
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three
But will you 'til I call her back
Take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you
And shall her stay be brief
You'll have her lovely memories
As solace for your grief
I cannot promise she will stay
As all from earth return
But there are lessons taught down there
That 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 her all your love?
Not think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I call her back again?

I fancied that I heard them say
Dear Lord, Thy will be done
For all the joy this child shall bring
And risk of the grief we'll run
We'll shower her with tenderness
And love her while we may
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay
And should the angels call her
Much sooner than we planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.


~ unknown ~