WHEN I MUST LEAVE YOU When I must leave you for a little while Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years. But start out bravely with a gallant smile; And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all things the same, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you And hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky! unknown author

An angel came down from Heaven and whispered in my ear She said, "I have a precious gift for you, that you will hold so dear." I smiled and asked impatiently, "What could it possibly be?" A tiny peace of Heaven she handed unto me. "Now, I give this gift from God to you, To love and cherish through and through." Tears of happiness were joyous gleams in my eye Then I heard that angel whisper, "But...she may die." Stunned and saddened, I knew not what to do "God has chosen her because He has seen stregnth in you." As I cradle this gift with every inch of my soul The reasons I should hold tight, I suddenly know. God must have known the mother I am inside So He chose me for this challenge with wisdom and great pride. I am brave, wise, and caring, and I am so very strong He handed me a blessed child, knowing I'd do no wrong. And while my heart aches at the pain I must endure, It is the love that I have for this child that is my everlasting cure. So, thank you, Angel, for your gift of supreme love I'll remember him always, playing in the heavens above. And I am so very thankful for the peace and sense of overwhelming calm Knowing that one day, we'll meet again, and she will call me Mom. Jennifer Basta October 10. 2000

Baby's Farewell She was sobbing on the pillow, as the night about her crept, "It's not fair that God should take you," was the whisper that she wept. Futile now, the preparations, baby showers, hopeful dreams... Wasted, all the pains of labor, muffled moans and stifled screams. Senseless seemed the fervent pushing, ending with a mournful cry Forty weeks eof expectation for the baby that would die. In the midst of grieving passion, as she languised on the bed, Tears had trickled down to dampen where the pillow met her head. Bearing him had left her weary, now remorse had made her worn, Worn and weak with restless hours, since her little boy was born. So she tried to close her eyelids on the shadows in the room, Finding needed sleep to drown the empty cramping in her womb. And she dreamed that he had lingered, staying with her, at her breast, Not to nurse, but just to nestle, to be cuddled and caressed. Such a joyful little spirit, swaddled in an angel's cloud... It amazed her when he stared and spoke these gentle words aloud: "Darling Mother, you are precious!  You have carried me so well! You can't see the way you've blessed me, but eternity will tell." As he snuggled in her bosom, she could feel his body grow, First a toddler, then a child, with his angel face aglow. "Mother," said his shining spirit, "you bestowed a gracious gift. I received the greatest send-off...it was like a special lift. Holding me with hope and longing, you encircled me with love. See how fast your welcome nurture helps my growing up above?" Then he soared past adolescence on into a manly state, Standing by the bed she lay in, saying "I can hardly wait! Heaven is so vast and lovely, every part is rich and true. When at last you get to come here, I will show it all to you! You must also meet the Master who prepared it from the start, He has known the loss you're feeling, and He waits to heal your heart." When she tried to cling to him, as he began to fade away, She was only clutching blankets at the dawning of the day. She arose to face the morning, prayed a prayer and read a psalm, And reflecting on the vision, sensed God's peace and felt His calm. Though her arms were just as empty as they were the night before, Hope was mingled with her sorrow, and she feared her grief no more. ~Author~ David L. Hatton July 1, 1993