To All Parents

Greetings Sgt. Grit.

After reading this weeks posting, the article by Bob Connely, I thought I would send this along to help those it can.

A little history of the verse.

My older brother was KIA during the TE Offensive of ’68. After the initial shock and everything that followed, My dad had this printed up as an insert for the High School Annual we went to.

I do not know who wrote it or where it came from, but I have shared it with a few of the folks I work with when they needed it.

So, here it is for any one that may need the comfort.

To All Parents
by John H. Weymouth

“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, or twenty-two or three.
But will you, ’til 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 this wide world over, in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come 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 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’ve planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

God bless ALL the parents and our brave Soldiers.
SEMPER FIDELIS
John H. Weymouth