God, Take This Child...
by Nancy Scott
Sweet child whom we never really got to know,
It’s hard for us to let you go.
We waited and we wanted you.
We had so many dreams for you.
We think of smiles we'll never see.
We think of events that will never be.
There will be no first steps and no first teeth.
There is only a void and our own grief.
We planned to take you to places far and near.
We yearned to keep you safe and free from fear.
We hoped to show you much of your new world.
We wanted to teach you as your life unfurled.
It’s hard to understand why you, our baby, died.
We feel so numb right now, many tears we’ve cried.
We have so many questions and no answers seem to come.
We tried so hard to save you; nothing could be done.
God, we stand before you broken-hearted
and ask you to heal these lives that must be parted
from this little one we can no longer hold,
who will always be a part of us, even when we're old.
God, take this child in your loving arms.
No more can he suffer any harm.
Bless him always and bless us too.
Be with us and help us to make it through.
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God Saw You Getting Tired
- Anonymous
God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped His arms around you,
And whispered, "Come to me."
With tearful eyes we watched you
And saw you pass away
And although we love you dearly
We could not make you stay.
A Golden heart stopped beating
When He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He only takes the best.
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Oh, Little Angel
by Mary Tetzlaff
Oh, little boy, we looked forward to the day you would be born,
But alas, the Lord left us forlorn.
You didn't leave us without a fight.
You fought to stay on Earth with all your might.
You are now resting in the Heavens above,
You left surrounded by your family's strong love.
Our arms are now empty, our hearts are so sad,
You will always be remembered by your mom and your dad.
So to God your tiny soul we release.
We know that your heart is at eternal peace.
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Little Angels
- Author Unknown
When God calls little children
to dwell with him above,
We mortals sometime question
the wisdom of his love.
For no heartache compares with
the death of one small child
Who does so much to make our world,
seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to his fold,
So He picks a rosebud,
before he can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
and so he takes but a few
To make the land of Heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult still
somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows
will always be "Goodbye."
So when a little child departs
we who are left behind
Must realize God loves children,
Angels are hard to find.
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Lullabies
- Author Unknown
Papa please don't look so sad,
Mama please don't cry.
I am in the arms of Jesus
and He sings me lullabies.
Please do not try to question God,
don't think He is unkind.
Don't think He sent me to you and that
He changed His mind.
You see, I am special
and I'm needed up above.
I'm the special child you gave Him,
the product of your love.
I'll always be there with you.
So watch the sky at night.
Find the brightest star that's gleaming.
That's my halo's brilliant light.
So Papa please don't look so sad.
Mama please don't cry.
I am in the arms of Jesus.
And He sings me lullabies.
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Why I Cannot Join A Moms Group
by Stephanie Paige Cole
Surrounded by women
With children in their arms
On their laps
Circling their legs
I belong and I don't
I meet the criteria to be in this club
With a little one balanced on my hip
Playing with my hair
It is a typical mom conversation
What foods have you introduced?
Is he sleeping through the night?
Anyone thinking about having a second?
That's not what’s on my mind
There's a little girl laughing in the corner
She would be just her age
Now I am choking on thoughts
That I cannot turn to words
I will not allow myself to cry here
But I miss her I miss her I miss her
You will alienate yourself
You will be the-woman-with-the-dead-baby
You will not make new friends
I repeat it until I accept it
I chat about teething
I go home and cry
Yes he’s sleeping through the night
He likes pears and avocado
And we’re starting to think about having another
But that would be our third.
And you don’t realize how good you have it
There are things worse than sleepless nights
with cranky infants
There are sleepless nights alone
Bible Verses of Hope & Healing
"Casting the whole of your care [all anxieties, worries, concerns once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully" 1 Peter 5:7
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
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"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands" 2 Corinthians 5:1
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"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE." 1 Corinthians 13:13
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"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:6-7
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"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be Strong. And do everything with love." 1 Corinthians 16:13
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"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, you are blessed for the spirit of glory & of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-13
Special Prayer for Marcus
Dear God, Thank You for Marcus
by Mama Jet
Lord God, thank you for keeping our beautiful son, Marcus, in Your loving care. Thank you for keeping him safe in paradise protected in Your tender embrace. We continue to pray for him, always feeling the deep love we have for our sweet child. His memory will eternally live in our hearts dear Lord; thank you for bringing him into our lives in such a special way. His love will forever be a source of our inspiration, strength, and hope. With him as our little guardian angel in heaven, as our intercessor, we are confident that our prayers to You will always be answered.
Thank you Lord, for making him an instrument for us to live a more meaningful life. Guide us Lord to make each day count. Help us use his memory to better not only ourselves but the lives of others as well.
Thank you for giving him to us. Thank you for the blessing that he will always be. Thank you for the love we would never have known, but for him and his brief hours with us. Thank you for little Marcus, our blessed child of grace.
With confidence in Your great love, dear Lord, bless him with everlasting peace and happiness. May we all meet again one day in the joy of Your kingdom.
These we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayers for Marcus (edited from originals)
Marcus' Prayer Card for Family on his 40th Day (Send-Off to Heaven)
Dear God, he was so small, so beautiful, so full of hope and promise.
What a blessing he has been to all of us who knew him those few hours...
those few short months in his Mama’s womb.
He taught us to love, to hope beyond expectation, to trust in that which is unseen.
He drew us together in our anxiety, our moments of despairing and hopelessness,
as well as in our joys and delight, and in his every breath.
His life ended prematurely; just so had he been born.
Too soon he died.
We wept.
The tears continue.
We hugged and held one another.
The pain will always linger.
Our hearts emptier for his absence and the unfulfilled dreams he promised.
But the love he brought into our lives will live forever.
Thank you for giving him to us.
Thank you for the blessing that he will always be.
Thank you for the love we would never have known,
but for him and his brief hours with us.
Thank you for little Marcus, our blessed child of grace. Amen.
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Lord God, ever caring and gentle, we commit to Your love this little one, quickened to life for so short a time. Enfold him in eternal life. Take him into Your arms and welcome him into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain. We pray for his parents who are saddened by the loss of their child. Give them the courage and help them in their pain and grief. May they all meet one day in the joy and peace of Your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Notable Quotes of Loss, Hope, Strength
"When a parent dies we lose a piece of our past but when a child dies we lose a piece of our future." - excerpt from Fathers Feel Too by Andrew Don
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"Just because I smile doesn't mean I'm happy... because it takes a smile to cover a thousand tears..." - Anonymous
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"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
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"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love.” - Washington Irving
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Angel
by Mache Torres
The meaning of an “angel” is the confirmation of God and His celestial power…
Likewise, an angel is a blessed being who has severed all ties with this nether world…
Has been released from the chains of self and the desires of flesh…
And anchored his heart to the heavenly realms of the Lord…
Songs of Love & Healing
Angel
by Sarah Mclachlan
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance
For a break that would make it okay
There's always one reason
To feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
Memory seeps from my veins
Let me be empty
And weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
So tired of the straight line
And everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
And the storm keeps on twisting
You keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference
Escaping one last time
It's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
In the arms of an angel
Fly away from here
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort there
You're in the arms of the angel
May you find some comfort here
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Fly
by Celine Dion
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
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Precious Child
by Karen Taylor-Good
In my dreams, you are alive and well
Precious child, precious child
In my mind, I see you clear as a bell
Precious child, precious child
In my soul, there is a hole
That can never be filled
But in my heart, there is hope
'Cause you are with me still
In my heart, you live on
Always there never gone
Precious child, you left too soon
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart
In my plans, I was the first to leave
Precious child, precious child
But in this world, I was left here to grieve
Precious child, my precious child
In my soul, there is a hole
That can never be filled
But in my heart there is hope
And you are with me still
In my heart you live on
Always there, never gone
Precious child, you left too soon,
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart
God knows I want to hold you,
See you, touch you
And maybe there's a heaven
And someday I will again
Please know you are not forgotten until then
In my heart you live on
Always there never gone
Precious child, you left too soon
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart
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Awake
by Josh Groban
A beautiful and blinding morning
The world outside begins to breathe
See clouds arriving without warning
I need you here to shelter me
And I know that only time will tell us how
To carry on without each other
So keep me awake to memorize you
Give me more time to feel this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today
If I could make these moments endless
If I could stop the winds of change
If we just keep our eyes wide open
Then everything would stay the same
And I know that only time will tell me how
We'll carry on without each other
So keep me awake for every moment
And give us more time to be this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today
We'll have tomorrow
Wait, you're here right now with me
And all my fears just fall away
When you are all I see
We can't stay like this forever
But I have you here today
And I will remember
I will remember
Remember all the love we shared today
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Better Hands Now
by Natalie Grant
It’s hard to stand
On shifting sand
It’s hard to shine
In the shadows of the night
You can’t be free
If you don’t reach for help
And you can’t love
If you don’t love yourself
But there is hope when my faith runs out
Cause I’m in better hands now
It’s like the sun is shining
When the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying
Though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine
There’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now
I am strong
All because of you
I stand in awe of
Every mountain that you move
I am changed
Yesterday is gone
I am safe
From this moment on
And there’s no fear when the night comes around
I’m in better hands now
It’s like the sun is shining
When the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying
Though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine
There’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now
It’s like the sun is shining
When the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying
Though my feet are on the ground
It’s like the world is silent
Though I know it isn’t true
It’s like the breath of Jesus
Is right here in this room
So take this heart of mine
There’s no doubt
I'm in better hands now
I'm in better hands now
Poems, Love Letters on Special Days
My Mama
by Papa Jhon
Gaze upon her eyes and you will see
What a wonderful Mama she would be
My Mama, I knew you would be
The best one, everyone would agree
Her love and touch so pure
For my aches and pains there is no other cure
For you Mama I feel so blessed
You stand among the best
I love you Mama! I'm just here looking out for you always! Happy Mother's Day!
- Marcus
- a poem from Baby Marcus by Papa Jhon for Mama Jet on Mama's Day 2010
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Dear Daddy
by Jo Ann Taylor
Dear Papa,
I know today is Father's Day
And you miss me really bad,
But if you could see what I see,
You wouldn't be so sad.
I have all kinds of playmates
And playgrounds everywhere!
With swings and slides and
Balloon rides that whiz right
Through the air!
We have ice cream, cake and candy,
Milk, cookies and punch;
We never have to go to bed,
And we choose what we want for lunch.
There's even a river where you and I could fish,
The water's as clear as a day in spring,
And beautiful rainbows and fluffy white clouds
From which I can see everything!
So you see, Papa,
Even though I'm not with you,
I'm under my Father's care,
And when it's time for you to come,
You'll find me waiting right here!
And I'll give you the biggest hug -
Gee, I can hardly wait.
And when no one's looking,
We'll even swing on Heaven's Gate!
I love you Papa. Happy Father's Day!
- edited for Papa Jhon on Papa's Day 2010
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Dear Papa & Mama
- Anonymous
You held my tiny hand for a while
but will hold my heart forever.
- Your Baby Marcus
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I am STRONG because I am weak
I am BEAUTIFUL because I am weak
I am LOVER because I am a fighter
I am FEARLESS because I have been afraid
I am WISE because I have been foolish
... and I can LAUGH because I've known sadness
