Lend me a kitten

stitchfl

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I saw this posted on another board I vist and thought I would share. It definitely made me tear up.



Lend Me a Kitten--author unknown


I will lend to you a kitten, God said
For you to love while he lives and mourn when he is dead
Maybe for 12 or 13 years, or maybe just 2 or 3
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief
You'll always have the memories as solace for your grief
I cannot promise he will stay, since all from Earth return
But there are lessons taught below I want THIS kitten to learn

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you
Now will you give him all your love and not think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take My kitten home again?

My heart replied,"My Lord, Thy Will be done.
For all the love this kitten brings, the risk of grief I'll run."
"We'll shelter him with tenderness, and love him while we may,
and for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay.

But if you call him back much sooner tha we had planned,
please help us brave the bitter grief and try to understand."
"If by our love, your wishes we've managed to achieve,
in memory of his sweet, sweet love, please help us while we grieve.

And when our cherished kitten departs this world of strife,
please send us yet another one to love for all his life."
 

hissy

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It's actually a rendition of the original poem by Edgar Guest called Thy Will Be Done. Edgar wrote it when his own infant son died-

I was sent the poem by nurses at the Children's Hospital of Santa Ana long ago when my own son died. It spoke volumes to me and I memorized it and have passed it along in my life.

Here it is in the full, true rendition


Thy Will Be Done


"I'll lend you for a 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, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll 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 there 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 him all your love, not 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 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 should the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned,

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

-Edgar Guest-
 

sashacat421

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oh my! Stitch thank you - and Hissy too. That was amazing to read as I can say I definitely had the experience of just that. Freddie, from leukemia, at barely 8 mos RIP 11/9/03
......and now we have a new one, our little Saba. That really touched me (and Sasha, too).
 

snowleop

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Originally Posted by fwan

I think i might print it and put it in my pretty book
Me too. I have a book where I keep my jottings and such about kitty-cats.
That's a beautiful poem, Stitch. Thank you!
 

sanctie

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I am at a computer lab on campus and am trying not to cry in front of all these people,,lol. It is very very touching,,both renditions.
 
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