Justin - we miss you

One of my very best and longest friends sent this poem to me. Her little grandson just died of a mysterious stomach ailment and she's still in mourning. I never met her grandson as she's in Louisiana and I'm several states away now. We were neighbors and went to the same church and same college while I lived in Mississippi over twenty years ago. I can't imagine losing any of my children or grandchildren. That's just incomprehensible. My friend called me the day he was dying but by the time I was able to call her back, she couldn't talk. Her grandson Justin died about two weeks ago. It was almost a year ago that another precious Justin died. He was a co-worker and my friend's good son. That Justin was also a wonderful young man with a lot of promise. He was 25 vs. 7, but we still weren't prepared to let him go. I still have Justin's pictures on my desk at work. I no longer cry when I see them although writing this brings a burn to my eyes. I still miss Justin, and although I didn't know him, my friend's beloved grandson, too. This is a very beautiful poem so I'd like to share it with you as my good friend shared it with me. I'll lend you for a little time a child of Mine, He said For 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 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 the 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, In sunshine and in rain And think not 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 will 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 him much Sooner than we've planned. We'll brave the bitter grief that comes And try to understand.