DIFFERENT CHILDREN

(in memory of Austin and Alex)

People notice there’s a special glow around you.

You grow surrounded by love.

Never doubting you are wanted;

Only look at the pride and joy

In your mother and father’s eyes.

And if sometimes between the smiles

There’s a trace of tears,

One day you’ll understand.

You’ll understand

There were once two other children.

Different children

Who were in their hopes and dreams.

Those children will never outgrow the baby clothes.

Those children will never keep them up at night.

In fact, those children will never be any trouble at all.

Except sometimes, in a silent moment,

When mother and father miss so much

Those different children!

May hope and love wrap you warmly

And may you learn the lesson forever

How infinitely fragile is this life on earth.

One day, as a young man or woman

You see another mother’s tears

Another father’s silent grief

Then you, and you alone will understand

And offer the greatest comfort.

When all hope seems lost,

You will tell them with great compassion,

“I know how you feel, I’m only here

Because my parents tried again.”

Author Unknown