A Different Child

A different child.
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.
But if sometimes between the smiles there’s a trace of tears,
One day you’ll understand.
You’ll understand there was once another child
A different child who was in their hopes and dreams.
That child will never outgrow the baby clothes
That child will never keep them up at night
In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all.
Except sometimes, in a silent moment,
When your mother and father miss so much
That different child.
May hope and love wrap you warmly and may you learn the lesson forever
How infinitely precious, how infinitely fragile is this life on earth.
And one day, as a young man or woman
You may 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 mother tried again.”