“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.

And 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 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.

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 parents tried again."

~ Pandora MacMillian