Our surprise has gone home ...

A number of years ago, I wrote a poem when our friends lost a child,
entitled "Never Known." I thought I would share it today along with
the news that the special surprise that brightened our hearts for a few
short days has returned to the arms of the Giver of all good and
perfect gifts. We look forward to meeting our "surprise" one day
when we are reunited in God's presence! Thank you for your love and prayers.

Love, Stephanie

“Never Known”

As our child leaves this world,
There’s so much that we don’t know—
What she could have been, what she could have done,
If given a chance to grow.

We never knew her smile,
Or brushed her soft dark hair,
We never kissed her wounded knee
Or chose what she would wear.

Our empty arms remind us
They’re the place that she should be;
But somehow, though we don’t know why,
You’ve taken her with Thee.

Perhaps that she might never know
The bitterness of tears,
The brokenness of a youthful heart
Or the tremors of childish fears.

Perhaps You chose to keep her safe,
Away from this world’s harm—
But did You also have to take
Her from her parents’ loving arms?

Though we will sorrow and feel her loss,
We’ll trust her to Your care;
And one day in Heaven, we’ll meet our child
When You take us to her there.

We may not understand Your plan
In keeping us apart;
But we know You’ll keep her in our love
And forever in our hearts.