The Sleepover

They've packed their bags and favorite toys -
A giggling group of girls and boys.

A trip to Grandma's, a night of treats;
A cousin fest, with little sleep.

They get to play and sleep all night.
Oh they'll behave, they seldom fight.

They've settled in, they're breathing deep;
A sigh, a moan, a little peep.

My house is full, my heart is not.
Inside I have an aching spot.

I miss your voice, your laugh of glee,
Your tiny arms encircling me.

The others here will never know
Why you were taken, we miss you so.

As night descends on sleeping faces
I scan the sky for Heavenly places.

A shining star beams through the night;
A flicker, a twinkle of far away light.

Tears form, but peace fills the air.
You haven't missed it. I know you are here.

Your bag too is packed, with Heavenly toys
Of love and comfort and radiant joy.

Your tiny presence, a watch you'll keep
Over your loved ones as each of them sleeps.

-Chloe's Grandma

Tiny Footprints

A Letter to a Lost Grandbaby and Niece

What a song began in our hearts when she first told us about you, a note of excitement bubbling over. We could not help but fall in love just waiting.

We knitted blankets of hopes, dreamed countless adventures, imagined bright sunny days at the park, your first ice cream cone melting down pudgy fists.

Our arms readied themselves, we waited on edge, longing for the day when your first cries would break the air, and we would be there to soothe, to rock, to lullabye to sleep.

We could not be prepared for the next measure-your mother's voice broken, her heart, our hearts together, rubbed sore and raw with the loss of you. Our arms helpless to soothe, to rock away her pain.

Oh little one, what plans we had, what delicious dreams, what joy you brought in your small space. Your tiny footprints carried with us create a new rhythm in our hearts.

by Kimberly de Montbrun