Jake Cavanaugh Foundation

A Child of Mine

“I’ll lend you, for a little while, a child of mine,” He said,
“for you to love the while he lives, and mourn for when he’s dead.

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him home, take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, but should his stay be brief
You’ll have his loving memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over for teachers kind and true
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love; don’t think your labors vain,
And don’t hate me when I come to bring him home again.

I’m certain that I heard you say, “O Lord, Thy will be done.”
For all the joy this child shall bring, the risk of grief you’ll run.

You’ll shower him with tenderness and love him while you may
And for the happiness you’ve known, forever grateful stay.

And should the angels call for him much sooner than you planned,
Together brave the bitter strife and try to understand.

JAKE'S STORY

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

If tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me, please know I’m in your heart.

If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you care for me, and how much I care for you,
and each time that you think of me I know you’ll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready in heaven far above,
and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I’d always thought I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do.
it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while,
I’d say goodbye and hug you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things that I’d miss come tomorrow.
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity and all I’ve promised you,
Today your life on earth is past but here it’s starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last.
and since each day’s the same, there’s no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.
And you have been forgiven and now at last you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"

So if tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me, please know I’m in your heart.