01/19/79 - 11/23/97

"Understanding"
( By Edgar Guest )

"I'll lend you for a little while,
A child of mine," He said.
For you to love the while he lives,
And mourn, when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty-two or three.
But will you, until I call him back,
Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his days be brief.
You'll have his lovely memories,
As solace for you 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 this wide world over,
In my search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected for you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labor vain.
Nor hate me when I come to call,
To take him back again?
I fancy that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness,
We will love him while we may.
And for the happiness we have known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the Angles call for him,
Much sooner then we have planned.
We will brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to UNDERSTAND."

The disappearance of Travis Killen remains unsolved.  Please click here to view his unsolved case page.