TAKE A LETTER TO DESIREE

TAKE A LETTER TO DESIREE
When you were born
I treasured you alone.
I chose to name you
Desiree, the Desired One.
I deferred a life
so this one could be done.
It is my whole sacrifice.

I had to learn to care for you.
Share you with granddad and grand mom.
Your Father, Carl, cared for you too.
Carl loved you more than I could know;
until I read of your beginnings
In his journal written many years ago.

I had no idea
A man could feel so strong.
And not be torn between child and wife.
Nine months with him, you didn't begin.
Could he feel what I naturally had within?
Little did I realize that it is in him
Jehovah endowed the life-giving stem.

In your bright years
You blossomed.
So beautiful you are still.
My heart stops with a great chill
You, product of our life’s endeavor.
We made a good investment forever.

I rejoiced to see you accomplish.
I agonized to see you suffer.
Making wrong turns,
Lasting marks that burn.
On a life too naïve and fragile to plan
Or the consequences to understand.
I picked my heart right off the floor
And prayed for a moment more.

Will we live together forever?
I cannot say …
Only you can affect that level.
This tribute to you I humbly pay:
“Whether we live in this
small Span of Time,
Or whether in A New World sublime;
I will spend each second of
every hour loving you!"

Your Mom

Earthene Fleming
9/7/2003 Revised: 8/14/2005

Author's Comments:
"This poem was written in honor of our firstborn, only Child, Desiree A. Fleming. (Each one of our children is an "only child".