Three slightly different versions of the following poem was sent to me by three different persons at Julie's death. I have combined the three versions into the following. - BBJS

"I'll lend you for a little time, a child of mine," He said, "For you to love while she lives, and mourn when she is dead. It may be one and twenty years, or only two or three, But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?" "She'll bring her charms to gladden you and should her stay be brief, You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise she 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 lands, I have selected you. Now will you give her all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call, to take her back again?" I fancied 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. And shall the angels call for her much sooner than we planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand." In Memory of: Julie Anne Johnson Born December 23, 1970 Died August 12, 1992