On March 26th, 2008, God blessed our family with Faith Hope Duran, my granddaughter. She was born at 7:32am, weighing in at 4 lb, 9.9 oz, 16 inches. Faith was diagnosed with Alobar Holoprosencephaly. A serious condition in which the brain fails to separate. Doctors gave her a day, at best. As I said, we were blessed, for Faith proved them all wrong, for seven weeks. She passed May 16th, 2008.
From the beginning, the doctors gave her little chance, explaining to us that little Faith was born with nothing more than a brain stem and fluid where her brain should be. The one day prognosis was given on the basis that once the brain stem shifts or recedes (something to that effect), Faith would no longer have the ability to keep her heart beating or the ability to keep breathing. Even before birth, doctors weren’t very optimistic, expecting her not to survive her first breathe.
Within a day, Faith and mother were released to go home. The hospital determined that we could do just as much for her at home as they could there. Something they called ‘Comfort Care’.
In the weeks that followed, Faith was visited by nurses on a daily basis. She opened her eyes more and enjoyed when Grandma would play with her.
Six weeks in, Faith was an even 5 lb and 19 inches. The doctors tune changed from day to day, though you had to listen intently to notice that, as it all seemed like different notes of the same horrible song.
May 16th, 2008. Sitting at my desk, at work. I received a phone call from Josh, my son. His daughter was gone. Thankful to be mostly alone in the office, I let out a sobbing scream that brought my boss running. Soon, I was out the door, tasked with relaying the news to Veronica. That was followed by a mad dash across the city, to the hospital, to be with the rest of the family.
Seven weeks wasn’t nearly enough. I’d give anything to have even one moment back.
God looked around His garden
And He found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful;
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering.
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered “Peace be thine”.
It broke our heart to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
This poem was chosen for the back of the memorial card at the funeral services. A beautiful and fitting piece of writing. I truly wish I knew the author so I could tell him/her how much it means to our family.
14 Comments
Stephanie
I have no clue who the author is but this poem was placed on my father’s obituary in 1985. So it’s a very old poem.
18 Sep
Danielle
I used this at my father’s funeral too. I would love to know who it was written by. It’s such a beautiful poem and it fit so well.
21 Oct
Jannette
My mothers grandmother died (my great grandmother). it was really sad and i miss her! though i think it was in january she would’ve turned 90 so she lived a long life. it was so beautiful at the fact that she died as we were praying for her.
21 Dec
Autumn
This is such a beautiful poem. It is so well fitting to someone who had just lost a loved one. This was actually left at my dad’s obituary too when I was 12 and I fell in love with this poem!
20 Apr
Emma
This is gorgeous. I have spent ages trying to find a more fitting poem to read at my great-grandmother’s funeral, which is taking place on monday. I can’t find a better one. It’s perfect. I wish I knew who the author was.
10 Jun
Nicole
this is such a beautiful poem and i think i will use it for my great grand mother’s Funeral for next weekend
13 Nov
JG
We used this for my dads funeral, but who is the author??
28 Nov
david
This poem was giving to me by my sister when my father pass away. I thought it was so beautiful that I decided to make a song out of it. I put music to it and would like to record it . Since there is no author to be found, WOULD I HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO RECORD THE POEM . Please give me a reply.
31 Dec
DML
In my opinion, I’d say record it.
I’ve looked high and low to find the author and have had absolutely no luck. If this poem isn’t credited to anyone, I can’t see where the harm would be in recording it.
If you do record it, I’d love to hear it.
Thanks.
4 Jan
H Walker
My mum sadly passed away on December 20th and this was read at her funeral. It just was so perfect for how she passed away and how we feel. I miss her terribly.
Many of those attending commented on how fitting and lovely the poem was.
16 Jan
Sammy Rose
I found this poem in the registrar’s office when I went to register my father’s death today – it is so beautiful and I have chosen it for his funeral but feel so sad that I cannot credit the writer.
28 Mar
Jenny matthews
I love this poem it was read at my mothers funeral and my father in laws my friend is dying and would like me to read something out at her funeral so I picked this
3 May
Rosalba Bragalone Abrahamsen
It is a beautiful poem and would like to translate in Italian. Has it ever been published in different languages?
21 Jul
Jeremy Davis
The author, Renee Torti has written many varations of this poem, to fit the situation or person. The first was version was wriiten for a friend. The author was in her early twenties at the time.
As far as I know, she last lived in the Dallas area. I first read the poem in a small rogue Dallas magazine in the 80s. It was said, that she attended and was active in poem readings in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas. That’s where I picked up the magazine. I kept the clipping from the magazine for many years. I have since lost the clipping from moves during the years. The information I haven given here is from an old email to a family member of mine. Hope this helps!
21 Jan
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