A Child - Heaven Sent

The long day was nearly over
and time had come to leave
the busy hospital setting
and finally find relief
from the challenging responsibility
of caring for those who were ill
and this dedicated doctor
had really had his fill.

The night was bitter cold
with snow blowing around
and home was a welcome site,
to reach a chair and sit down.
Although his supper was prepared,
he said he'd like to wait,
just to relax with his wife
and set aside the hectic pace.

Then suddenly they heard a knock
and when opening the door
the doctor saw a little girl
who had braved the winter storm.
The little one wore tattered clothes
and tears streamed down her face.
"Sir, my mother is dying," she said,
and bid the doctor come to her place.

He quickly donned his sweater
and grabbed his overcoat,
and taking the little girl by the hand,
together they headed out.
Just two blocks away
they climbed a flight of stairs;
the little girl looked up at him,
while saying, "She's in there."

There a woman lay trembling,
with a fever burning her up
and the doctor knew he must work fast,
or this woman was out of luck.
Finally the fever was lowering
as his efforts began to help
and the doctor made arrangements
to send her where she'd get well.

When the woman's eyes opened
she thanked this generous man
and he in turn told her,
it was her little girl's wise plan.
A sweet little child, she braved the cold,
and searched me out at my home.
Your little girl saved your life,
without her I wouldn't have known.

Tears filled
the sick woman's eyes
"Sir," she said, "a month ago...
my little girl died."

"But she knocked on my door
and led me here!
I held her hand...
she showed me where..."

The puzzled doctor
looked all around
and in a nearby clothes closet
he found
the tattered clothes
the child had worn,
completely dry,
despite the storm.

The woman smiled
through her tears
as the doctor searched
and she could hear,
"She's gone,"
and the doctor wondered how to explain...
a child - heaven sent...
to heal her mother's pain.

(c) Written January 20,
1998 by Viola Doncaster
Inspired by a true story
in Kelsey Tyler's book
"There's an Angel
on Your Shoulder."
Dedicated to all caregivers
who have ever kindly cared for me.

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