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HEATHER LESLEA CAROL STANSFIELD
We both loved Heather so much that it hurt. But we have such precious memories:
Her giggle, her smile, and her Rupert bear teddy bear that she loved, and Gerald placed in her coffin [casket].
The 1st Christmas, Heather [in her baby walker] and Ray who was almost 8 months old and crawling, had got under our Xmas Tree -[a
real one]. I heard giggles and discovered they had found the chocolate decorations and had eaten them. The pair of them were stuck under the tree, and I ended up nearly demolishing the tree to get them both out. They were covered in pine needles and chocolate. Needless to say the chocolate decorations were higher up in future years!
All the journeys to and from various hospitals wondering if, this would be the last time. In the 60's Heart Surgery was not as advanced as it is now.
Words are not adequate to say what we felt when Heather finally left us. Ray was 11 months old. We had the post mortem to go through, funeral
arrangements to make. The same car that took us home as Bride and Groom in May 1961 was now less than 3 years later taking us to Heather's funeral. April 14th - 2 days before she would have been 2 years old. Her casket lay in front of us. Memories of that day and the days leading up to it are etched forever in our mind.
Now we have 3 more daughters. LINDSEY SAMANTHA DENISE was born December 7th, 1965. JUDITH AMANDA was born March 18th, 1967, and our final addition JACQUELENE ELISABETH born on March, 1970. We love our daughters and son - but until I got them all over 2 years of age I never felt 'safe'.
GOD'S LENT CHILD
I'll lend you for a while
a child of mine God said,
For you to love the while she lives
and mourn for when she's dead.
It may be 6 or 7 years
or 42 or 3,
but, will you till I call her back
take care of her for me?
She'll bring her joys to gladden you
and should her stay be brief,
You'll always have her memories
as solace in your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay
since all from earth return.
But, there are lessons taught below
I want this lent child to learn.
I have looked the whole world over
in my search for Teachers true.
and, from the folk that crowd life's lanes
I have chosen you.
Now, will you give her all your love
and not think the labour vain,
nor,
hate me when I come to take
this lent child home again?
I fancy that I've heard them say
Dear God thy will be done,
for all the joys this child shall bring
the risk of grief we'll gladly run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness,
we'll hug her whilst we may.
and for all the happiness we've ever known
we'll ever grateful stay.
But, should the angels call her back
much sooner than we've planned
we'll brave the bitter grief that comes
and try and understand.
[author unknown]
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