Poem or saying to honor deceased parents at baby's birth

liz4paws · July 2014

Ok, random post ahead...

Anyone good at writing poems or finding special sayings?

Some backstory...My mom died in December 2011 of cancer. At that time, we were just uncovering our infertility and DOR diagnosis when she passed. It royally sucked to say the least. About a week before her death, she promised to "pull some strings from heaven" for us to have a baby. After a very difficult road, we are finally expecting our baby via embryo adoption and she is coming on July 29 through scheduled c section. No doubt my mom made good on her promise because I can't imagine our situation being any more perfect. This was how it was meant to be all along.

Now, on top of that, DH's dad died of cancer in 2004. I know DH misses his dad greatly as he becomes a dad himself.

So you know how sometimes at weddings they will have a poem or a quote to honor the deceased loved ones at such a special occasion? I'd love to take a photo of both my mom and his dad, put it in a frame with a beautiful poem or quote and pack it in my hospital bag to place in our room after delivery and we're settled. It will be a surprise for DH to see and it really means a lot to me to do. I have no doubt they will both be there in spirit that day welcoming our baby girl.

Now I just need an appropriate quote or poem. Anyone have any ideas? Or even better, anyone good at writing short poems that might work? Our baby girl will be named Samantha, or Sammy as a nn, if that helps!

marnief · July 2014

What a beautiful idea - I will follow your lead and pack a picture of my DH's father in my hospital bag as well - my DH's father also died of cancer in 2004, years before we met. I will look and possibly write something myself, and I'll share with you whatever I come up with. Thank you for this idea.

liz4paws · July 2014

@marnief I'd love to hear what you come up with!

I've been googling ideas this morning and realize I can easily repurpose some of the wedding stuff for the birth of a baby with a few wording changes.

Here's the first stab at a repurposed wedding poem, in case you like it?

----------

Although we cannot see you,
We know that you are here.
We feel the warmth of your smile,
And can sense that you are near.

And we want for you to know,
Your love is still our guide,
Memories carried in our hearts,
You are always at our side.

It's sad you will not be here,
As this life begins anew
And so we'll hug her extra tight,
In loving memory of you.

amwenz · July 2014

I love the lyrics to josh groban's song you raise me up...

mmhopeful · July 2014

Both my father and my husband's father also are since passed. I had planned to bring their framed photos to the hospital with me as well in order to have them here in spirit. We are planning on naming our sons after each of our father's first names and to know they would have been so happy for us feels right. As for a poem, I'd love to see what others come up with too.

Siona1976 · July 2014

What a beautiful & thoughtful idea!! This isn't a poem but may help if you get stuck. On my wedding day, my dad gave me a photo album with pictures of family past & present and underneath each picture he wrote a little something from them (this album still brings tears to my eyes to this day). When I found this album on our table at the reception and started flipping through I was crying. A few captions that my dad wrote from family who have made it to the other side:

A picture with me & my great-grandparents. Caption: Gram & Gramp told me to tell you, "Congratulations," for them.

WWII picture of my uncle. Caption: Well, I was your Dad's godfather, so I guess that makes me your Grand Godfather. You've made your whole family proud of you, and all of us send you our love and admiration. Wish we could be with you today, but you are always in our thoughts. Love, Uncle B.

WWII picture of my grandfather. Caption: Well, kiddo, I missed your big day, but I'm with you in spirit. I will always remember you and love you always. Have a wonderful life! Love forever, Gramp

lcloffredo · July 2014

Don't know if it's too morbid but I like it because it reminds us that the ones we love

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

rlk2 · July 2014

No advice but this is such a great idea! I'm sure your mom has something to so with your miracle

liz4paws · July 2014

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses!

marnief · July 2014

@liz4paws, I came across this poem...we are giving Munchkin a middle name after DH's father, so it's relevant for us. It's not *exactly* what I'm looking for and I will keep looking and thinking!

Each of us has a name

By Zelda, translated by Marcia Lee Falk

Each of us has a name

given by God

and given by our parents

Each of us has a name

given by our stature and our smile

and given by what we wear

Each of us has a name

given by the mountains

and given by our walls

Each of us has a name

given by the stars

and given by our neighbors

Each of us has a name

given by our sins

and given by our longing

Each of us has a name

given by our enemies

and given by our love

Each of us has a name

given by our celebrations

and given by our work

Each of us has a name

given by the seasons

and given by our blindness

Each of us has a name

given by the sea

and given by

our death.

liz4paws · July 2014

Beautiful suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad I asked!

WA1215 · July 2014

OP, thank you for posting this thoughtful idea! DHs father was killed when he was only 12, and although I never met him, I know it must be hard for him to go through bringing a child into this world without his own father. There are some very beautiful ideas here! I may end up making him a card with a photo of him and his father with some sort of poem, so it's just for him to keep. Thanks again!

marnief · July 2014

I came across another beautiful idea - take some of the person's clothes and have them made into a quilt for the baby. I found this etsy shop and just contacted them. I am nowhere near crafty enough to do it myself.

liz4paws · July 2014

marnief said:

I came across another beautiful idea - take some of the person's clothes and have them made into a quilt for the baby. I found this etsy shop and just contacted them. I am nowhere near crafty enough to do it myself.

Oh. My. God.

I'm so doing this. Thank you for sharing!

marnief · July 2014

DH doesn't have enough shirts for a quilt, so we will try to get two teddy bears made...just in case we do try again and get lucky again.

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