Children

Life and Death Matters Before Us

In life there certainly are profoundly sad events

which prohibit a parent from fulfilling a God-given duty

so deeply cherished. This letter to his unborn child,

published originally in the

Christian Herald,

was found

on the body of a soldier (no further details are known):

My child, sleeping now in the dark and

gathering strength for the struggle of birth, I

wish you well. At present you have no proper

shape. In time and through the life of your

mother, whom I deeply love, there will be

something in you that will give you power to

fight for air and life. Such is your heritage,

such is your destiny as a child born of woman -–

to fight for light and hold on without knowing

why.

May you seek always and strive in good

faith and high courage in this world where men

grow so tired. Keep your wonder at great and

noble things like sunlight and thunder, the rain

and the stars, the wind and the sea, the growth

of trees and the return of harvests. Keep your

heart hungry for new knowledge; keep your

hatred of a lie; and keep your power of

indignation.

Now I must die, and you must be born to

stand upon the rubbish heap of my errors.

Forgive me for this. I am ashamed to leave

you an untidy world. In thought, as a last

benediction, I kiss your forehead. Good night

to you -- and good morning and a clear dawn.