Thinking of Kate

Kate is doing well, and has been pretty stable since we've been home. She brings a sweet, peaceful feeling into our home. Some of you have seen this poem, written by a friend of ours. It expresses so many of the feelings we have about Kate.

Ephemeral Angel, Eternal Daughter
By Ben Dower

Will you teach me to be strong, Kate,
with your tiny hands that will never
clench an angry fist or lift a heavy burden
and a baby mouth that will never form an angry word
or hurt another’s feelings in a moment of haste?

Teach me to love unconditionally,
a lesson you were born knowing
but I must repeat again and again.
Struggling to be like you.

There are times when I feel so weak,
helpless and impotent, spiritually lost.
I wish you could show me the way.

Kate Austyn Sharp, ephemeral angel,
remind me to be thankful
that you could bless my life
and to appreciate every moment you were with us.

Teach me to avoid the bitterness you will never feel
and to cherish each day, though you had so few.

You came into this world
with an imperfect heart, but untarnished soul
knowing so much more that I have yet to learn,
needing so little time for the lessons
I grapple with every day.

Will you remind me, Kate,
during my moments of anguish and doubt,
that you can leave so quickly
only because you were born
with wisdom I must yet obtain?

Thus broken, you are strong
and though my heart is healthy,
it feels shattered. Please help me be whole
when I am threatened by dissolution.

Above all, Kate Austyn Sharp,
eternal daughter, teach me to be patient
for that someday when at last
I have learned what you already know,
and we are reunited.

I will recognize you
and you will be so proud of me
and we will be a family once more.