Happy Birthday Zackary

Read with love at Zackary's memorial service, 02/13/1999
By Tara Hernandez

Happy Birthday Zackary--Love, Mommy, Daddy, Jessica and Aly

Date: Mon, 10 May 1999

Thy will be done
In Memory of Zackary Shane Herkins
12/11/98-02/10/99

I will lend to you, for a little time
A child of mine, He said
For you to love the while he lives,
and mourn for when he's gone
It may be six, or seven years, or twenty two or three,
but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief
You'll have his loving memories
As solace for your grief

I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from Earth returns
But there are lessons taught down there
I want Zackary to learn

... and from the throngs that crowd life's lane
I have selected you
Now will you give Zackary all your love,
Nor think the labor vain
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take him back again?

I fancied that I heard then say" Dear LORD, Thy will be done,
for all the jot this baby brings,
the risk of grief will run
We'll shelter Zack with tenderness
We'll love him while we may
And for the happiness, we've known
FOREVER grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And Try to understand

Read with love at Zackary's memorial service, 02/13/1999
By Tara Hernandez

Happy Birthday Zackary--Love, Mommy, Daddy, Jessica and Aly