Mathew Arend Gaalswijk

by Peter Gaalswijk

I miss you with all of my heart
You were taken from us so close to the start
Of what I hoped to be
A perfect life for you and me
I wanted to be able to play catch
Or watch you and the dog play fetch
To practice with you at basketball
Even if you might drop the ball or fall
I wanted to watch you grow
And watch you experience life while watching from a back row
To put my arm around you
And say "Son, I love you"
I wanted to see you drive your first car
To see you become your own star
Your time in this world, though so short
Made our lives so wonderful though it's tough to sort
Though 3 1/2 months is all you were here
We'll hold you forever so close and so dear
We recall that wonderful laugh and smile
And how we'd dress you up in style
You'd sit and stare at the fan
While we'd watch and dream of you as a man
27 inches, 21 pounds made you big and strong
We didn't think God would let things go so wrong
Some days I pray to God and ask for you
To come back to us for just a day or two
Just to be able to have you to hold and hug
And watch you scoot around on the rug
We want to hear you cry
But are left to only ask why
Each day when we wake we hope and pray
That you'll come back to us this day
This thing called SIDS stole you from us
Though we can't change things no matter how we fuss
I pray your time in heaven
will be blessed like a lucky seven
And know that that day will come
When mine and Liz's hearts beat that final drum
And join you up in the sky
to play in those fields of rye
and forever be
that happy family

In memory of Mathew Arend Gaalswijk

Reprinted from When The Bough Breaks II
A book compiled by San Diego Guild For Infant Survival.
Stories, poems and letters from those affected by SIDS.
Please send a check for $12.95 to:
Guild for Infant Survival
14297 Hacienda Lane
Poway, CA 92064