Nate Poem by Jim Yerman

Today on my walk…I'm thinking about destiny…I'm thinking a lot about fate…
I'm thinking about Nathaniel…a boy I never knew…whose parents called him Nate.

I only had to see his photograph to be encompassed by his charms…
and to be saddened to learn….days after turning one year old….
how Nate died in his parents' arms.

He fought hard to stay alive…as hard as a little one can…
until the doctors told his parents…Fate had other plans.

In an unselfish act of love…Nate's parens decided to give
his organs away to other children…so other children could live.

As I say…I did not know Nate…did not now his mom or dad…
Then why, I wonder, did the news of his passing make me feel so sad?

Many people I don't know die each and every day
why should the death of a boy I never knew affect me in this way?

His photo and the little I learned about his life was enough to make me care…
I did not need to know Nate or his parents to offer them this prayer:

Nate, I pray you find peace in heaven and your parents discover a way…
to find peace upon this Earth…until you are all together again…one day.

Nate, I pray you and your parents know you are living in the minds and in the hearts
of the families and in the children blessed to receive one of your parts.

Nate, I pray that you up in heaven…and your parents here on Earth too…
know you live on in the memory…of one old man…you never knew.