Tatum Wallace ~ June 1, 1998 - October 4, 2008

I know I've had this in a previous post, but bears repeating:

God's Lent Child

I’ll lend you for a little while, a child of mine, God said

For you to love the while she lives and mourn for when she’s dead.

It may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three

But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?

She’ll bring her charms to gladden you and should her stay be brief

You’ll always have her memories as a solace in your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth return,

But there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked this whole world over in my search for teachers true

And from the folk that crowd Life’s lane I have chosen you.

Now will you give her all your love and not think the labour vain,

Nor hate me when I come to take this lent child back again?

I fancy that I heard them say “Dear God, thy will be done.

For all the joys this child will bring the risk of grief we’ll run.

We will shelter her with tenderness, we’ll love her while we may

And for all the happiness we’ve ever known, we’ll ever grateful stay.

But should the angels call her much sooner than we’d planned

We will brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."

~ Author Unknown

Caitlyn & Tatum........

Tatum M. Wallace DeWitt Tatum M. Wallace, age 10, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, October 4, 2008 after a courageous battle with cancer. Tatum was born in St. Johns on June 1, 1998 the daughter of Curtis and Dawn (Vandervest) Wallace and was a 5th grader at Herbison Woods School in DeWitt. She loved fashion, clothes, doing nails, make-up and hair. Survived by her parents, Curtis Wallace and Dawn Wallace, both of DeWitt and sister Paige Wallace at home; Grandparents, Bob Wallace of Potterville, MI, Fran Snider of Lansing, MI and Janice Vandervest of St. Johns, MI; and Best friends Emily Udry and Caitlyn Babb. Preceded in death by her grandfather, Elmer Vandervest. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 1:00 p.m. at Pilgrim United Methodist Church, (corner of Parks and DeWitt Rd.) with Pastor Ken Bremer officiating. Burial will follow at DeWitt Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Keck-Coleman Funeral Home, 989-224-4422 on Monday, October 6, 2008, 2-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Tatum Wallace Medical Expense Fund, c/o Bank of America, 12990 S. US 27, DeWitt, MI 48820 or Children's Miracle Network.