This tribute is to VA Tech victims & their families, Lancaster County Amish School families, Hurricane Katrina victims & their families; World Trade Center & Pentagon victims & their families; Littleton, Colorado; Oklahoma City Bombing victims & their families; as well as Santana High School, Santee, CA; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Paducah, Kentucky; Montoursville, Pennsylvania, and to all families everywhere who have lost children, family and friends to violence. (Even though this poem was originally written for the Columbine tragedy, it applies to and will minister to students and families everywhere.)

FROM GOD...

Dear Parents, Friends and Loved Ones,

Of these precious youths you've lost,

I see your broken spirits,

I know the terrible cost.

Though evil reigned at Columbine,

And horror filled the air,

I wanted all of you to know,

I left heaven and came there.

I summoned Heaven's Angels,

long before the call came in,

To share the dreadful warning,

of what would soon begin.

The Angels' wings were folded,

they knew what was to come,

When I said, "I'll lead this mission,"

they followed one by one.

"I will go and get these babies,

and bring them home with me,

Where they'll live in Heaven's Schoolhouse,

Where it's safe and terror free."

Yes, I've prepared a Special Schoolhouse,

It stands out from all the rest,

The Welcome Mat reads, "Columbine."

It's reserved for Heaven's best.

I was hovering all around them,

In the Library and the Hall,

when the evil forces entered,

Your children heard me call.

I wrapped my arms around them,

Pulled them close unto my breasts,

"I've come to take you with me,

we must go and leave the rest."

Your friends will long remember,

All the cool times that we shared,

And the Angels will remind them,

How very much you cared."

Yes, I took those precious children,

in the twinkling of an eye,

we were on our way to Heaven,

To their schoolhouse in the sky.

I know your hearts are broken,

I know the pain you bear,

My heart is also broken,

by the evil everywhere.

Please help me fight this battle,

To keep your children safe,

Through prayers and love and sharing,

And holding to the faith,

that peace will surely reign one day,

In schools throughout the lands,

for all our future hopes and dreams,

Rest in our students hands.

I'll give you peace to fill your hearts,

Send sun to break the night,

Provide the strength to move beyond,

The wrongs and do what's right.

You ask how I can know your pain,

From the loss of your dear one,

It's because it seems like yesterday,

When I, too, gave up a Son.

Author has asked to remain anonymous

Please read on for addendum from Sherry Sharon:

When you have lost a loved one to a violent death, especially a child, you have every right to ask, "God where were you when my daughter (or son) died?" If we could listen carefully you would most likely hear Him say, "The same place I was when Mine died. I was there all the time. No, they were never alone."

You probably are consumed with the "If onlys..." If only I had kept him/her home from school that day. If only I had told them one more time how much I loved them. If only I hadn't said... 

The scriptures forbid communicating with the dead. Curses will result. That's the bad news. The good news is that there is a scriptural way to say goodbye to your son, daughter, or your loved one. Pray and ask God to do it for you. Ask God to give your son, daughter or your loved one a message for you, to tell your son or daughter what you would, if you had one more chance. This will help bring closure. For more detail read Compassion Connection's article on "Healing Guilt" http://www.compassionconnection.org

Background music: "Never Alone"