Written By Leslie Ethington
For Cade & Leslie Smith
12.19.2003

“I have a special spirit,”
I heard the Savior say.
“He needs to come to earth now
But he doesn’t need to stay.”

“He needs two loving parents
With a testimony strong
To give him a small body
So he can move along.”

“This valiant little spirit
Proved himself here up above,
But he needs two earthly parents
With unconditional love.”

“I’ve chosen you, my children,
To be partners in my plan
And when you send him back to me,
I hope you’ll understand.”

“You’ll have to make a sacrifice
That will cause you grief and pain,
To help this precious spirit
His salvation to attain.”

“I’ve felt the pain and sacrifice,
For I gave my life for you.
I atoned for all your worldly sins.
That was also hard to do.”

“I know this is a lot to ask
Of those as young as you,
But with this comes a miracle
To prove my love is true.”

“When your earthly life is finished
And you’ve grown through grief and pain,
Your little son and I will greet you
In your celestial reign.”

“Your family will be eternal
And you’ll be blessed in my sight,
Because you love each other
And you’ve tried to do what’s right.”

Bridger's Poem

Above, you've read Bridger's Poem. I want to share briefly how this poem came to me...

On my last day in the hospital, after losing Bridger, my friends and family managed to get a key to our newly built condo in Pleasant Grove. They wanted to get my things moved out of storage and put in place so that I had a private, comfortable place to come home to and recover.

I let my family know I would be okay by myself, in my hospital room, and that I just wanted some time alone. Before long, I felt horribly alone. Horribly alone and apart from the beautiful boy who was with me for 9 perfect, precious months. I couldn't hold back from sobbing.

Around the curtain came a sweet lady who was also named Leslie. I was sharing a room with her ailing mother. No words were said. She simply came to my side and held me in her arms as I poured out the agonizing pain from my heart. She was my Angel. It wasn't until the next morning, upon being released, that she again came to see me.

While visiting her mother, she had heard all that I was suffering and late that night after leaving my side, she said she felt inspired to write this poem for Cade and I.

It was read at the graveside service for Bridger and in my opinion, was all that needed to be said. This poem continues to uplift and comfort me. I will forever be grateful for the day I met Leslie Ethington. My Friend, my Angel.