"Precious Child" was written by Karen Taylor-Good in loving memory of her nephew, Paul Rodgers. She first performed this beautiful song in Nashville at the 1998 National Conference of The Compassionate Friends, a national nonprofit self-help support organization that offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.
In order to listen to the song, you will need one of the players from Real.com (free and pay versions both available).
In March 2002, while we were visiting friends in Tennessee, Karen Taylor-Good graciously agreed to meet my family for lunch. I had been in contact with her to let her know that we had played her song "Precious Child" at Ashley's funeral, and to express how much that song meant to us. We met her for lunch at Cracker Barrel in Franklin, Tennessee, just outside Nashville, and had quite an enjoyable visit. She is a lovely, warm, genuine, caring person. I took the picture below on the porch of the Cracker Barrel restaurant, just after lunch. Justin and Susan are standing on either side of Karen, with Karen holding a picture of Ashley. Click the picture to see it enlarged.
Words and Music by Karen Taylor-Good
In my dreams, you are alive
and well
Precious child, precious child
In my mind, I see you clear as a bell
Precious child, precious child
In my soul, there is a
hole
That can never be filled
But in my heart, there is hope
'Cause you are with me still
In my heart, you live on
Always there never gone
Precious child, you left too soon
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart
In my plans, I was the
first to leave
Precious child, precious child
But in this world, I was left here to grieve
Precious child, my precious child
In my soul, there is a
hole
That can never be filled
But in my heart there is hope
And you are with me still
In my heart you live on
Always there, never gone
Precious child, you left too soon,
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart
God knows I want to hold
you,
See you, touch you
And maybe there's a heaven
And someday I will again
Please know you are not forgotten until then
In my heart you live on
Always there never gone
Precious child, you left too soon
Tho' it may be true that we're apart
You will live forever... in my heart