This is a song about a little girl, my daughter named Lily Katherine, who never took a breath in this world, yet her life has changed mine forever. In August 2009, I was 19 and unmarried, when I scheduled an appointment at Planned Parenthood to abort her early in my pregnancy. By God’s grace and intervention, I didn’t walk through those clinic doors. I chose life for Lily and through her life, God has brought beauty out of the ashes of my sin and brokenness.
This song captures Lily’s life and legacy and my mother heart of love for her. It is written from my perspective. A dear friend of mine surprised me with this song as a gift for Lily’s 4th birthday this past March. I will never regret my choice of life and thank God every day for the gift of my daughter and how she changed everything.
“Sweet Lily”
Lyrics and music by Heather Cofer: Inspired by the story of Hannah Rose and her daughter Lily Katherine
I remember the first time I heard your heart beat
And started feeling kicks from your precious little feet
I knew that your life was a gift from the Lord
One that was to be cherished and adored
How close I had come to that fatal mistake
But I knew that your life was not mine to take
Through the turmoil and questions
broke God’s gentle voice,
“Will you entrust me with this child, with this choice?”
Sweet Lily, my girl, I love you
So pure and so innocent,
kept from this world
Through laughter and tears
I will not forget
Sweet Lily, my beautiful girl
As you grew within me, my life was transformed
God’s Spirit renewed, washed clean, and restored
Where once there was emptiness, now joy overflowed
I watched in great wonder His pattern unfold.
Then came the day you were to arrive
anticipation, nervousness building inside
Then time seemed to cease, those words filled me with dread
“I’m so sorry, she’s no longer with us,” they said
You entered this world so peaceful, so still
so perfectly formed, so beautifully real
I kissed you, cuddled you, held you so near
A lifetime of moments, so short, yet so dear
My girl, through your life God worked His design
He used your existence to alter mine
And though it’s so painful you’re not here with me
I’ll treasure your life, mother your legacy
Lily Katherine, my beautiful girl…
You can read more about Lily’s life and legacy at www.roseandherlily.com
LifeNews Note: Hannah Rose Allen is a Christian young woman passionate about the pro-life message. Through her own experience with unplanned pregnancy, abortion and the loss of a child, Hannah Rose has become a pro-life advocate dedicated to ministering the love of Jesus to others. She tells her unique and compelling story on her website, roseandherlily.com, and at banquets and pro-life events, churches, and college campuses. Hannah Rose resides with her family in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she volunteers at her local Pregnancy Resource Center and works as a nanny.
