THE CHALLENGE OF AGING – GRATITUDE

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

IN RETROSPECT

I am sitting tonight in the glow of the grate and am counting the years that have gone,

And I’m thinking of how I have used up this time, and what I have given each one.

I have toiled to the top of the hill’s western slope, and I’m just looking backward to see

What I’ve done with the days and the years that were mine and all that has happened to me.

I’ve tasted of happiness, laughter and love, and all the things that are sweet;

Have worked through the valley of sorrow and woe, but have never admitted defeat;

I have stumbled and fallen – not once, but a score; have been criticized time and again;

I might have been rich, if I’d wanted the gold, in place of the friends I have made.

I’ve lived with my friends and I’ve shared in their joys, known sorrow with all of its tears;

I have harvested much from my acres of life, though some say I’ve wasted my years,

For much that is fine has been mine to enjoy, and I’ve tried to live to my best,

And I find no regret as the shadows grow long, for the gold that I might have possessed.

I have wiped away tears and have planted some smiles, have walked hand in hand with despair;

I have helped with the burden and lightened the load, too hard for my brother to bear;

And all through the years I have done just my best to banish the tear and the sigh;

I have lost out on wealth, and I’m sure of this truth, I’ve got some things money won’t buy.

And the joy of the work, the beauty of my bride, and the love of the books,

Shall make me content, as I wander along, so sure they’re mine to enjoy.

So the years may slip by, as they have in the past; I’ve no reason to change or amend,

For the path I have followed is filled with delight, and will always be mine to the end.

If this be success, then I’m surely content; if it’s failure, I make no amends,

But the boon that I crave, as the years roll along, is to live in the heart of my friends.

(SUNLIGHT AND SHADOWS, Leaves from the Scrap Book of M.W.Terrell, 7)