MOMENTS TO REMEMBER
| I wrote of my friend in a poem Titled 'Thoughts of an Older Man' I was entranced by his clearness of memory And the many years it could span Though I was still in my early 'teens' He could put me under his spell For the words he spoke were wisdom He had learned to live life well He lived in the 'old folk's' nursing home And I knew that he suffered some pain But his mind was alive and full of 'life' Never once did I hear him complain I asked him what he regretted Of the things he'd like to forget ìI've lived just eighty years" He said ìI've found no time for that yet" ìI'll give you a lesson for old age It's a lesson you shouldn't forget. If you dwell on the things you missed out on You'll be filling your heart with regret.î ìI talk to some of the old folk here And I find it very sad That so many seem to concentrate On joys that they've never had.î ìThey regret the many countries Where they have never been And the sights within those countries That they have never seen.î ìThey resent the things they didn't do And the things they couldn't afford Like that special car they wanted And the house that they adored.î "Don't chase life's illusions With a greed for expensive things With love and contentment in your heart You've wealth beyond that of kings." ìDon't ignore the many moments That gave you so much fun Don't concentrate on all the things You wish that you had done.î "For if you lived a thousand years You'd find my words are true You still could find resentment For the things you didn't do." ìWhile the brain goes round in circles Regretting so much from the past It overlooks the moments That made memories that will last.î "Be positive with your thinking And soon your heart will find The vault of happy memories That waits to fill your mind." ìThe first time that I fell in love The emotion that I felt The warmth so overwhelming That I feared my heart would melt.î ìThe children I was blessed with The greatest joy of all And the happy moments that we shared Are memories to recall.î ìTo watch the wonder in their eyes With each new sight they'd see These moments last forever They're in the heart of me.î ìI can still remember trembling Though I tried to act so cool As I held their tiny hand in mine For their first day in school.î ìThese are moments that I cherish They can almost make me cry These are memories that are treasure That money just can't buy.î ìThe childhood friends you played with The faithful dog you had These memories are all priceless How on earth can you feel bad?î ìAs for money that you've never had If you've enjoyed good health That's by far a greater treasure Than any man-made wealth.î ìTo visit distant countries Is a dream that we hold grand But we've lots of sights and wonders Right here in our homeland.î ìWe've sights that fill the senses With beauties great and small We can view them for a lifetime And we still won't see them all.î ëDon't dwell on things you didn't have Or things you didn't do Think of all the wondrous pleasures This life has given you.î "Have you walked with Mother Nature Her wonders to behold? These memories deep within you Far outweigh the worth of gold." "Have you never walked in moonlight On a beach of silver sand? Did you feel your nerve ends tremble As you held a lover's hand?" "Have you never viewed a sunrise With it's colours so supreme? Or a sunset of such beauty It would fill an artist's dream?" ìI'm impatient with some old folk Who wail with grief and tears They should recall the good times Before life disappears.î ìThey curse this thing we call 'old age' They wear it like a scar They should pause awhile to be thankful There's many won't make it this far." ìWe'd all like to live forever But this life is just God's to give Be thankful for all of your blessings Be thankful for each day you live.î "And if you don't believe in God Here's a thought that you should keep You'll find little joy and laughter In a never ending sleep." "So grasp each day with eagerness And push all regret behind Let the memories of love and happiness Chase the dark clouds from your mind." "Then you'll find that life's worth living Even though you're growing old These extra days are a gift from God They're yours to have and hold." "Some folk here are still healthy But regret has filled them with dread They're no longer a part of the living They're alive, but they're walking 'round dead." "We've all had disappointments in life But why wring your hands and sigh? I still look forward to every day And I'll 'live' each hour 'til I die." ìNext time you feel despondent Put your memories on parade Live again those happy moments And the friendships that you've made.î "I found a truth very early in life From that truth I will never depart I found it's the simple pleasures in life That give most warmth to the heart." ìSearch within your memory And soon your heart will smile With the many things that touched you And made this life worthwhile.î ìThe happy moments that I've had Still echo through the years They fill my heart with gladness And banish thoughts of tears.î "If you wrap your thoughts in sorrow For the things you didn't do You will block out all the pleasures That this life has given you." ìAnd if you can't find some memories That will ease the 'old age' pain Then you've lived a life that's empty And you've lived your life in vain. K.D. Abbott © 2008 |
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