"Lord, thou knowest better
than I know myself that I am
growing older and
will someday be old.
Keep me from becoming loquacious,
and particularly from the fatal
habit of thinking I must say something
on every subject and every occasion.
Release me from the need to try to
straighten out everybody's affairs.
Make me thoughtful but not moody,
helpful but not bossy. With my vast
store of wisdom, it seems a pity not
to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord,
that I want a few friends at the end,
at least enough for pallbearers, with
a mourner or two. Do not let the editor
head my obit with the words 'Old Crab
Dies at Last; Everybody Glad.'
Keep my mind free from the recital
of endless details....
give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains.
They are increasing and my love of
rehearsing them is becoming sweeter
as the years go by.
I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy
the tales of others' pains, but help me
endure them with patience.
Teach me the glorious lesson that
occasionally I may be mistaken.
Give me the ability to see good things
in unexpected places and talents in
unexpected people.
Give me the grace to tell them so.
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want
to be a saint - some of them are so hard to
live with - but a sour old woman is one of
the crowning works of the devil."
Note: A friend gave me this, and I sincerely hope it goes from my mouth to God's ear. Mr. kenju would say it is already too late.
25 comments:
I hadn't noticed anybody growing older over here...
Both sweet and funny - gotta keep it in mind:)
That is the cutest thing I have read in forever! I'll have to save that somewhere I can refer to it when I need a smile.
What a great poem.
Michele sent me to say HI.
There are some good statements there.
Fabulous poem filled with wisdom.
Oh, I like this Judy. I have had these same thoughts... hoping to safe-guard against these repetitions that seem to walk hand-in-hand with advanced wisdom. ;)
Fun poem.
Can I have you mail it to my MIL, so that the postmark is untraceable?
~S
LOL, LOL...I like your little notation at the end Judy....And I am afraid many people I know would say it is definitely too late for me, too!...lol.
I am getting more and more crotchety by the day, I am sorry to say...As was said by many people...Old Age Ain't For Sissies!
Michele sent me over tonight to pray with you because though I'm 38 I am already feeling old, cranky & set in my ways!
I'm getting worried about who will come to my funeral. I don't really care, but I think it will be embarrassing for my kids if I've alienated everybody with my infinite wisdom.
What a nice poem to start the day with. So, I missed a lot here in your previous posts, catching up, love the picture of you and your blogger friend. And also the facts of life... so funny.
I need to print this off and secretly put it someplace my 87 year neighbor will find it. I know! On my property would be a good place to hide it that he would find it.
Judy I have this on the back of the upstairs loo door- as a constant reminder:)
"and at times, Oh Lord, could you keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand across my mouth..."
Loved the poem! Those are words to live by at any age!
Please note...this is not a poem, it is a prayer and the best thing I can say is Amen (so be it).
I have read this before and was struck by it but how easy it is to forget. Thank you for sharing it:)
Ah, yes, I should post this somewhere that I see everyday.
Words of wisdom.
I don't plan on ever being cranky...just crazy...
umm...like I am right now.
words of wisdom indeed! love it! ;)
How sweet! I actually have someone I need to give this to, if I can just come up with a tactful way to do it. Hee!!!
"Release me from the need to try to straighten out everybody's affairs."
This is my downfall, Judy. I always want to tell people I don't even know what they should do.
"You shouldn't say things like that to your child, Madam. If you tell him every single day what a bad boy he is, don't you think you are giving him a reputation to live up to?"
"Sir,your shoelaces are undone. Perhaps you should buy loafers or velcro shoes so you don't trip."
"Honey, that saying on your tee shirt is not very nice. Are you sure you want to wear that to the mall?"
Judy, why don't I just shut up?
Nancy, I don't know why we do it! Mr. kenju says I should have been a teacher so I could at least tell a classroom what to do all day, and maybe I wouldn't feel the need to tell everyone else.....LOL. I do try to curb those tendencies, but it is hard.
Kenju, that cracked me up. My grandma is one of those people that firmly believes that growing older entitles her to speak whatever thoughts come into her head...no matter what anyone else thinks. This just reminded me of her...and I thought it was cute! Thanks for sharing! :)
That is lovely....At 49, I really appreciate it :)
I'm laughing at your post note there. lol
This is lovely save for the fact that I'm apparently attached at the hip to the recital of endless details.
I guess I speak like I drive - always looking for the curvy and mysterious side road rather than the most direct route.
Woe is me!
I am printing this out. Taping it to my mirror (and my screen). My new serenity prayer.
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