Wednesday, November 7

On Growing Older

"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:

Anonymous said...

I hadn't noticed anybody growing older over here...

JeanMac said...

Both sweet and funny - gotta keep it in mind:)

Evil Twin's Wife said...

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.

Caroline said...

What a great poem.

Michele sent me to say HI.

Beverly said...

There are some good statements there.

Suzz said...

Fabulous poem filled with wisdom.

Anonymous said...

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

OldLady Of The Hills said...

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!

Anonymous said...

Michele sent me over tonight to pray with you because though I'm 38 I am already feeling old, cranky & set in my ways!

Travelin'Oma said...

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.

Cris said...

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.

Eddie said...

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.

Pat said...

Judy I have this on the back of the upstairs loo door- as a constant reminder:)

Anonymous said...

"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!

Changes in the wind said...

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:)

Tabor said...

Ah, yes, I should post this somewhere that I see everyday.

Blonde Goddess said...

Words of wisdom.
I don't plan on ever being cranky...just crazy...
umm...like I am right now.

ribbiticus said...

words of wisdom indeed! love it! ;)

Anonymous said...

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!!!

Anonymous said...

"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?

kenju said...

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.

Jennifer said...

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! :)

Constance said...

That is lovely....At 49, I really appreciate it :)

Weary Hag said...

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!

AC said...

I am printing this out. Taping it to my mirror (and my screen). My new serenity prayer.