A Precious Old Man

Friends, the mission of Discovering A BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES is to encourage and empower people who are seeking a deeper meaning for their troubled life, or for those who are already believers in Jesus Christ, to recognize, experience, and celebrate their oneness with all others who know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, regardless of denomination, church fellowship, or historic tradition.

Today’s Message of Encouragement from

https://abl-alb.wixsite.com/discoverabetterlife/about

(Stories of: Real People, Real Events, Real Places)

And are dedicated to HELPING

PEOPLE FIND PEACE and HOPE

Through entering a personal

Relationship with Jesus Christ,

Who has declared,

“In this world, you will have trouble,

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 16:33)

(John 10:10; 14:6; Acts 2:36-47)

A Precious Old Man!

Friends, when an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content impressed the staff so much that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and in magazines for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple but eloquent poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man!

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?

What are you thinking... when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man. . . . not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food... and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice. .'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice... the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or a shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?.. Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse. You're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding,... as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten. With a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen... with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.

Remembering the vows.. that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.

Who needs me to guide... And a secure, happy home.

A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My youth has now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons... have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me... to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more,.... Babies play around my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and I.

Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing... young of their own.

And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man... and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age . . . . .... look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone... where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass. A young man still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . . .... life over again.

I think of the years, all too few... gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact... that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.

Not a cranky old man.

Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person whom you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too!

"The best and most beautiful things in this world can't be seen or touched. They must be felt by the heart!"

“Every act of kindness is

An expression of love, and

Everyone deserves to be loved.”

(Richard Carlson, Ph.D.)

Friend, if you would like some encouragement as to how to get the most out of your senior years, we would be pleased to send you a small booklet titled:

“I’m getting Old.”

This booklet won’t cost you anything. Simply write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE, Apartment 49/2, Plantation Street, Menora, Western Australia 6050

If you prefer, you may email your request to: abl-alb@omninet.net.au