daveinspain Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Someone posted this on facebook and it made me think of my mother who will be 88 on January 4th. She is living in assisted living now. I may even bring a copy to post up at her residence. I will be going to Boston for a visit next week... I'll be there for New Years and my mother's birthday. I wont be home for Christmas when we all think of family and our loved ones the most but at least I will be there to bring in the new year and celebrate her birthday... Remember the elderly were once young and just like you and me... They tend to get ignored and passed over in family events, restaurants, in public...etc. We will all get there some day so be kind, strike up a conversation, remember some past events spent together. They don't have that much to look forward to but they all have a rich and wonderful past... 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 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 need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home. A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young 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 'round my knee, Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me. 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!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aster1 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Thanks for posting this. I've seen it several times, and is ALWAYS a good read & reminder. Always brings a tear to my eyes too! My mind is till 19-20 in what I "think" I can do, but the injuries & wear/tear say better side of 60. It will happen to all of us unless taken before that fate. It is good to remember and take the time to say hello & connect with one of these treasures that we encounter during the day. They paved the future for us and, whether you like it or not, made things to where we were free & safe till the young ones (my age group) started to leave the watch. This one of the two biggest reasons I like to take long Bike trips thru small towns. To visit with some of the MOST FASCINATING men & women I've ever met (less my departed two wonderful parents & aunts/uncles/grandparents. The scenery on the trip is great, but that's just the icing on the cake. Connecting with older folks of the "Great Generation", and their stories & what they've seen/done, is what makes my heart soar!! Merry Christmas to All & God Bless!!! Aster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I like that. I've seen it before, but still read it whenever it shows-up. I play numermous retirement centers. I see much of what the poem is addressing. "Food for thought." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Heck, I'm just a cranky old man. <chortle> m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Never seen it before. Thanks for posting. Very good message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Great, now I'm depressed and I ain't even 40 yet! Geriatrics are my favorite patients. They have great stories. I once took care of an astrophysicist. He said as a child he grew up on a cotton farm and he earned ten cents for a day's work his first day pickin'. He wasn't nine yet. White guy, it was his parent's farm. There he was, sick and old and a mind so bright I couldn't wrap my brain around the stuff he was reading. I never condecend unless they've lost their marbles completely. Then I pretend they're in daycare (so do they, come to think of it). There are many cool stories for each old folk willing to or able to share. I always stick 'round for them if I got time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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