Beatitudes for friends
 of the aged

Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and palsied hand.

Blessed are they who know that my ears today
Must strain in to catch the things they say.

Blessed are they who seem to know
That my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.

Blessed are they who looked away
When coffee spilled at table today.

Blessed are they with a cheery smile
Who stop to chat a little while.

Blessed are they who never say
"You've told that story twice today".

Blessed are they who know the ways
To bring back memories of yesterdays.

Blessed are they who make it known
That I'm loved, respected and not alone

Blessed are they who know I'm at a loss
To find the strength to carry the Cross

Blessed are they who ease the days
On my journey Home in loving ways.

Esther Mary Walker

John James was kind enough
to share this poem with us and we,
  in turn, wanted to share it
 with all of you.

PRAYER FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Oh Lord, please grant me as I grow older, acceptance of that fact as preferable to complaint. Help me not to rail. against it, loudly lamenting the good old days. There are better ways to get attention.

As doors may close, others open. I may not leap but neither will I crawl. I can trudge along and "take time to smell the roses." Even the lowly dandelion is a cheerful. sign of another spring.

No longer do I punch a time clock nor count the minutes to lunch. For time has become a precious commodity for which there is no bargaining. It is a bonus to spend with care but not with fear, as it is given to me, so let me share it with others as I can; so it becomes doubled in return.