Not "How did he die?" ßut
"How did he live?"
Not "What did he gain?" ßut
"What did he give?"
Not "What was his station?"
ßut "Had he a heart?"
And "How did he play his God-given part?"
Not "What was his shrine?"
Nor "What was his Creed?"
But "Had he befriended those really ín need?"
Not "What did the piece in the
newspaper say?"
ßut "How many were sorry when he passed away?"
Was he ever ready with a
word or good cheer.
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
These are the Units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man,
regardless of birth
When my life has reached its very
end,
And I take that final breath;
I want to know I've left behind
Some "good" before my death.
I hope that in my final hour
In all honesty I can say;
That somewhere in my lifetime,
I have brightened someone's day.
That maybe I have brought a smile
To someone else's face...
And made one moment a little sweeter
While they dwelled here in this Þlace.
Lord, please be my reminder
And whisper softly in my ear,
To be a "giver", not a "taker",
In the years I have left here.
Give to me the strength I need
Open up my mind, my soul,
That I might show sincere compassion
And love to others before I go.
For if not a heart be touched by me,
And not a smile was left behind,
Then the life that I am blessed with
Will have been a waste of time.
With all my heart, I truly hope
To leave something here on earth...
That touched another, made them smile
And gave to my life, worth.
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