Old Age Requires A Special Courage Poem by Shalom Freedman

OLD AGE REQUIRES A SPECIAL COURAGE

Old Age requires a special courage
Not to let oneself get too down
Not to let the ailments turn one into hating and cursing life
Not to let the losses lead to total despair
To everyday - day by day make the struggle
To put on a happier face when necessary
To think of the others -the family the friends
And not discourage them
To maintain a sense of humor
To know how to still sing in one's soul
To think and to give to others
So far and beyond what one strength allows
To not give up - not only in action but in heart
To do the best one can with what one has
And to always think of and care for the other
To not lose oneself only in oneself
To go on giving as much as one can
All the way as close to the end as possible
To meet each setback with whatever correction possible To take pleasure in whatever pleasure however small life gives
To feel still a certain joy in just being alive
And able to see hear feel whatever one can
To appreciate and have gratitude whatever good is still given
To have still hope God will somehow make a new life
For all those already gone and for oneself also.