THE BUTTERFLY

We can learn so much from nature...

from the sand

the sea

the sky...

Every organism can be our teacher

Take, perchance, the butterfly.

True, they are fragile creatures...

their wings are delicate and thin...

but they add color to the universe

and they can ride upon the wind.

Butterflies share the flowers.

All are rich,

no one is poor,

and you never see a butterfly with a weapon

or marching off to war.

They live a life that’s innocent and free,

they cause no pain or grief

For they know their time is precious...

their moment on Earth is brief.

Perhaps if we listened to their teachings

and their lessons we’d apply

Then we would live in peace and beauty

just like the butterfly.

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN OPTIMIST

How does one deal with an optimist…

who sees the good in everything!

Who, when caught out in the rain,

instead of swearing….sings!

How does one deal with an optimist

who, after losing all his hair,

says, think of all the money I’ll save

not sitting in a barber’s chair.

Who after being told he’ll never run again

smiles after taking stock

then says…”Think of all the wonders I’ll see

when I slow down…when I walk.”

Who at the funeral of a friend

is smiling while the rest of us are sad…

“I was just remembering,” he says

“all the good times that we had.”

How does one tell an optimist,

when life’s handed you lemons and your nerves are frayed,

that no matter how much sugar she adds…

you can’t stand lemonade?

Well, I have found the answer to dealing with an optimist,

although half of you I’m sure will find this solution a dumb one,

For the best way to deal with an optimist

heaven help me…is to become one.

Aging to perfection

She crawled into my lap…We were sharing the same space

when she rubbed her tiny fingers across the wrinkles on my face.

“Why do people grow old?” she asked. 

“Will I ever be as old as you?”

She put her little hand in mine…

“Will I have wrinkles too?”

Growing old is a gift, I said…I wouldn’t be too concerned,

for every day you grow a little older…

is a chance to live…

to love… 

to learn.

Our world is filled with many miracles…some are big and some are small

With so many miracles out there…we need time to see them all.

That tree you love to climb out back is as old as it is long.

If it wasn’t old you couldn’t climb it…

because it’s branches wouldn’t be strong.

And the bark you love to feel…means it’s growing old gracefully

for the bark is nothing more…than the wrinkles of the tree.

As you grow older don’t be afraid of wrinkles…

Be glad you’ve acquired some,

for wrinkles only go to show

how wise you have become.

Don’t ever worry about growing old, I said…

Grow old with some affection.

And don’t think of it as growing old…

think of it as aging to perfection.

WHEN YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER ASKS YOU TO DANCE

I had a wonderful moment yesterday…it was the perfect circumstance…

when my granddaughter said, “Hey PopPop…how’d you like to dance?”

I hesitated but she persisted…“It’s easy…you will see

we pick a song and you follow the moves from the video on TV.”

I’ve never been known for my rhythm…but I kind of remembered the song

so I put my inhibitions aside and tried to dance along.

My arms began to flail…I had the rhythm of a stone…

I tried to dance to the music but my feet had a mind of their own.

Eventually I didn’t care if I was nimble or light as a feather.

What was more important than the dance…was that we were dancing together.

And for a moment, just a moment…in my mind we were the perfect pair…

She was a young Ginger Rogers…and I was Fred Astaire.

An hour later my legs were sore,…I hadn’t danced like that since I was ten…

But I know for certain if she asked me tomorrow…I‘d dance with her again.

Grandparents if you want to make a memory…I suggest you take a chance

to trip the light fantastic…when your granddaughter asks you to dance.

WHEN YOU SEE YOUR CHILD SLEEPING

When you see your child sleeping

it makes you stop and smile.

It’s as if you’ve discovered pure innocence…

and you want to linger there awhile.

He sleeps in peace and wonder

all her energy…confined.

Any anxieties and troubles from the day

in sleep…are left behind.

When you see your child sleeping

so natural, so tender and so free

You wonder what tomorrow will bring…

what he or she will be.

Will he be the one who cures cancer?

Is she the one the world is looking for?

Will he help end world hunger?

Will she bring a stop to war?

Will she find peace and joy?

Will he have many friends?

Will she be healthy? Will he be wise?

Will they be happy in the end?

But those are questions for tomorrow…

questions that can keep…

Tonight you’re happy you had the chance…

just to watch them sleep.

Happy they are unharmed…unhurt

and safe within your keeping…

Happy you were blessed this moment…

to see your child sleeping.

SYNCHRONICITY...THE FINAL CHAPTER

I found a sign in the middle of the road

and, for a moment, I was bewitched.

I saw it as synchronicity…

a sign that I’d be rich.

And it’s true I did find 20 dollars

sitting on the ground…

but it made me pause a moment…

to stop and look around.

It seems my life is filled with love.

I get to spend it every day…

on my wife, my children, my grandchildren…

and friends I meet along the way.

And it’s true, finding 20 dollars

did give me a thrill…

but love will last forever…

unlike a 20 dollar bill.

And I know it does sound so corny

and you may think I am a clown…

But I already consider myself

the richest man in town.

So this morning I took that 20 dollars

and put it back unceremoniously…

Hopefully someone will find it…

who needs it more than me.

WHO I WANTED TO BE...

When I was young I had big plans…I knew eventually

what I wanted to do with my life…and who I wanted to be.

I wanted to be a baseball star…the envy of the nation…

until I realized to be one…takes good eye-hand coordination.

Then I wanted to be a football star…have my name emblazoned on my shirt…

until I realized I was much too small…and all that tackling hurt!

Next I wanted to be an astronaut…and soar up among the stars…

until I realized my tummy ached…just riding in the car.

Then I wanted to be President…in charge of all the masses…

until I realized somedays…I can’t even find my glasses.

Eventually a teacher, husband, father and grandfather

is what I came to be…

and I often wonder if I chose them…

or if they have chosen me.

Yes, when I was young I had big plans

but I didn’t know…eventually

who I am in my life

is who I’d want to be.