Do You Remember?

Daughter Aris and I

When you tuck your children in at night.

 Remember they are wealth beyond measure.

    No man on his dying bed ever said. "I wish I had

 worked more. Spent more time at the office. 

Made more money. Or stole from my friends."

    What they say is "I am sorry. Sorry for the

 weakness that drove my selfish life." Is their

 anything they wouldn't give for another day

, another minute, with those they have neglected?

So take the gifts that you have earned

then turn out surcease from despair

To reap the pearls others have learned

echoing childhood calls "be fair"

With pride deposed and passions slain

we hope, aspire and then on trust

Beneath vaulted skies we attain

to master life before we're dust

 

Author's Note

As a man I can say from a lifetime of experience. Nothing humbles you like a child. Consider the lives around you first. Always think of your own comforts last. This is the wisdom of the ages. The key to happiness and being remembered fondly by all.

Reviews

[mou]

I wonder how much weight is felt on a deathbed when the realization hit hard.
Especially this line has spoken to me for a long even after the read---

'...To reap the pearls others have learned
echoing childhood calls "be fair"...'

The poem is beautiful! I'm reading your words after a long, TM as I took a break from wc. That old magic is felt once again. Thank you
-mou

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I think about this more often now that I have a few more days ahead than I did behind

[Ken e Bujold]

Lovely poem Ted. Reminder to us all, that from regret wisdom emerges, if we are open to admitting our failings.

ken

[Tate Morgan]

We certainly all have them. They are the very thing that leads to wisdom. I thank you for that comment.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly wisdom comes with age. You are right, on our death beds it will be the relationships we have had with our loved ones which will count. Nothing else is of significance. We can’t take our money with us. Children are the future. They certainly are our everything. Nothing better than investing time with them. Had a holiday recently with two of my grandchildren and a great grandchild. Now that was precious, the time spent with them making memories. A delight to read you again Tate. All good wishes.

Chris

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Kris . Thank you the older I get the more I want to act like a child.

[Chris Shaw]

So right. No cares or worries. A simple life:) Not easy being an adult. All that responsibility:)

[Tate Morgan]

I was drugged into adulthood, kicking, and screaming. I’ll be drug into the grave the same way. You have to take the child along with you. Life is no fun as an adult.

[Chris Shaw]

Let that inner child out:)

[Tate Morgan]

Yeah I will