What is That

Today I am thankful  for my Father of coarse, but also the many men who have made a big impact on my life. Many of them, including my dad,  I cannot thank today as they have gone on. I often wonder who led my Dad to Christ and the ones who influenced his life so much. I would like to remind the fathers out there the tremendous opportunity you have, but how fast time slips away, and you will never get that time back- use it wisely. And no matter what our past pages may be blotched with, our future pages are sitting unblemished as of  today.  I decided to post a letter called "See Me" below- although it may be told by a woman- I think men can relate. Happy Fathers  Day

I saved this clipping for years, from a Focus on the Family magazine, thinking I could use it in my ss class- This poem was found among the possessions of an elderly lady who died in the geriatric ward of a hospital. No information is available concerning her -- who she was or when she died. Its called  "See Me".

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?

Are you thinking, when you look at me --

A crabby old woman, not very wise

Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,

When you say in a loud voice -- "I do wish you'd try."

Who seems not to notice the things that you do,

And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,

Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.

Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse, you're looking at ME...

I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;

As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters, who love one another,

A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.

Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet;

A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;

At twenty-five now I have young of my own,

Who need me to build a secure, happy home;

A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last;

At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,

But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn;

At fifty once more babies play 'round my knee,

Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,

I look at the future, I shudder with dread,

For my young are all rearing young of their own,

And I think of the years and the love that I've known;

I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel --

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,

There is now a stone where once I had a heart,

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,

And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys, I remember the pain,

And I'm loving and living life over again,

I think of the years, all too few -- gone too fast,

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last --

So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,

Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses -- see ME!

Lately all my friends are worried that are turning into their fathers. I’m worried I’m not.