I rarely quote from the Bible
Preferring instead to follow my own star
Without meddling from the distant past
Unsure of the source or the meaning
of words used so long ago.
Still, I know there is a time for each of us
And a place
When we will take our final breath
and our hearts will beat one last time.
I want mine to be a moment of serenity
of peace and quiet and certainty
Neither a victory nor a revelation
Just a feeling of comfort
Knowing that I changed very little
Needing no credit for gains
and no serious blame for losses.
I want to possess only a state of mind
Knowing my choices
Sometimes hurt others
but never cut too deep.
That I had more than one friend
And no enemies of my making;
That I died with as much grace
As I could find;
And that my final resting place
Will be with those who
Left this world with nothing
but their honor intact.
I've never subscribed to the "whoever dies with the most toys wins" mentality. Like you, I just want to pass peacefully grateful for the knowledge that I am leaving my small part of the world better off than when I arrived and that I both loved wholeheartedly and was loved wholeheartedly in return.
What a beautiful piece of wordsmithing that laid bare one man's emotions and intellect regarding the continuance of his meaning to people of conscience and compassion. I intend on copying this, putting it on my bathroom mirror and let it remind me of my aspiration to go out in a similar fashion. Just plain beautiful, Ed.
Poetry. Various urgent, lively, and sometimes haunting poems appear here alongside stark black and white photos of Jones' homeless subjects. Jones takes on the plight of the homeless in different voices, echoing the thoughts of people on the streets,
Intuitively, I know I've lived many lifetimes, and none more interesting than the one I'm living now. However, being born an old soul somehow did not excuse me from the same job I share with you and that is learning to craft a positive attitude about
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Rebecca
PS
Honor is too highfalutin a word for me, but I will go with the dignity that I have no regrets.
Ron
but their honor intact."
Indeed a great achievement, to die with honor, in this day and world filled with perfidy, deceit, and lies.
A remarkable self-assessment. Ditto all that Odin said.