When you are seventy
or eighty or so,
please remember
to bathe.
Appreciate the ones
who give, instead
of what you gave.

Listen to the voice
of youth, and learn
about their world.
Refrain from mentioning
the “perfect life”
back when you
were a girl.

Go outside and take a walk
and exercise your mind.
Don’t allow your days
and months, to
slowly lag behind.

Love your children
and bite your tongue
when they do things
a different way.
Realize that times
have changed
as your hair is changing
to gray.

Stay on top
and think young thoughts
and for sure your life
will be better.
The only problem
you might foresee
is forgetting
where
you put
this letter.

Janet Brice Parker