Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Crabby Old Man.

Post 693 ~ ~ Wednesday 21st July, 2010.

Hello everyone, it's nice to be back with you all again.
The best news for me today has been a phone call from my brother
Peter letting me know he survived the eye operation yesterday and is
not in too much discomfort. It is always a relief to know that loved
ones are OK. I hope you all are doing well and enjoying your lives.
I am much better myself, thankfully, though I am sure i wouldn't run
a very fast race. Or even run at all, small slow steps - that's me.

First item tonight was sent to me by my good friend, Patty. Thank
you very much my friend. It is called "Crabby Old Man." I have seen
this before many years ago when an Aunt was in a nursing home.
It was Crabby Old Woman there and I copied it down.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North
Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing of value left.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions
they found this poem. It's quality and content so impressed the staff
that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.





And this little old man, with nothing left to give the world, is now the author of this
'anonymous' poem winging it's way across the internet.


What do you see nurses? . . . . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . . . .when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . . . . . . . . . not very wise,
Uncertain of habit . . . . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his 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 sock or a shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . .Lets you do as 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 not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . . . . . . As I sit here so still,
As I do 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 boy of Sixteen . . . . . . .with wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . .. . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom 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 guide . . . . . . And a happy secure home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . . . . . . .My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . . .with ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . . . have grown and are gone,
But my wonan's beside me. .. to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more babies . . .play around my knee.
Again, we know children . . . . my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . .my wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . . . 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 now an old man . . . . . . . and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . . grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . a young man 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 open your eyes, people . . . . . . open and see.
Not a crabby old man . . . .Look closer . . . .see ME.

That was lovely wasn't it. I'll continue when the tears dry up.
<><><>

Next a joke sent by my son Geoff, about Lawyers. Thanks Geoff.

A Mafia Godfather finds out his bookkeeper, Enzo, has cheated him out of
10 million bucks. His bookkeeper is deaf.

That was the reason he got the job in the first place. It was assumed that
Enzo would hear nothing that he might have to testify about in court.
When the Godfather goes to confront Enzo about his missing $0 million,
he takes along his lawyer who knows sign language.

The Godfather tells the lawyer, "Ask him where the
$10 million bucks is
that he embezzled from me." The lawyer using sign language. asks Enzo
where the money is..
Enzo signs back, "I don't know what you are talking about."

The lawyer tells the Godfather, "He says he doesn't know what you are
talking about."

The Godfather pulls out a pistol, puts it to Enzo's temple and says, "Ask him
again."
The lawyer signs to Enzo, "He'll kill you if you don't tell him."

Enzo signs back, "OK. Tou win. The money is in a brown briefcase, buried
behind the shed in my cousin Bruno's backyard in Woodbridge."

The Godfather asks the lawyer, "What did he say?"

The lawyer replies, "He says you don't have the balls to pull the trigger . ."
<><>

A quick one from my friend Gina in Melbourne. Thank you.

Julia Gillard was refused entry to a Canberra McDonalds today.

The manager told her to piss off.

He said they already have a red-headed clown.
<><>

One from my Canberra friend Linda L. Thank you my friend.

To realize the value of a sister/brother - - -Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of ten years --- Ask a newly divorced couple.

To realize the value of four years -- Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year --ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months --Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month -- ask the mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one week --ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute --ask a person who has missed a train, bus
or plane.

To realize the value of one second --ask a person who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no oe.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member - - LOSE ONE.

Hold on tight to the ones you love.

Peace, love and prosperity to all.
<><>

Last one tonight is from Mountain Wings.

Drink, Steal Swear and Lie.

I met this guy in Albuquerque, and he has a motto he
lives by every day.
He said, "Listen carefully and live by these four rules : Drink, Steal,Swear and Lie.

I was shaking my head No. But then he told me to listen while he explained
his four rules. So here they are:

1. Drink from the everlasting cup every day.

2. Steal a moment to help someone who is in worse shape than you.

3. Swear that you will be a better person today than yesterday.

4. And last, but not least, when you lie down at night, thank God you live in
America and have freedom.

I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good as I could be but THANK GOD
I am better than I used to be.

Author Unknown.
<><>

That is it for tonight, my friends. Take good care of yourselves and enjoy your
daily lives. Love and Best Wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 693 ~ ~ ~ Wednesday, 21st July, 2010.
<><><>


12 comments:

Lady Di Tn said...

I have seen the poem before but it is always a good one to read again. The lawyer one I hope I can remember to share with the girls at our monthly luncheon. Might need to write it down. LOL
I hope to put in practice, Drink Steal and Swear. Peace

Winifred said...

Thanks Merle always makes me smile reading your blog. Glad your brother has come through his operation OK.

x

Beth E. said...

Hi, Merle...
I really like that poem. It reminds me of my dear aunt. She was in a nursing home during the end stages of Alzheimer's. She was precious to me and my family, so it was hard to see her in a facility.

We can only pray that we will be treated with dignity and respect when we depend on others for our care!

How are you feeling? Praying all is going well for you. We have had a miserably hot, muggy summer...I'm already looking forward to cooler temperatures!

Love,
Beth

Peter said...

Hi Merle, how are you? I are well.

Big Dave T said...

Good stuff, Merle. I liked the poem, very touching. And glad to see Peter is on the mend. Per your suggestion, I bought some Joint Flex for my wife's knee. She's using it regularly and it's bringing some relief, but she'd still probably lose out to you in a footrace of any kind.

Margaret Cloud said...

Tell your son Peter, I am wishing him well, and you are right about loved ones. I am always glad to hear you are doing well. I liked the Crabby Old Man, I think younger people think us older folks have trouble remembering how grand things use to be and they still are for us. Boy, talk about a crooked lawyer, I have always enjoyed the Godfather movies. I enjoyed your post, I missed coming by, but, now I hope I stay back. Thank you for coming by, have a nice weekend.

linda may said...

G'Day my old mate in mexico. That first one sure tugs at the heart strings. Especially as you know I worked in such a place for many years and saw lots of sad things there.
Love the macca's one, hahahaha.

Puss-in-Boots said...

That poem is lovely and is exactly what we were talking about yesterday during coffee after my yoga class. The fact that the elderly are people, not just someone who's a nuisance.

As for Julia Gillard in Macca's...that's a good one.

Glad to hear all is well with you, Merle and that Peter survived the eye op. Did he have another pterygium removed or was it a cataract? I have those and will need them removed eventually.

Anyway, must go and carrying on reading. Keep well.

Hugs.

Joy Des Jardins said...

Merle, that poem by the little old man is absolutely wonderful...it brought tears to my eyes too. I haven't seen it before...thanks for posting it.

I'm sorry you're still having problems with your legs...actually, mine have been achy too. I did get one of those creams you mentioned. I've only used it once, but I'm going to use it more. Take care sweetie...hope your legs feel a lot better very soon. Love, Joy

Anonymous said...

А! Terima kasih atas informasi yang besar! Saya tidak akan menemukan ini dinyatakan!

Anonymous said...

I'm really Glad i came across this blog.Added merle-3rdtimelucky.blogspot.com to my bookmark!

Anonymous said...

Hi I am from chester..UK.
I have added this blog by Merle to my bookmarks.A joy to read.

Many Thanks Dave.x