Old Age

On sunday when I went to the nursing home to sing, I had the wonderful experience of meeting a woman who was 106 1/2 years old!!!! I think the only reason she was in the nursing home is because no one in her family wanted to make sure she was ok, or let her live with them. She was so healthy and could easily live for a few more years! It made me very happy to bring a little bit of joy into these wonderful peoples lives. They are so lonely most of the time, just sitting in their rooms watching TV or playing bingo with other old people. I found this poem about old age.

Margaret E. Sangster (1838-1912)

When I am Old --

When I am old and drenched in worlds of sadness,
And wear a lacy cap upon my head;
When, looking past the future's singing gladness,
I linger, wistful, in the years long dead.

When I am old, and young folk all about me,
Speak softly of religion, when they speak,

When parties are a grand success without me;
And when my laugh is fluttering and weak --

Will I then be content to raise my glances,

Serenely to the cloud-entangled sky?

And will I be content to watch at dances,

Without a heartbreak, as the hours pass by?

Or when I see young lovers' fingers twine,

remember, dear, your lips on mine?

I just want to be able to look back on my life when I am old (maybe not 106) and be able to remember all the good times I have had as a young whipper snapper!!! Life live folks! :)

14Will