Friends of Old

No matter where we make our way
or where our paths may lead ...
we cannot go too far astray
if to our pasts we heed.

Like anchors in a wind-tossed sea
can keep a fleet well-berthed,
our friends of old can often be
a steady rock unearthed.

For they recall from whence we came
and how we started out.
Although we've grown - we're not the same -
they know what we're about.

We can't go forward, 'less we know
how first we got our start.
Our rear-view mirror serves to show
a small glimpse of our heart.

We need to see them, now and then
to understand how much
we've grown and changed since that time when
we started to lose touch.

And if the change considered good,
we can go forward more.
But if it's not, we really should
reflect on what's in store.

Our friends of old are pathways to
our futures and our past.
Be careful what you say and do
and hope those friendships last.

We do not tread this path alone
but rather follow trails
left by those who've gone before
past hardships and travails.

The ground was trodden underfoot
where we believed that we
discovered new and wondrous things
or were the first to see ...

some modern and efficient way
to live the life we lead.
Heedless of experience -
the where-with-all we need

to get to where we can detect
each subtle, new-found truth.
We must be first instructed by
the mentors of our youth.

'Tis they who charted paths we trod
to where we are today.
And taught us how to understand
those truths along the way.

Yes, we'll forge ahead some more.
The paths will longer grow.
But without those who've gone before
that progress would be slow.

So lest we crow about our feats
and think ourselves so wise,
let's honour those who taught us well
and opened up our eyes.

"Life goes on", I heard them say
and it is often true.
But friends you meet along the way
have great effect on you.

You cannot keep them all around
and sometimes we lose touch.
Old friends gone and new friends found.
We owe them all so much.

Everyone's a witness to
the lives that we have known.
You've taught me and I've taught you.
Together we have grown.

And so do all, who cross our path,
leave footprints on our lives.
With joyful cries or howls of wrath
a tiny bit survives ...

to stay with us forever more
and rest within our soul.
They touch us and become therefore
a small part of our whole.

And when it comes that they must leave
Wherever they must go,
Remember this, although you'll grieve,
there's one thing you should know.

A little bit of them is still
lodged deep within your heart
and as you go through life you will
to other friends impart ...

some little piece of what you've learned,
from your dear absent friend,
and by that act their love's returned
to those who you'll extend.

They do not leave, once they have crossed
our paths or shared our days.
Absent friends are never lost.
They stay with us always.

His father lay dying.
The son came to sit
and spend as much time as
his health would permit.

He looked at the old man
asleep in his bed
And thought of the stories
his father had read.

And as he considered
some fable or yarn,
the old man awoke and
reached out for his arm.

"You're lost in reflection ...
What thoughts would you share?
Son, tell what you're thinking.
Be frank as you dare."

"I'm thinking of stories
I heard as a child.
And how once you told them
and how they beguiled
me into believing
that they were just tales.
They truly were lessons
of what life entails."

The old man just nodded
and said with a smile
"I'm proud you can fathom
and think them worthwhile.
I've done all I can do
and now it's your turn
to read me a story
and show what you've learned"

"So read me a story -
of magic and lore
that tells you keep dreaming
and keep reaching for ...

the stars in the heavens -
for if you can dream,
life won't be the burden
it sometimes can seem."

"Then read me another
of princes and thieves
where good conquers evil
and virtue achieves
an undying greatness
that sets you apart.
It fills you with courage
and lifts up your heart."

"And then there's the one where
the damsel is saved,
where dragons are beaten
and perils are braved.
It tells you that true love
can help you to win
the most daunting challenge
you find yourself in."

"And then when you're finished
I want you to vow
to put those ideals
into practice somehow
For though I can ponder
their values today,
those lessons meant nothing
to me on the way."

"I would have done better,
it pains me to state,
had I heeded those lessons
but now it's too late."

And with that the old man
sank back in his bed.
He let out his last breath
and stared straight ahead.

"Those lessons weren't wasted.
I wish you could see.
By reading those stories
you passed them to me."

It seems that from the time we are born that life is an uphill struggle.
The moment one challenge is achieved, another more difficult one arises.
The challenges that are the most satisfying to overcome however,
are the ones that we put in front of ourselves. By creating our own challenges,
we take control of our lives and determine the direction we travel.
It's never too late to dare.

Life can inure you to that which is going on around you,
to the point where we can lose touch with the people around us.
It is easy to forget the importance of personal contact in an age where machines
do everything for you. It's more important to remember then that a kind word
or some encouragement can make the world of difference in someone's life.
It's never too late to feel.

After years of struggling, it's tempting to believe that you have arrived at the
pinnacle of knowledge. Know that the moment you feel that you have arrived,
is the moment you discover that you didn't set your goals high enough.
For even as the child can teach a parent or the student a teacher, life can always
find one more invaluable lesson for you - to make you a better person
It's never too late to learn.

We live our lives in the constant presence of people. They help to shape and
define our world and are the yardsticks by which we measure our growth.
How wonderful it is when those around you are elevated by your presence.
More perfect when they in turn help you achieve a higher level of self-awareness
and fulfilment. One hand cannot wash another without itself getting cleaner.
It's never too late to share.

After all is said and done, you are measured not so much by what you have,
but by what you've done. You are remembered, though, by the lives you touched.
A small part of you lives on in the hearts of those you have loved along the way.
In their actions, tempered by your example, you go on to affect the lives of those
yet unborn and in this way the world becomes a better place to live for everyone.
It's never too late to love.

But how, at this time of life can you change the path you have already started?
There are many things that you would undo if only you could.
Know that every action in your life has had a meaning and a purpose, even if
only to help improve your focus on the path you must take from here.
There isn't one person who hasn't found himself heading in the wrong direction
at one time or another, but then ... it's never too late to start.

Dark years ago I was alone
despairing at my fate.
How could I have ever known
it never is too late?

It's not too late to realize
that love can come again.
For with your smile and dancing eyes
you took away my pain.

It's not too late to place your trust
and try to build anew.
And to another heart adjust
to strive to see it through.

It's not to late for happiness
again to come to me.
For whether rich or penniless
a cheerful man I'll be.

For love has come to me once more
where I had lost all hope
of claiming what I had before.
I never thought I'd cope.

No my love, it's not too late.
It never is, you see.
And always I'll appreciate
the day you came to me.

God works in many wondrous ways,
His marvels to perform.
Like when a hurricane displays
a calm before the storm.

But why should storm arrive at all?
Can God not put it by?
Or the hardships we befall
and suffer through, but why?

Has He presented us some test,
determining our worth?
Is He searching out who's best?
What secrets He'll unearth?

Why is it then that bad things come
to those who are so good?
Can He not protect them from
such trouble as He should?

Or is it meant to make us strong,
or teach a simple truth?
To show us what is right or wrong
- the lessons of our youth.

It does no good to agonize
on why He picked on you.
Instead just try to realize
the message that shines through.

For every storm cloud has a rim
of silver, which you'll see.
Through every hardship, think of Him-
what He wants you to be.

Cannot His purpose be to mould
you in to something pure?
To help you face life's bitter cold
more confident and sure.

We learn so much when we are faced
with hardship and dismay.
A lesson's there to be embraced
and teach us in some way.

We thrive in varied, wondrous ways
and seldom can we know,
that happy times and darker days
are needed both to grow.

The time is gone, we can't undo
those things we'd like to change.
We have today, all bright and new
to start to feel good again.

We tried our best, the lessons learned.
we lived with what we got.
What's done is done, the page is turned
and change it? We cannot.

Yet even though the days gone by
left something to desire,
they've brought us here, and that is why
we can to heights aspire.

For each new day brings with it hope ...
a chance to start anew ...
a chance to grow ... a chance to cope ...
a chance to see it through.

We can't go forward in our quest
if we keep looking back.
But focus on what makes us best
and not on what we lack.

Today will never come again.
We cannot sit and wait.
Get up and find the will to win.
Don't trust it all to fate.

So how do we prepare to face
this new day in our lives?
How best to set a winning pace
and see the dream survives?

First chart a course and set your goals
to guide you on your way ...
to lead you past the rocks and shoals
so on your path you'll stay.

Then make a promise to yourself
to work to reach your dreams.
For idle thoughts will bring no wealth
no matter how it seems.

To be consistent, you should aim
to put the effort in.
Day by day ... your goal you'll gain
and in the end you'll win.

Have faith in what you have in store.
Believe in what you do.
And nowhere does it matter more
that you believe in you.

Today, the sun can always shine,
though clouds still hold some rain.
Just strive to put what's past behind
and start to feel good again.

This day came so quickly
I scarce can believe.
It seems we've just met you
and now you must leave.

The passage of time
seems a blur to us now.
Yet still we remember
our feelings somehow.

You taught us so much
in the time that we had.
And you'd always be there -
through good times and bad.

But now we remain here
to make our own way,
while you explore new paths
we'll follow some day.

What secrets you're learning?
And what have you seen?
We can only imagine
the places you've been.

You're journey's not over.
You've just gone ahead.
You've gone from the mortal
to timeless instead.

Some day we will join you.
'Til then we'll recall
how privileged we were
to have known you at all.