FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART

    I bought me a home next door to the school
       Where the children pass each day.
     I like the noise of girls and boys,
       And I like to watch them play.

     While some like the sound of a waterfall
       Or soft breeze in a Cottonwood tree
     My first choice is a little child's voice.
       It is beautiful music to me.

     So, I bought me a home with a school close by
       Where I will not lack for noise.
     My heart won't be cold as I grow old
       For I'm listening to girls and boys.

     A huge playground surrounds that school
       And children come there each day.
     The sweetest sound is in my part of town
       When the children are at play.

      I go up and down life's inland bay
      Where people live and work and play;
      Seeking among the persons there
      The special ones who are jewels rare.
      I am always seeking that I may find
      Souls that are atune with mine.
      When on such common ground we meet,
      The friendship is sublimely sweet.
      It is my favorite hobby and has become an art;
      Looking for diamonds in each one's heart.

      Up and down the village street
      I look for jewels in the friends I meet.
      In unlikely places I sometimes find
      Kindred souls who respond to mine.
      I must be careful lest I fail to see
      The sparkling radiance in those near to me.
      Diamonds and rubies and pearls rare
      Are hidden in hearts of folk everywhere.
      I must ever keep my eyes awake
      Lest I miss some treasure by mistake.

      In all the children who pass my way
      I make discoveries every day.
      In many an unexpected childish word
      There is profound wisdom to be heard.
      Underneath that tousled hair
      The quick-witted brain is a treasure rare.
      Then I discover, to my surprise,
      Costly diamonds shine from his eyes.
      If faith and ambition are skillfully blended,
      He can become the jewel that God intended.

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

     I sat in my wheelchair watching today
      While neighbor children were in the street at play.
      I know it is time for them to be out
      When I hear them begin to laugh and to shout.
          The street seems a magical place to be
          Where all of their friends and playmates they see.
          As I sit here and watch, I share in their joys.
          I wish I could be there as one of the boys!

      On each summer evening, after the heat,
      They gather to play in the cool of the street.
      I wheel my chair to an open door
      And eagerly listen to hear the score.
          When I watch the games, I feel I'm a part.
          When somebody wins, it thrills my heart!
          Time was when I was spry on my feet
          Just like the children out there in the street.
      
      On autumn evenings when school lets out
      I hear the children's eager shout;
      Then I go to the window where I can see,
      For watching their play brings pleasure to me.
          "The fountain of youth" I always say
          Is wherever I see children at play!
          I will admit that my youth has flown,
          But never that my heart older has grown.

POSITIVE THINKING

      I feel the summer breeze
          Among the lovely trees, 
      Where the beautiful Elk River wends its way.
          I feel I'm back again
          To that time away back when.
      I am enjoying those old scenes again today.
      
          I'll forget arthritic pains
          And the energy it drains.
      I'll get up and take a walk around the yard.
          I feel better as I go.
          It doesn't matter that I'm slow,
      And that the getting up and down is very hard.

          I recall the yard of yesteryear
          With its flowers. It gives me cheer.
      Who said that reminiscing does no good?
          With my cane I feel as spry
          As I did in days gone by,
      And I think the youthful thoughts, just as I should.

ANTICIPATION

       Only one baby had brought her heart joy,
      One little pugged-nosed, curly-haired boy.
      He is now married and in a home of his own.
      The house isn't the same since she is alone.
          And the days are long and dreary.
      
      She now knows a secret most too good to keep.
      Her daughter-in-law told her one day last week.
      She suddenly feels all the world looks bright.
      To plan for a grandchild makes everything right.
          And every day will again be cheery.

WE WALK ALONG TOGETHER

       We walk along together
          And we talk of many things -
      About the flowering blossoms
          Or of a bird that sings.
      
      Each time he comes to see me
          He says he came to talk,
      And if I please will go with him,
          He would like to take a walk.

      We often walk of evenings
          When the twinkling stars are bright,
      He whispers love words in my ear
          And kisses me goodnight.

      I hear his mother calling
          And he must do as he is told.
      He is my little grandson
          Who is only four years old.

FLOWERS TO SHARE

     In my back yard the flowers grew
      Enclosed by a wall that was five-feet-two.
      When a little child asked to come inside,
      She was overjoyed at the rose she spied.

      I moved some flowers outside the wall
      For folks to see who aren't very tall.
      Each blossom looks more lovely to me
      When I propagate it for others to see.
      Even the fragrance that fills the air
      Seems sweeter from the flowers I share.

LIKE AUTUMN LEAVES

"We fade as a leaf" the writer has said.
      Some leaves in autumn change to yellow or red,
      While others fade-turn crispy and brown
      Til the tree looks better when they've blown to the ground.

      I know a dear lady, more than eighty years old
      Who has a sweet beauty that's as precious as gold.
      She has mellowed and ripened with each passing year.
      To all those who know her she grows ever more dear.

      She does not seem old, and she's not withering away.
      She is growing more lovely with each passing day.
      Like the brilliance of autumn that catches the eye,
      She is admired and respected by all who pass by.

      Some people grow beautiful and mellow with age;
      "The spirit mellows" are the words of a sage.
      Old age is coming to you and to me
      When our true beauty will show like the leaf on a tree.

LIFE BEGINS AT SIXTY

     "Life begins at forty" so I have been told.
      At what age then is a man called "old"?
      It can't be at sixty, for I'm sixty-one,
      And I find that real living has just begun.

      At sixty we've grown up but not grown old.
      We can sift out the dross from among the gold.
      We can now put aside the lesser things
      And cherish the blessings that each day brings.

      When I reached sixty I found life to be bliss,
      For the preceding years have prepared me for this.
      I've learned to be happy come whatever may,
      And I'm thankful each morning for another new day.

TIME TO RETIRE

     Who said it is time a man retire
          When he reaches age sixty-five?
      I am not old and I'm not worn out;
          I feel very much alive.

      My good little wife has not quit work;
          She still keeps house as before.
      We both like to work, side by side,
          Just as in days of yore.

      I want to be useful for as long as I live
          Be it eighty or ninety-three.
      To retire when still young may be the style
          But it is not good enough for me.

SEVENTY

     Praise the Lord? I have reached it -
      The three score and ten!
      Life has been so much fun
      I would live it again!

      In spite of mishaps
      And troubles galore,
      I would do it again
      To enjoy it once more!

      There were many lessons
      That I learned the hard way.
      I can look back and laugh
      About it today.

      One fact has registered
      In this brain of mine
      All of my worrying
      Was a waste of time.

      Indeed it is true
      I've found life to be good.
      I would live it again
      If only I could.

BEING EIGHTY-FIVE

     I do not worry about my arthritis.
      The pains are never fatal, I know.
      When I walk past my neighbors' flower beds
      I am glad that I have to walk slow.

      My digestive system is wearing out.
      There are certain foods I must no longer eat.
      So I've learned to appreciate simple things;
      Even plain food can be a real treat.

      My hands have become a bit shaky,
      And my eyesight is sometimes very bad.
      But, I can still play a good game of checkers.
      For that I am heartily glad.

      I love having to wear a hearing aid;
      For when I wish the conversation to cease,
      I quickly turn off the hearing power
      To enjoy the quiet and peace.

      Every day there are happy surprises;
      It is great just to be alive.
      I am glad I've lived long enough to learn.
      The fun of being eighty and five.

I'M STILL IN LOVE

     It is many years since we were young
      And I made my first date with you.
      It is many years since we promised that
      We'd love a lifetime through.

      These many years have been happy years;
      In our hearts we stay young and gay.
      It certainly does not matter to me
      That our hair has turned to gray.

      I'm still in love with the same sweetheart.
      I'm still in love with you.
      You are entwined around my heart.
      No other one will do.

      For all the years that are ahead,
      I'm still in love with you.

OUR GOLDEN WEDDING

     I loved you much when we were wed
          And you were young and gay.
      I love you more as we celebrate
          Our Golden Wedding Day.

      Through happy days and dreary days
         We've had blessings from above.
      We've shared our tears and shared our joys
          And still we are in love.

      Rejoice my dear, this is the day
          For us to celebrate.
      Come with me for another slice
          Of the Golden Wedding cake.

      All my life has been worthwhile
          Since the day I married you.
      The greatest event in both our lives
          Was the day we said "I do".

      All our days have been golden days
          All along the way.
      We now have reached the brightest one-
          Our Golden Wedding Day.

      Our love has lasted many years;
          It is time to celebrate.
      Come with me for another slice
          Of the Golden Wedding cake.

YOUR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

     You've had fifty years of life together,
          Fifty years of "Honeymoon",
      Loving, caring, giving, sharing.
          The fifty years have passed so soon.

      You've been blest by rearing children;
          Happy years for all to see,
      An example set for others,
          Just as Christian homes should be.

      Sometimes there was pain and illness;
          For a truly balanced life
      Must have its days of joy and gladness,
          As well as those of grief or strife.

      Times of sorrow, like the furnace
          Which refines the purest gold
      Will burn out the dross and blemish
          And leave it lovely to behold.

      You have been tried, as in a furnace,
          Guided by the Master's Hand;
      You have been refined and molded
          In the pattern He has planned.

      Growing sweeter, growing kinder,
          You grew lovely growing old.
      On this Golden Anniversary
          Both your hearts are purest gold.

FOR A SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

     It is now seventy years that you've been
              husband and wife.
      That is the number of years
              of the average man's life.
      A Seventieth Anniversary is
              unusual to attain,
      And it rightly brings to you
              honor and fame.

      This is what you have wished for
              and the dream has come true.
      That you have lived to see it
              is God's blessing to you.
      It is very few couples who can enjoy
              so many years.
      Congratulations to you! And hurrah!
              And three cheers!

      With reasonably good health
              and a host of good friends,
      The counting of your blessings
              just never ends.
      Your friends rejoice that you have lived
              to see this great day.
      "Sincere congratulations" are the
              words they all say.

IT IS TIME TO WHISTLE

     Are you angry? Are you sad? Whistle!
      Let others know when you are glad. Whistle!
      Whistling can blow all anger away -
      Can make sad aching hearts feel light and gay.
      You can turn dark hours to a bright new day
      When you whistle!

      Has some brother been unkind? Whistle!
      Clear those cobwebs from your mind. Whistle!
      A feeling of resentment can never last long
      When you begin to whistle your favorite song.
      You can forgive the one who did you wrong
      If you whistle!

      No matter if you're young or old. Whistle!
      While some complain and others scold. Whistle!
      Friends all around you will feel better soon
      When they hear you whistle a cheery tune.
      Whether it's morning or night or noon
      It is time to whistle!

WHY WORRY? (Psalm 37)

           If we couldn't fret and stew
          We wouldn't know what to do.
      We moderns like to always rush and hurry.
          The popular American sport
          According to statistical report
      Is to indulge in just a little bit of worry.

          When we read the thirty-seventh Psalm
          With its advice for keeping calm,
      It makes us feel like trusting God the way we should.
          The Psalmist says, "Don't fret"
          For our God is watching yet,
      And He always knows just who is truly good.

          When we strive to do the right,
          Trust in God with all our might,
      We know we can depend on Him alone.
          The righteous will be blest
          And in the end will have the best.
      Our God has promised He will not forsake His own.

GRANDPA

     When Grandpa comes to visit,
          He awakens with the dawn.
      Before anyone else is stirring
          He is working in the lawn.

      He waters the thirsty flower bed
          And pulls a weed or two.
      Here is a vine that needs tying up;
          He finds many things to do.

      Very often he doesn't do it right;
          Not in the way I would like it done.
      But he so sincerely wants to help
          I just cannot spoil his fun.

      He can't sit around doing nothing
          For he has been a hard-working man.
      Grandpa doesn't want to be put on a shelf,
          But to be useful for as long as he can.

THE OLD FELLOW

     Senior citizens gather at the Center in town
      To play some jolly good games.
      Each one has fun with all who come
      And don't bother to know the names.

      An old fellow there, so actively spry,
      Likes to show just what he can do.
      After walking the mile to get to town
      He will do an Indian dance, too.

      He will read without his glasses
      To demonstrate that he can,
      And tell interesting stories of great events
      That happened away back when.

      "How old is that fellow? I'd like to know.
      He seems so genuinely alive."
      "DON'T guess him at seventy, for I've been told
      That man is past ninety-five."

THE HUNCHBACK MAN

     I heard them saying as I drew near
      Words not intended that I should hear.
      "There he goes again. Alas, Alack!
      That queer little man with the hump on his back."

      Why I am crippled, I don't understand;
      For I'm sure God has no need for a crippled man.
      Then I met a blind man who said that he
      Feels especially blessed since he cannot see.

      The faith of the blind man put me to shame.
      I will serve the Lord and no longer complain.
      There are many tasks that need to be done,
      And there's some man that is fitted to do each one.

      God in His mercy supplied me His grace
      And expects me to faithfully fill my place.
      Today God is needing a hunchbacked man,
      So I will serve Him the best that I can.

THE AUTUMN OF LIFE

     If a leaf could know
              what its future may hold,
      That when autumn comes
              it will be shimmering gold,
      Would the leaf look forward
              and plan eagerly
      For the day when its colors
              will brighten the tree?

      We know very well
              what our future can be:
      That we will change with age
              as the leaf on the tree,
      Mellowed and ripened
              and sweeter grown
      With a lovable personality
              that is all one's own.

      The autumn of life
              is God's great plan
      And is one of the loveliest gifts
              He has given to man:
      When we shall reach
              A ripe old age
      that coveted goal-
              that has mellowed the soul.

SEE GOOD IN OTHERS

     If you look for wrong and evil,
      It is easy to be found;
      For you'll find in all your neighbors
      That some evil traits abound.

      Search, instead, for truth and goodness;
      Find some joy that you can share.
      Look for rainbows in the dewdrops;
      There is beauty everywhere.

      When you're looking at your brother,
      Only see the good and kind.
      We ourselves are never perfect;
      We must keep this fact in mind.

      Reflect upon some gracious virtue;
      Think of all the good and true.
      As you see the good in others,
      They will find some good in you.

MY CONCLUSION

     We can judge a man as he judges;
            This fact is quite plain to me.
      The man who always trusts others
            Will himself more trustworthy be.

      The thief suspects others of stealing.
            The liar thinks all do the same.
      While he who is given to gossip
            Is sure someone's slandered his name.

      The good man who loves his brother
            And expects of each one his best
      Is the one on whom I like to depend.
            He will be true in every test.

      I have come to this simple conclusion-
            I will try judging all men to be true.
      Then, perhaps, other people will judge me
            As being honest in all that I do.

IT IS EASY TO FORGIVE

     "If we truly love enough,
            it is easy to forgive."
      Mother's words I shall remember
            as long as I shall live.

      Mother said, "We must forgive her
            and forget injustice done.
      And angry thoughts or malice
            must not be held toward anyone."

      How can you forgive her?
            She has hurt you so!
      "Ah, that she has caused this anguish
            she must never know.
      She intended me no harm,
            for what she failed to see
      Was that the thing that she was doing
            was causing pain to me."

      "I sometimes wish she were not so,
            but that is just her way.
      So we must both forgive her
            and love her more each day.
      Think thoughts of love and kindness
            and you soon will see
      Forgiveness will come naturally,
            just as it does with me."

      "If you truly love enough,
            it is easy to forgive."
      These sweet words I shall remember
            for as long as I shall live.

WE DON'T REALLY CHANGE

     We don't really change as the years go by,
      Although it may seem that we do.
      The high ideals which we had in youth
      Will be there in old age, too.
          The characteristics a youth develops today
          Will still be his when his is old and gray.

      By the thoughts we think and the choices we make
      We will seal our own destiny.
      We shape our own soul for its ultimate goal
      Throughout all of eternity.
          "As the twig is bent, the tree is inclined"
          Was wisely said with man in mind.

I WISH YOU A SONG

     I wish you a song, for to sing is the thing.
          It will drive away your blues-
      A lilting tune to sing or to croon
          Til all of your worries you lose.

      I wish you a song that all the day long
          Will continue to ring through your heart,
      And make your day bright from morning till night
          With a glow that will never depart.

      I wish you a song when the night is long
          And sleep is eluding you,
      A soothing refrain that will bring sleep again
          To leave you refreshed anew.

      I wish you a song that will keep your faith strong
          Even while you are burdened with care.
      The dark clouds to clear, sing a song of good cheer.
          It will lift you out of despair.

FAITH AND FLOWER GARDENING

     Of our many hobbies,
              flower gardening is best.
      She who tends a flower garden
              is always blest.
      It is not due to the beauty
              of the blossoms there
      With their lovely fragrance
              filling the air,
      And not for the exercise;
              it is none of these.
      It is that she does much of her work
              while down on her knees.

      As she weeds the flowers,
              she may not be aware
      That she is kneeling before the Creator
              in prayer.
      That in her heart she is praying
             to a Higher Power,
      To grant her success
              with each little flower.
      She may not even know that
              faith has a part,
      But God sees and knows,
              for God looks on the heart.

A RED BARN AND APPLE BLOSSOMS

     Our family saw years of hardship
          And money was scarce on the farm
      When times began to get better,
          Dad built a big red barn.

      It was built just beyond the orchard,
          Where there was plenty of room.
      We saw the barn framed in beauty
          When the orchard burst into bloom.

      It gave a new hope for the morrow
          That our problems would vanish away.
      The new barn and the orchard full blooming
          Gave promise of a bright new day.

      The years of childhood pass quickly;
          We children soon were grown.
      We left the farm and the orchard
          To establish homes of our own.

      Today I drove back to the old homestead
          With a longing to see it once more.
      Hope was renewed by the red barn still standing
          Blessed by the apple trees' blooms as before.

THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE

     In a little town in Kansas,
      Near a scenic waterfall,
      There stands an empty schoolhouse
      That is dear to the heart of all.

      I never tire of listening
      To the stories my Grandpa tells
      Of the early days in that old schoolhouse
      Where his memory still dwells.

      I can imagine children's voices
      As the wind whistles through the halls
      And the sound of merry laughter
      Almost echoes from the walls.

      When he tells me of his boyhood,
      And the activities of the town
      That all centered around the schoolhouse,
      It seems a shame to tear it down.

TAKE ME BACK

     Take me back once more to rural scenes
          Where the vegetation is growing all around,
      Where the country air is fresh and sweet,
          Far away from all the noises of the town.

      Take me back again to scenes I knew
          When my feet were firmly planted on the sod.
      There my soul reached up toward the skies
          And I knew the joy of feeling close to God.

      Take me back. Oh, take me back,
          Back again to that dear farm so far away.
      Take me back, at least in memory,
          To the happiness I knew in yesterday.

HER FAVORITE HOBBY

     "Which of your many hobbies
      Brings the greatest pleasure to you?"
      I asked of a dear sweet lady
      Whose age is past eighty-two.

      "Writing letters," was her ready answer,
      And the light in her soft eyes shone,
      "Writing letters to those who are lonely,
      The people who live alone."

      "That hobby brings pleasure to others;
      It makes many a dull day bright.
      I would far rather write cheery letters
      Than to earn great wealth if I might."

WRITE A LETTER TO GRANDPA

     Have you written to Grandpa lately
          Or couldn't you find the time
      With all of your own many problems
          To write him even a line?

      His days are filled with remembering
          The happier years he has had;
      But when those he loves most forget him
          He feels all alone and sad.

      A letter can be a real treasure.
          Even a brief note will do
      To one who is old and lonely
          And watching for letters from you.

      Put a bit of yourself in the letter,
          And a bit of humor and mirth.
      The price of the stamp you put on it
          Can't begin to equal its worth.

REJOICE!

     I have just learned the meaning of the word "rejoice,"
      And I want to shout it at the top of my voice!
      I am able to sit up! I can walk once more
      After being near to eternity's door.
      I feel alive! I want to sing -
      To soar like an eagle on widespread wing.

      My health is restored. I can walk again.
      I will praise the Lord forever-Amen!
      The Lord inclined unto me and heard my prayer;
      He brought me up out of the depths of despair! Like the man born blind who could suddenly see,
      I feel a real miracle has happened to me.

      If you've lost something of value and had it returned,
      Then you know the great joy that I have just learned.
      Come rejoice with me, sing it loud and clear,
      For many others will be glad to hear
      Of the wonderful things that God can do;
      And praise the Lord, He can do it for you!

PRAISE THE LORD

     Praise the Lord for making the mountains.
      Praise the Lord for making the sea.
      Praise the Lord for the beautiful sunset.
      Praise the Lord; I have eyes and can see.

      Praise the Lord for making the flowers,
      The gardens and grass and the trees.
      Praise the Lord for the sun and the showers,
      And for the cool refreshing breeze.

      Praise the Lord for making the seashore,
      For the beach and the surf and the sand.
      It was He who made all of the beauty
      That we enjoy throughout our fair land.

      I never can praise Him one-half enough
      For all of His mercies to me.
      If He should withhold His blessings,
      What serious suffering there would be.

COME REST AWHILE

     I went to the park to relax and rest,
      And I found a huge crowd was there.
      I went to the mountains; it was the same.
      There were multitudes everywhere.

      By millions they are seeking a quite retreat,
      Yet, all seem to be seeking in vain.
      Still they search, for they feel a thirst
      Like a parched field needing a rain.

      Even the Master sought solitude,
      And advised His disciples to see it too-
      "To come away by yourselves to a lonely place"
      And there your strength to renew.

      I am aware of my own need to rest,
      But to find seclusion is hard.
      I may decide I must be content
      With what I find in my own backyard.

WELCOME TO DOGWOOD DELL

  This cabin is loved by its owner;
          To her it's a jewel she has found.
      She has furnished it to her own liking;
          Each room with her treasures abound.

      You are a welcomed guest in this cabin,
          But guard its neatness well
      For the sake of the guests who will follow.
          Be careful at Dogwood Dell.

      Don't trample down the Dogwood.
          Don't bruise any blossoms fair,
      But set the house completely in order,
          And close the door with care.

      You found it looking lovely,
          Help to keep it just the same.
      Please leave the place as beautiful
          As it was the day you came.