பிரார்த்தனை

இந்த வலைப்பூவை  என்னைப் போன்ற இளஞர்கள் மட்டுமல்ல,  வயது முதிர்ந்தவர்களும் படிக்கிறார்கள் என்பது எனக்குத் தெரியும்.  பின்னவர்களுக்காக ஒரு பாடல்.

 Prayer

Lord, Thou  knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will someday be old.
     Keep from me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

     Release me  from  the craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

     Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it at all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

     Keep my mind from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

    Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

    I  dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others pains,but help me to endure them with  patience. I dare not ask, either, for improved memory; and lessening  cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others.

   Teach me  the glorious lesson occasionally I may be mistaken.

      Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint -- some of them are hard to  live with.  But a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil,

     Give me ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them, so. Amen.  - Anonymous

from : The Chance of a Lifetime" -- Ed. by Eva and Barbara Greene --1966