Join Now
nevagiveup 
10:53am
For all of us, who will be there one day!
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Missouri .. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Missouri .. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Crabby Old Man
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?
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 shoe?
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 shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . . . lets you do as you 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.
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 at 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.
As I do at 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.
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 secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . . . .. .. . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . . . . . . With ties that should last.
Who need me to guide . . . . And a secure happy 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 woman's beside me . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . . . . My loved one and me.
But my woman's beside me . . . . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round 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 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.
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 guy 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.
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!!
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!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person
who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul
within we will all, one day, be there, too!
who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul
within we will all, one day, be there, too!
UPDATED GOALS
Be a happy person
Progress 85%
Encouragements: 2
Add your support
Comments
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed with
The next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift.... thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
Hear the music before the song is over.
David L. Weatherford
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed with
The next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift.... thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower.
Hear the music before the song is over.
David L. Weatherford
Comments
-
I LOVE THAT!!! WE SHOULD ALL REALLY LISTEN TO THOSE WORDS & DO AS THEY SAY. I THINK WE WOULD ENJOY LIFE MUCH MORE!!!!!
-
HI,
that was just what i needed to read, life is meant to be enjoyed, especially for Tim and i in our situation, thank you for reminding me of life's pleasures,so all, live life today, enjoy life today but most of all love life today, it's to precious to miss...
Becca Anne
-
Awww thanks for sharing,I love the poem,I love poetry but never hear stuff I've not heard before.I've never heard this before.Love it made me smile x
-
Nice - true
-
Really lovely and so true!
-
Beautiful!
-
loved it:)
got engaged on friday i have everything i want nice house nice animal the sun is bursting from the sky
but yet i want to die
i cant fly
just cry
angry tears
so many fears
unfounded but so real to me
god please help me i kneel
to pray
why does he stay?
im crazy
sad
depressed manic
so much work
so cheeky so messy
what do i have to offer him ?
why does he want me
what does he see
that i dont ?
why cant i jsut chill
and enjoy what i have ?
im grateful and blessed
so why im still unhappy
i dont want to give up
my name says nevagiveup
but
im tired and sore
frightened
of never feeling happy
of never not feeling this nevaending saddness
please help me
i see the knife
it would be so easy to cut
up and let the blood
drip out
would that make me chill
give me a thrill
PLEASE HELP ME
but yet i want to die
i cant fly
just cry
angry tears
so many fears
unfounded but so real to me
god please help me i kneel
to pray
why does he stay?
im crazy
sad
depressed manic
so much work
so cheeky so messy
what do i have to offer him ?
why does he want me
what does he see
that i dont ?
why cant i jsut chill
and enjoy what i have ?
im grateful and blessed
so why im still unhappy
i dont want to give up
my name says nevagiveup
but
im tired and sore
frightened
of never feeling happy
of never not feeling this nevaending saddness
please help me
i see the knife
it would be so easy to cut
up and let the blood
drip out
would that make me chill
give me a thrill
PLEASE HELP ME
Comments
-
hey hunnie are you ok?
its a big step getting engaged, you are saying that you've found the one for you , n your search for love is over. ahhh
just relax
your just having a down day but it'll pass im sure.
don't do anything you'll regret later.IE .cut .no. no.
call your doc tomorrow ! please dont do anything thats not good for you
take care xx
-
just so U know!
before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of his son.
and each time U pray, you'll see it's true, you can't spell out JusUs and not include U.
you're a pretty big part of his wonderful name, for U, he was born; thats why he came.
and his great love for U is the reason he died. it takes U to spell crUcified.
isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand he rose from the dead, with U in his plan?
the stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
when JesUs left earth at his upward ascension, he felt there was one thing he just had to mention. he loves you.
i'm sorry your sad. maybe you want a change of pace or maybe you need it to rain :) to much sun can be depressing. i will pray for you :) ((hugs))
-
Things sound so exciting in your life and I agree you should be happy. I am so sorry you are sad and struggling. He choose you for a reason, I hope you can fight through this darkness and find a happy peaceful life. My prayers are with you. Kelly
-
Please know how important you are to others lives. You have been such a help to me and I would hate to see you hurt yourself , you are my imspiration. You WILL get through this. You are a wonderful person and thats why God still has you here. Keep the faith, keep praying, stay strong and you WILL be happy. Yes, all those things should make you happy but if they dont, its coming from within you. Please learn to love yourself, you have mentioned your parents to me several times. Maybe its time to see if you can work through that issue. I dont know where you are with that but I have a feeling its a very sore spot. We cant pick our parents, but We CAN choose to make ourselves different from them. Accept who you are and love YOU the most. Then you will be happy. I know you will work through this and be happy again. I just know it. Things reallly do happen for a reason and you are a strong person, after all you have been through. Its ok to not always be happy. But something isnt right and its only you that can try to fix it. God has you here for a reason. We need you. I pray for you and your happiness. That is most important. You dont have to be perfect. There are people who LOVE you and I for one would like to continue to be here for you anytime. And I need your support as well. Hang tough, you can get through this. Look how far you have come already. God is giving you the backbone you need. I promise.
-
ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE RIGHT NEVA! YOU ARE A SPECIAL PERSON TO ALL OF US & YOUR FIANCE'. WE ALL NEED YOU TO CONTINUE TO BE OUR FRIEND & TELL US TO NEVAGIVEUP!!!!! HUGS & PRAYERS, REE
-
HEY HEY ... CUT THAT SHIT OUT !!! YOU ARE A WONDERFUL WOMAN AND PERSON !! YOU HAVE ALOT TO OFFER, AND GIVE TO SOMEONE !! WHY ARE YOU SO DEPRESSED ALL THE TIME ?? SOME UNDERLYING THING IS BOTHERING YOU, YOU MAY NEED TO SEEK HELP, MEDS, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET OUT OF THIS SLUMP, BEFORE YOU HURT YOURSELF OF SOMEONE ELSE ... I WILL PRAY THIS DARK CLOUD LIFTS, AND THAT YOU FIND THE INNER PEACE YOU SO RIGHTLY DESERVE !
HANG IN THERE MY FRIEND !! LOVE, MARIE
-
Sounds like you're depressed. Therapy can help. I suggest you look into it! Lifes too short to be miserable!
Past Entries
| April 2009 |
Sunday, 4/19
|
|
March 2009 |
Sunday, 3/15
 |
|
Sunday, 3/15
|
|
February 2009 |
|
Thursday, 2/05
|
|
January 2009 |
|
Wednesday, 1/21
|
|
Sunday, 1/18
|
|
Sunday, 1/18
|
|
Sunday, 1/18
|
|
October 2008 |
Wednesday, 10/29
|
|
Wednesday, 10/29
|
Sunday, 10/05
|
|
Thursday, 10/02
|
|
September 2008 |
|
Tuesday, 9/16
|
|
Tuesday, 9/16
|
|
August 2008 |
Tuesday, 8/05
|
|
Tuesday, 8/05
|
|
Sunday, 8/03
|
|
July 2008 |
|
Thursday, 7/31
|
|
Thursday, 7/31
|
|
Saturday, 7/26
|
|
Wednesday, 7/23
|
|
Thursday, 7/17
|
|
Monday, 7/14
|
|
Monday, 7/14
|
|
Monday, 7/14
|
|
Sunday, 7/13
|
|
Sunday, 7/13
|
|
Saturday, 7/12
|
|
Friday, 7/11
|
|
Tuesday, 7/01
|
|
Tuesday, 7/01
|
|
June 2008 |
|
Sunday, 6/22
|
|
Tuesday, 6/10
|
|
Wednesday, 6/04
|
|
Sunday, 6/01
|
|
May 2008 |
|
Thursday, 5/29
|
|
Wednesday, 5/28
|
|
Thursday, 5/22
|
|
Saturday, 5/17
|
|
Saturday, 5/17
|
|
Thursday, 5/15
|
|
Sunday, 5/11
|
|
Monday, 5/05
|
|
Sunday, 5/04
|
|
Friday, 5/02
|
|
Thursday, 5/01
|
Goal Updated
ok so that was rather hard to read! i only read in one language sorry, i hope you fell better after putting it all down on papper.
paprik
used to work in nursing homes and think its important careers remmber the person behid the dementia
nevagiveup
It's beautiful and so true. Thank you, (When I clicked to read your journal it came up in wing ding font. So I copied and pasted it into Word to read it.)
catusannie
ABSOLUTLY HEARTFELT AND BEAUTIFUL !!!
Scorp55
yes, that was wonderful, thanks for sharing. xoxo
I have a special place in my heart for old people.
rattles
oh it is lovely:) makes me think of my grandpa. and thinks for changing the font i am not abel to copy and past yet. :)
paprik