…hope this note finds you happy, healthy, and cool! …I was recently reading some poems written by American writers and came upon a familiar poem by Rudyard Kipling… If… wonderful words to live by… my father mailed it to me soon after Ron and I moved to Franklin, Tn. I think he felt we needed a little encouragement… he enclosed a note with it that said throught out the years this poem has given him inspiration and a challenge to be a better person… he had rewritten the last line …. to replace man, my son with great person…I share it with you and hope that like me you will realize the good you do in just being you and continue to strive to be more loving, caring and embracing life each day… here’s If….
IF YOU CAN KEEP YOU HEAD WHEN ALL ABOUT YOU
ARE LOSING THEIRS AND BLAMING IT ON YOU
IF YOU CAN TRUST YOURSELF WHEN ALL MEN DOUBT YOU
BUT MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR THEIR DOUBTING TOO
IF YOU CAN WAIT AND NOT BE TIRED BY WAITING
OR BEING LIED ABOUT, DON’T DEAL IN LIES
OR BEING HATED, DON’T GIVE WAY TO HATING,
AND YET DON’T LOOK TOO GOOD, NOR TALK TOO WISE
IF YOU CAN DREAM AND NOT MAKE DREAMS YOUR MASTER
IF YOU CAN THINK AND NOT MAKE THOUGHTS YOUR AIM
IF YOU CAN MEET WITH TRIUMPH AND DISASTER
AND TREAT THOSES TWO IMPOSTERS JUST THE SAME
IF YOU CAN BEAR TO HEAR THE TRUTH YOU’VE SPOKEN
TWISTED BY KNAVES TO MAKE A TRAP FOR FOOLS
OR WATCH THE THINGS YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE TO BROKEN
AND STOOP AND BUILD’EM UP WITH WORNOUT TOOLS
IF YOU CAN MAKE ONE HEAP OF ALL YOU WINNINGS
AND RISK IT ON ONE TURN OF PITCH AND TOSS
AND LOSE, AND START AGIAN AT YOUR BEGINNINGS
AND NEVER BREATHE A WORD ABOUT YOUR LOSS
IF YOU CAN FORCE YOUR HEART AND NERVE AND SINEW
TO SERVE YOUR TURN LONG AFTER THEY ARE GONE
AND SO HOLD ON WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN YOU
EXCEPT THE WILL WHICH SAYS TO THEM: “HOLD ON”
IF YOU CAN TALK WITH CROWDS AND KEEP YOUR VIRTUE
OR WALK WITH KINGS NOR LOSE THE COMMON TOUCH
IT NEITHER FOES NOR LOVING FRIENDS CAN HURT YOU
IF ALL MEN COUNT WITH YOU, BUT NONE TOO MUCH
IF YOU CAN FILL THE UNFORGIVING MINUTE
WITH SIXTY SECONDS WORTH OF DISTANCE RUN
YOURS IS THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING THAT’S IN IT
( MY DAD’S ENDING…. )
YOU’LL BE A TRUE AND FINE PERSON.
…. through out my life… I have meet so many people who have shared courage, inspiration, a true willingness to live life to it’s fullness… just today on the cover of USA Today… Lance Armstrong, 22 yr. old from Texas is pictured carrying the US flag as he crossed the finish line to win the Tour de France… to hear his story… of overcoming cancer… believing in himself and drawing strength from those around him who love him…. …for my life Christ is this true inspiration …. a model of loving others… knowing who I am and being me… and sowing seeds of love and kindness on the path…