As we grow older
. . .We discover that the meaning of life is
to give meaning to our lives and that pain
is inevitable but suffering is optional and
that we should save the best part of ourselves
for the person who deserves us.

As we grow older
. . . We discover that the best thing about the future
is that it comes just one day at a time and it is
far better to be alone than to be in bad company and
we have to cry sometimes not because we are weak
but because we have been strong for so long.

As we grow older
. . . We discover that telling the truth and making
someone cry is better than telling a lie and making
someone smile and mistakes are part of the dues
one pays for a full life.

As we grow older
. . .We discover that the strongest people are
the ones who love beyond all faults, cry
behind closed doors and fight battles that
nobody knows about.

As we grow older
. . .We discover that if we miss somebody
we call and if we want to meet somebody
we invite and if we want to be understood
we explain and if we have questions
we ask and if we don't like something
we say it and if we like something
we state it and if we want something
we ask for it and if we love someone
we tell them.

As we grow older
. . .We discover that if we are depressed
we are living in the past and if we are anxious
we are living in the future and if we are at peace
we are living in the present and what we see
depends mainly on what we look for and anywhere
is paradise and that is up to us and we know that
if we if never try, we will never know.
                                                           ­                     Jon York         2014