Monday, September 02, 2013

How did you live...and die?

I read this the other day- and it made me think of my mom, as well as the way I want to live until my last breath.   Thank you for your thoughts and love during this time.  Tomorrow I see a grief counselor for the first time and I'm sure it will be helpful.   I'm sad to admit I still feel so sad and at lose ends most days.   I look forward to being on vacation for a week every month until the new year.  I imagine I needed one before now, but the timing just hasn't worked out.    Love to each of you-

How Did You Die?

Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there -- that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight --  and why?

And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?
© Edmund Vance Cooke