HIT: Poem, story on living life to the fullest, Part 3

[Julie Purdy <purdyj@LINK75.ORG>]

Here is the final part of my HIT on a poem, story to share at a teacher's
memorial service.

These are some things that I found before receiving all of your WONDERFUL
responses!

In Your Small Corner

To look on and not offer assistance
to one who needs
is to stand in the shadows of truth
To listen and spread the gossip of loose tongues
is to salt the open wounds of pain
To grasp and hold onto
unfeeling material substances
is to lose the value of caring
To turn deaf ears to a
child's plea to identity
is to stifle creativity, individuality
To miss the beauty of life and living
is to hide in a shadowy cocoon, alone
To miss the joy of a child with grandparents
is to read a good book, only to find
someone has torn away the final chapter
Live every day to its fullest
Take pride in whatever you do
Make your small corner unforgettable
Because it once belonged to you
                                        Jewell Castro
_______________________________________

Weep Not For Things Undone

If this be the twilight of my life
let not this time pass in vain
I avow to bring joy to others
to offer a helping hand to
those who reach out to me
I will walk amidst the beauty of my
flowers
hold to my heart those dearest to me
I will try to share my joy of life
and living with all whom I meet
I will remember the children who
touched my life and enriched my existence
with treasures more precious than gold
I will live every day to its fullest
reap memories that will live forever
and I will not weep for things left undone
                                        Jewell Castro
______________________________________

I long for yesterday;
It is forever gone.
And when it was here,
It heard a different song.

There are better days ahead;
The words so clearly ring.
The pleasant thought of this,
Caused my heart to sing.

When I look back for it;
The tears begin to flow.
Although my heart is sad,
From this lesson I will grow.

As each day comes my way;
There is but one thing to say.
Live each day to its fullest;
It came to go, not stay.
                                Glenda Sollis
__________________________________

The Art of Living

We give of ourselves when
we give gifts of the heart:
love, kindness, joy, understanding,
sympathy, tolerance, forgiveness.

We give of ourselves when
we give gifts of the mind:
ideas, dreams, purposes, ideals,
principles, plans, inventions, projects, poetry.

We give of ourselves when
we give gifts of the spirit:
prayer, vision, beauty, aspiration,
peace, faith.

We give of ourselves when
we give the gift of words:
encouragement, inspiration, guidance.
Emerson said it well:
"Rings and jewels are not gifts,
but apologies for gifts.
The only true gift is
a portion of thyself.
                        Wilferd A. Peterson
________________________________

Woman

That woman is a success
who loves life
and lives it to the fullest;
Who has discovered and shared
the strengths and talents
that are uniquely her own;
Who puts her best into each task
and leaves each situation
better than she found it;
Who seeks and finds
that which is beautiful
in all people and things;
Whose heart is full of love
and warm with compassion;
Who has found joy in living
and peace with herself.
                                Barbara J. Burrow
____________________________________

I want to sincerely thank everyone who sent me responses.  One of our
guidance counselors came to me looking for a poem or story for the student
who will be speaking at the teacher's memorial service.  I knew you all
would be able to help me!  When I took all your responses as well as the
poems I had found, he was truly amazed!  Thanks so much for coming through
for me!  I hope that perhaps some of these poems and stories will be
helpful and inspirational to someone else out there!

Julie Purdy
Mt. Ararat Middle School
Brunswick, Maine
purdyj@link75.org

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