We all have heroes in our lives, the people we admire for their various accomplishments; war heroes, sports heroes, or others who have displayed stunning feats of courage. It may be a family member or friend that has played a crucial role in mentoring or influencing us in some way throughout our life, and we respectfully call them our hero.
How beautifully portrayed, was the heroism we all witnessed recently at the tragic event of the Boston marathon; the spirit of kindness and love, the immediate response of so many!
I have been thinking of yet another group of heroes that well deserve the badge of courage. Several friends of mine are experiencing on-going health challenges; one has to visit the local hospital three times a week to receive her life-giving dialysis treatment. Another, has to administer her own dialysis at home, four times daily. Fighting cancer with severe accompanying pain, yet another friend smiles and without a complaint says, she's doing O.K. Another, a long-time friend and mentor who has truly been my hero, lies immobile in her bed, the result of a stroke. Disabled and challenged people surround us daily — the list goes on.
Some time ago, I came across this poem The World Is Mine, by Dr. Tennyson Gruyer which is a poignant reminder of how we should view life. The thoughts here are too good not to share.
The World is Mine
Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair;
She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair;
I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed--a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two legs—the world is mine.
She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair;
I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed--a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two legs—the world is mine.
Later on I bought some sweets. The boy who sold them had such charm,
I thought I'd stop and talk awhile. If I were late, t'would do no harm.
And as we talked he said, "Thank you, sir, you've really been so kind.
It's nice to talk to folks like you because, you see, I'm blind".
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes—the world is mine.
I thought I'd stop and talk awhile. If I were late, t'would do no harm.
And as we talked he said, "Thank you, sir, you've really been so kind.
It's nice to talk to folks like you because, you see, I'm blind".
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes—the world is mine.
Later, walking down the street, I met a boy with eyes so blue.
But he stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.
I paused, and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
But he looked straight ahead without a word, and then I knew, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears—the world is mine.
But he stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.
I paused, and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
But he looked straight ahead without a word, and then I knew, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears—the world is mine.
Two legs to take me where I go,
Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,
Two ears to hear all I should know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I'm blest, indeed, the world is mine.
Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,
Two ears to hear all I should know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I'm blest, indeed, the world is mine.
"I want to daily review my blessings, one by one, with a grateful heart."
— beulah
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