As one active oldtimer once said: " If you are not committed to something, you are just occupying space." And so, to be able to face the reality of growing older day by day, gracefully and meaningfully, we share the following prayer:
"Lord, you know better than i that I am growing older and someday will be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
"Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all... but you know Lord, that i want a few friends at the end.
"Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details... give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on the aches and pains. They are increasing and the love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
"I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others, but help me at least to endure them with patience.
"I dare not ask for improve memory but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
"Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint-some of them are so hard to live with-but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.
"Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talent in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so."
--Anonymous