Nobody ever told me about all the things
that happen to you when you are 83 or on the way.

When I was 21 I thought my friend who was 33
was very old.

When I was 68 a little boy who thought
I was very very old guessed my age
at about a hundred.

And now that I am seriously on the way
to that 100 I don’t want to tell anyone
about those happenings I mentioned above
it might discourage them.

I remember once starting a poem with
If I were God…I went on to say
I’d sweep everything under the carpet
permanently and let everyone in.

And – think about this —
Since I am made in His image
I expect He does that too.

Today I read that St. Padre Pio said
“Whatever wrong you might do
your guardian angel would never leave you.
Pray, hope and don’t worry, worry is useless.
God is merciful and will hear your prayer.”

By Sister M. Rita Prendergast, CCVI.

Poem taken from “Gleanings: Fragments of Life Experiences”.