I Have Failed Indeed

Nearly every day as I do the simple exercises

the physical therapist taught me,

while doing the side-stepping

I sing to myself:

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad

and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

As I feel like doing less and less,

I feel more and more like I have failed indeed.

If I’m not doing anything,

why am I here?

Since I’ve had shingles.

I’ve felt more worthless.

I was sort of saying this to

Becky VanDyke at Fine Arts Club last night,

(forcing myself to go)

She said something like,

“My mother lived to be 92

and I still miss her every single day.

Just to have her with us,

to talk to her,

to feel her presence.”

* 

Is just being here enough?

Have I done Any Good?

--Will L. Thompson 1847-1909