The Symphony of My Soul

 

My dear mother chose her own epitaph at her funeral. The words below are carved on the back of a head stone at the cemetery where my mom and dad now rest. While the author is unknown, it is a philosophy that she lived by throughout her life, especially toward the end. It bears repeating and revisiting often, so I record it here for all to carry forward the wisdom of her remarkable life.

To be thankful for each new day and to put into it

and get out of it, all the good I can

To give, expecting nothing in return

To help bear the burdens of others

without burdening them with mine

To know enough sorrow and be able to sympathize

To know enough sin to direct others in the right path

To be blessed with enough of this world's goods

and be satisfied with what I have

To look to nature for my spiritual sermon

and my daily lesson

To take care of the present

and let the past and future take care of themselves

To live each day as if it were my last

This is the philosophy of my life

and the symphony of my soul