For all of you who see this each day at work and home.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of value. Later ,while nurses were going through his possessions they found this poem. Crabby Old ManWhat do you see nurses? What do you see?What are you thinking ...when you are looking at me?A crabby old man, not very wise,Uncertain of habit...with faraway eyes?Who dribbles his food..and makes no reply.When you say in a loud voice...I do wish you'd try!Who seems not to notice the things that you do.And forever is losing a sock or a shoe.Who, resisting or not... lets you do as you will,With bathing or feeding...The long day to fill.Is that what your'e thinking? Is that what you see?Then open your eyes nurse, You're not looking at me.I'll tell you who I am,quit smoking now, as I sit here so stillAs I do at your bidding, AsI eat at your will.I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,brothers and sisters, who love one another.A young boy of sixteen with wings on his feet,dreaming that soon now, a lover he'll meet.A groom soon at twenty, my heart gives a leap,remembering the vows I promised to keep.At twenty five now , I have young of my ownWho need me to guide , and a secure, happy home.A man of thirty, my young now grown fast,bound to each other,stop smoking, with ties that should last.At fourty, my children are grown and gone,But my woman is beside me to see I dont mourn.At fifty, once more babies play round my knee,again we know children, my loved one and me.Dark days are on me, my wife is now dead,I look to the future, I shudder with dread.For my young are all rearing young of their ownand i think of the years of love that I've known.I'm now an old man and nature is cruel,Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.The body it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,There is now a stone where I had a heart.But inside this carcass a young guy still dwells,and now and again my battered heart swells.I remember the joys, I remember the painand I'm loving and living life over again.I think of the years,all too few, gone too fast.And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.So open your eyes nurse, Open and see,Not a crabby old man, look closer, See ME!Hats off to you guys who care.