The following lines were found by a nurse in an old people's ward at Ashludie
Hospital, Monteith, Scotland.  They are passed on as a gentle reminder of what can be easily forgotten:
 

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

What do you see?  Tell me, what do you see?
Who are your seeing when you look at me?
A crabbit old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far away eyes,
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe?
Is that what you're thinking?  Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes for you're not seeing me.

I'll say who I am as I sit here so still,
As I rise at your bidding and eat at your will...
I'm a small child of ten, with a father and mother,
Sisters and brothers who love one another...
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon her true sweetheart she'll meet...
A bride at just twenty, my heart gives a leap.
Remembering the vows I've promised to keep...

At twenty five now, I have bairns of my own,
Who need me to build a secure happy home...
A woman of thirty, my children grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last...
At forty my grown-up sons soon should be gone,
But my man stays beside me to see I don't mourn...
At fifty, once more babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me...

Dark days are upon me...my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
My children are busy with bairns of their own;
I think of the years and the love I have known,
I'm an old woman now, grace and vigour depart,
But thousands of memories live in my heart,
Inside it, you see, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my tired heart swells.
I remember the joy...I think of the pain,
I'm loving and living life over again...
So open your eyes...please open and see,
Not a crabbit old woman...look closer...see ME!
 

WHO WILL TAKE GRANDMA?

Who will take Grandma, who will it be?
All of us want her...I'm sure you'll agree.
Let's call a meeting...let's gather the clan.
Let's get it settled as soon as we can.
In such a big family, there's certainly one
Willing to give her a place in the sun.
Strange how we thought that she'd never wear out,
But see how she walks?  I'ts arthritis no doubt.
Her eyesight is faded, her memory is dim,
She's apt to insist on the silliest whim.
When people get older they become such a care.
She must have a home...but the question is where?
Remember the days when she used to be spry?
Baked her own cookies and made her own pie.
Helped us with lessons and tended our seams,
Kissed away troubles and mended our dreams?
Wonderful Grandma, we all loved her so.
Isn't it dreadful she's no place to go?
One little corner is all she would need.
A shoulder to cry on, a Bible to read.
A chair by the window with the sun shining through
Some pretty spring flowers still covered with dew.
Who'll warm her with love so she won't mind the cold?
Oh who will take Grandmother now that she's old?
What? Nobody wants her!?...Oh yes, there is one,
Willing to give her a place in the sun,
Where she won't have to worry or wonder or doubt
And she won't be our problem to bother about.
Pretty soon now, God will give her a bed,
But who'll dry our tears when dear Grandma is dead?

From Pensioners and Senior Citizens magazine. Canada.
 

BEING OLD

Yes, my body is old
but it's not the real me.
The real me
is as young as you are.
In fact, the real me
never changes.
Yes, I'm trapped in a body
that won't obey me.
But don't let it fool you.
I'm aware of everything around me
and I want to be included.
So don't look at me with pity
or talk to me as you would a child.
Please don't make me feel useless
or ignore me.
I have not changed,
not really.
Time has just taken its toll.
The real me is just like you,
with a need to be recognised
and accepted.
So be patient with me
if I am a little muddled
or deaf,
or need a strong arm to lean on.
For inside I'm flying.
Free and young and mobile.
Please.......
Try to see me
As I really am.

By Carolyn Hooper