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Isabel Miranda is a remarkable serving professional who calls New Jersey and New York City home. She has a depth of compassion for the young and the old. This Seedlings Blog posting is her adaptation of a prayer offered by a 17th Century Catholic Nun. It will increase our desire to live with greater grace, humility, vision and wisdom. |
An Elder’s Prayer*
As I contemplate I see that I am growing older and will hopefully someday be old.
May I be saved from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion;
May I be released from craving to straighten out everyone’s affairs;
May I be thoughtful but not moody;
With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all; but I do want a few friends at the end.
May I be free from an endless recital of endless details; may I have wings to get to the point;
May my lips be sealed regarding aches and pains, as they are increasing and my love of rehashing them becomes sweeter as the years go by.
May I have grace enough to endure with patience others’ tales of their infirmities;
Although I realize that diminishing memory is a reality, may I have a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. May I understand the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken;
May I be reasonably sweet, I do not want to be a saint, some of them are so hard to live with- but a sour old person is one of the crowning glories of the devil!
May I have the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people and may I have the grace to tell them so!!!
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* Isabel Miranda, an attorney and former trust professional in New York City and New Jersey, was touched by the prayer of a 17th Century nun. She adapted the prayer to create this meditation for seniors who aspire to be elders. |