I’ve been wondering lately, apropos of nothing, whether or not I’m successful enough. And not getting any clear answers. In some ways, yes. Very. In others, my life is pretty damn pedestrian.
And then I thought of my (sadly late) Aunt Susan and how she defined success.
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
And I was clear again.
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lovely, just lovely…. and yes, you are successful enough….
This is the poem we chose for my Mom’s funeral cards. My sister Patty and I were looking at everything they had available, and when we read this, we said, YES! This is our Mom. And this kind of success is the only thing that matters in the end.
So, so true. This makes me miss my sister ever so much. “Tear”