The Road Not Taken – Verse 199

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
 
by Robert Frost

To Laugh Often and Much – Verse 198

To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of the 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 that one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded.

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love Lives On – Verse 197

Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one's gone.
Those we love can never be
more than a thought apart,
far as long as there is memory,
they'll live on in the heart.

Those We Love Must Someday Pass – Verse 196

Those we love must someday pass beyond our present sight...
Must leave us and the world we know without their radiant light.
But we know that like a candle their lovely light will surely shine
to brighten up another place more perfect... more divine.
And in the realm of Heaven where they shine so warm and bright.
Our loved ones live forevermore in God’s eternal light.

Ten Commandments for Fishing – Verse 195

Thou shalt have no other sports before fishing.
Thou shalt proudly boast of thy catch.
Thou shalt exaggerate wildly about the one that got away.
Thou shalt no sleep past dawn.
Thou shalt clean thy own catch.
Thou shalt not give away the secret of thy success.
Thou shalt honor the ones too smart to be caught.
Thou shalt practice the sport as often as possible.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s reel.
Thou shalt not reveal the source of thy catch.
Thou shalt give thanks to God, creator of all nature, for the catch of the day.

Walk Alone – Verse 194

Should you go first and I remain,
to walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memories garden, dear,
with happy days we’ve known.
In spring I’ll wait for roses red,
when faded, the lilacs blue.
In early fall when brown leaves fall,
I’ll catch a glimpse of you.
I’ll hear your voice, I’ll see your smile,
though blindly I may grope,
the memory of your helping hand
will buoy me on with hope.
Should you go first and I remain,
one thing I’ll have you do:
walk slowly down that long long path,
for soon I’ll follow you.
I want to know each step you take,
so I may take the same.
For someday down that lonely road,
you’ll hear me call your name.

Your Gentle Face and Patient Smile – Verse 193

Your gentle face and patient smile.
With sadness we recall
you had a kindly word for each
and died beloved by all.
The voice is mute and stilled
the heart that loved us well and true.
Ah, bitter was the trial to part
from one so good as you.
You are not forgotten loved one
nor will you ever be as long as life
and memory last we will remember thee.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
as time goes by we miss you more,
your loving smile, your gentle face
no one can fill your vacant place.

God Needed an Angel in Heaven – Verse 192

God needed an angel in heaven
to stand at the Savior’s feet;
His choice must be the rarest
a lily pure and sweet.
He gazed upon the mighty throng
then stopped and picked the best,
our child was His chosen one
with Jesus she’s[he’s] now at rest.

The Golfers Prayer – Verse 191

Now I Lay Me Down
To Sleep I Pray The Lord
My Life To Keep
Though I Know You’ll
Eventually Take My Soul
Please Let Me Prepare
At The 19th Hole!

Golfers Prayer – Verse 190

“Almighty God, as we play through our 18 holes of life, we pray that you will give us a drive that’s both long enough to reach our goals, and yet straight enough to keep us out of trouble.

“Help us avoid the traps and hazards of life; nevertheless, should we find ourselves in them, give us the tools, skills and desire to escape them with no penalty. May we always stay in bounds.”

“Help us to be willing to stand by - and not play through - those in genuine need. May we always play with honor.”

“And finally, when we’ve putted out on the 18th green, we pray that we will have demonstrated the integrity of our character, so that you will judge us worthy enough to join your threesome and play eternally on your heavenly course. Amen.”

Guardian Angel – Verse 189

Guardian Angel from
heaven so bright,
watching beside me
to lead me aright,
fold thy wings round me,
and guard me with love,
softly sing songs to me
of heaven above.
Amen.

The Blessing of St. Francis of Assisi – Verse 187

The Lord bless you
and keep you.
May He show His face
to you and have mercy.
May He turn His countenance
to you and give you peace.
The Lord bless you!