Friday 22 June 2007

This is something I have to share.

My youngest cousin sent this earlier, and boy did it tug at the heart strings. I was supposed to send it on as an e-mail, but I thought the impact would be as good on here. Feel free to forward it on.
This poem was written by a terminally ill young teenage girl in a New York hospital. It was sent by her doctor. Make sure you read the closing statement after the poem.

SLOW DANCE.

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go round?

Or listen to the rain
Slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading light?

You better slow down.
Don't dance too fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?

When you ask,"How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Because you never had time
To call and say, "Hi?"

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day.
It's like an unopened gift.........
Thrown away.

Life is not a race, do take it slower
Hear the music, before the song is over.

This young girl has 6 months to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their lives to the fullest, since she never will.

American Cancer Society will donate 3 cents per name to her treatment plan.

So, to those people I sent the e-mail to, send it on. If you didn't get the e- mail, let me know, and I'll send it.

10 comments:

Beccy said...

What a thought provoking poem John and so true.

Pat said...

God bless that little girl and we should all take note.

Anonymous said...

John, be careful. I have had four similar emails in the last three weeks. Sentimental poems etc. written by dying "children" pleading with me to send donations to set up funds to help similar "terminally ill children". One poem was supposed to be written by a 8 yr old indian girl (a picture if this girl was included, with big brown pleading eyes). The poem was so well written that it couldn't possibly have been composed by a "dying, 8 yr old".

Now that the Nigerian-Transfer-My Dead-Husband/Wife/Fathers -15,000,000usd-To-Your-Bank-Account" scam has been exposed it looks like the con artists are trying a new line.

I'm not saying that all pleading poems are fake, but just don't answer unless you are really sure that they are genuine.

Anonymous said...

Postscript: I agree that they pull at the heartstrings, and even make strong men weep. I must admit I was nearly taken in by the first one I received almost ready to get my debit card out to send a few bob, then I read an article in the newspaper about internet scams that brought me back to earth with a bump. "Silly sentimental old bugger" I thought, "nearly got caught that time!"

Unknown said...

Keith, thanks for the concern, but this didn't ask for anything.

Pat said...

Keith: I, like most people have charities I support and I have made it a rule (which I have just broken but don't intend to again) not to give on line. I don't think the charities suffer and it makes it easier for me.

Anonymous said...

John - "..this didn't ask for anything".
Yet! This is the "softener". Be patient, the next one could be the heart-rending plea for help.

Unknown said...

Then they can f*ck off! It was a nice poem though.

The Aunt said...

I've received it before by email. Well over 6 months ago. In French.

P.S. Have just noticed you've blogrolled me! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Aunty, that was ages ago. Shows how much attention you pay! lol.