The
.
g
i
f
t
.
presented
.
a
.
f
a
r
.
greater
.
reward
.
t
h
a
n
.
I
.
imagined
.
before . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
f
o
r
–
–
–
in
.
m
y
.
mind,
.
.
I
.
.
c
a
n
.
still
.
s
e
e
.
that
.
smile . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ the
heart
.
overflowing
.
w
i
t
h
.
warming,
.
joyful
.
pride . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ the
lifelong
.
d
r
e
a
m
.
suddenly
.
realized,
.
.
l
o
n
g
.
.
before
.
t
h
e
.
age,
.
.
w
h
e
n
.
.
youth
.
begins
.
t
o
.
die . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ long
before
.
t
h
e
.
age,
.
.
w
h
e
n
.
.
youth
.
begins
.
t
o
.
die . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
s
o
.
.
.
I
.
hope
.
h
e
.
will
.
take
.
a
.
moment
.
o
f
.
his
.
time,
.
.
t
o
.
.
push
.
h
i
s
.
worries
.
aside . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ to
bathe
.
i
n
.
the
.
luster,
.
.
o
f
.
.
the
.
paradise . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
f
o
r
.
.
.
I
.
know
.
i
t
.
may
.
never
.
g
e
t
.
better . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ no,
it
.
m
a
y
.
never
.
g
e
t
.
better . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
t
h
a
n
–
–
–
in
.
t
h
e
.
place
.
where
.
h
e
.
stands
.
today . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ the
skies
.
never
brighter . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ the
oceans
.
never
warmer . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ the
mood
.
never
higher . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
a
n
d
–
–
–
the
peace
.
never
lighter . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
I
.
know
.
i
t
.
might
.
n-e-v-e-r,
–
–
feel
.
a
s
.
great
.
as
.
i
t
.
does
.
today,
.
.
s
o
.
.
I
.
pray
.
h
e
.
makes
.
t
h
e
.
most
.
o
f
.
it,
.
.
a
n
d
.
.
waltzes
.
w
i
t
h
.
grace . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
before
.
t
h
e
.
color
.
a
n
d
.
the
.
charm,
–
–
begin
.
t
o
.
fade . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
~ I
know
.
t
h
a
t
.
I
.
sure
.
will . . .
–
–
–
.
.
.
f
o
r
–
–
–
the
.
g
i
f
t
.
presented
.
a
.
f
a
r
.
greater
.
reward
.
t
h
a
n
.
I
.
imagined
.
before.
Reflection: This was an inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in August of 2001 in reflection of a nice thing I did for someone to help him achieve his lifelong dream of owning his first home. It was such a wonderful experience for both of us and I am so happy to have been a part of that. It was the second of several big things I did for this person over the years who has been like family to me for the past 27 years. And his life has thrived as a result of these contributions and his own, dedicated efforts, and I could not be happier. One of the most rewarding things for me in life is believing in someone and helping him or her, and then for that person to start thriving on his/her own. I just LOVE it when that happens!