Inspiration Behind Wylie's Song
Bruce was Wylie’s pediatrician. He would come over after a long day of work and sit with Wylie for a time in his room. He would take a turn reading Harry Potter. I think we were up to the 5th book at that time and then he would go downstairs to the piano and play as much of Wylie’s Song that had presented itself. Being a witness to the emergence of this beautiful song was a privilege. Some how, it gave me strength and I looked forward to hearing the progression as the song emerged although I knew its completion would coincide with Wylie’s death. It’s really hard to describe how it felt and continues to feel to know that my sons’ very being moved a man in such a way to compose music. It’s beautiful, it’s haunting and it captures the essence of the love we all feel for Wylie.
Inspirational Quotes from Some Very Wise Folks
Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. ~Charles Richards
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. ~Braveheart
As you grow older, you’ll find the only things you regret are the things you didn’t do. ~Zachary Scott
Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today. ~James Dean
As if you could kill time without injuring eternity. ~Henry David Thoreau, “Economy,” Walden, 1854
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. ~Abraham Lincoln
There are a million ways to lose a work day, but not even a single way to get one back. ~Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister
Why must conversions always come so late? Why do people always apologize to corpses? ~David Brin
You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted. ~Ruth E. Renkl
You may delay, but time will not. ~Benjamin Franklin
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. ~Annie Dillard, The Writing Life
I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument, while the song I came to sing remains unsung. ~Tagore
Every day of our lives we are on the verge of making those slight changes that would make all the difference. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic’s Notebook, 1960
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die the world cries and you rejoice. ~ Indian Saying
The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. ~ Mark Twain
Carpe diem. Seize the day.
TIS ONLY IN THEIR DREAMS THAT MEN TRULY BE FREE,
‘TWAS ALWAYS THUS, AND ALWAYS THUS WILL BE. -KEATING.
Dead Poets Society reminds us to seize each day and cherish them dearly. Every day opportunities await us and we must decide whether to take the chance or play it safe. I encourage you to take the risks, for nothing is gained without them. It is this “Carpe Diem” spirit to which this page is dedicated. May it live in your heart always.
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
Helen Keller
To the Virgins,
Make Much of Time
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying,
And this same flower that smiles today,
To-morrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
and while ye may, go marry;
For having lost just once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.
-ROBERT HERRICK
1591-1674
THE CHOSEN MOTHERS
by Erma Bombeck
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. “Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard.”
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, “Give her a child with cancer.” The angel is curious. “Why this one God? She’s so happy.” “Exactly” smiles God, “Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.” “But, does she have patience?” asks the angel. “I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it.”
“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence
that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m
going to give her has it’s own world. She has to make it live in her
world an that’s not going to be easy.”
“But, Lord, I don’t think she believes in you.” No matter, I can fix
that.
This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.” The angel gasps -”Selfishness? is that a virtue?” God nods. “If she can’t seperate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see…ignorance, cruelty, prejudice…and allow her to rise above them.” She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side.”
“And what about her patron Saint?” asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, “A mirror will suffice.”
I hope this was enjoyed.
words from “Oh Very Young” – Cat Stevens
Oh Very Young, what will you leave us this time
You’re only dancin’ on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your dads best jeans
Denim blue, faded up to the sky
And though you want them to last forever
You know they never will
(You know they never will)
And the patches make the good-bye harder still.
Oh Very Young what will you leave us this time
There’ll never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
(You know you never will)
And the good-bye makes the journey harder still.
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride, oh,oooooooooooooh
Oh Very Young, what will you leave us this time
You’re only dancin’ on this earth for a short while
Oh Very Young, what will you leave us this time