It's that time of the year....

It's that time of the year....

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

At Day’s End

~ John Hall ~

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast,

That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;

Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day, or lose it?  Was it well or sorely spent?

Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,

"You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?"

I posted this on my main blog on Windows Live Spaces in 2008.  I found this poem on a piece of paper in some things that my mom had given me when Jim and I were first married.  I recently moved those posts to Word Press.  Imagine my surprise when I got notification yesterday of a comment on this post.

 

1. Paul Lockhart
Oct 24, 2010 @ 14:45:57

Beth,

Thank you for posting this poem. I’m in Iraq on my fourth deployment and I just got off the phone with my mother in NC. I asked her to locate this poem for me in the remnants of some Boy Scout material that had belonged to my father, my scoutmaster.
I am 43. He died when I was 16, at the age of 48. Going through his old desk one night about 12 years ago, I found this poem photocopied on a few sheets of paper. He’d read it to us many years earlier at some scouting event, so it sounded familiar.
With such as common sort of name, it is hard to tell if online searches point to the correct ‘John Hall.’ I wish I had new information and I’m sorry to ramble, but I can’t THANK YOU enough for posting it.
Being away from home again, you making it available to me online is a blessing.
Also, the “master mason” site mentioned above shows a version of the poem that IS NOT true to the original. Thank you also for keeping it pure.
God Bless you.

Paul Lockhart
US Army Reserve”

I have done some research on this young man without much luck.  To the best of my knowledge he is a pilot.  If by any small chance he is reading this I would like to tell him that I am so grateful for the sacrifice that he and our other military troops are making in their effort to keep America free.  I want him to know that they will all be in my daily prayers.

Red heart  Beth

17 comments:

  1. This brought tears to my eyes Beth, both the poem and Paul's comment. I also hope he comes back as I want to thank him and everyone in harms way for keeping us safe and free. May God bless and be with them each and every minute and bring them home safe!

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  2. Sis How wonderful and how nice that you can touch so many people all over the world. You truly are a special person and we cherish you.
    Blessings to you always..XXOO

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  3. It just sent a shiver down my spine reading this. If he comes back I want to let him know I think and pray for them everyday to come home safe. Also to thank him and all those over there.

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  4. Beth this is a lovely post. How great for you to know you have made someone so happy. Marjie x

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  5. Hi Beth,

    What a wonderful thing to have happened. hugs Nita.

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  6. Hi Beth I loved the poem and I think it would be nice to be able to live up to the sentiments, if only we could keep it in our thoughts and try, But you certainly made someone very happy, the young man, I hope you can find out a bit more about him, and I'm sure he'll rest easier at night knowing that someone else is saying prayers for him.

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  7. Hello Beth,

    I so thoroughly enjoyed reading this post, from the poem to Paul's response to your wonderful postscript. Yet again, you have made me proud to be able to call you a friend.

    God bless,
    Bob

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  8. Beth, it is so nice to hear that one makes a difference with kind words, and actions,even to this young man who is far from home. I had a chill go down my back as I read this story. I then said a prayer for this your man and others like him. May God put a hedge of protection upon him and bring him home safely, along with all those who are fighting for the freedom of us all.
    This is an inspiration to us all to be kind and not just think of ourselves. What the world needs now is Love, Sweet Love.
    God Bless You Beth, and thankyou for your visit and kind words.
    Hope to find you well.
    Hugs, Dianne :)

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  9. This is a teary one! The poem gives much to consider. Then the comment you rec'd...how wonderful that he found it, as it obviously has meaning for him, too.

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  10. Wow! Isn't the internet amazing! It was certainly a wonderful thing that he saw your posting of this poem---the one he'd been looking for. It was fated to be! You certainly touched someone with it. ;)

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  12. How amazing and how dear and wonderful that the posting gave someone back a bit of love by remembering his Dad and where he first heard the poem. I wish I could be as blessed one day too. :-)

    It was meant to be.

    xox

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  13. I remember this posted on WLS. Thanks for posting it again. It is one that never grows old. What a joy for Paul to have read this in Irag so many years after hearing it as a scout. Four tours of duty! Thank you Paul and all our soldiers and thank you Beth. You are a gem!

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  14. this is a beautiful poem to begin with and how awesome you were able to help a brave young man serving in our military! I love how God puts things together like this!!

    betty

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  15. This is a beautiful poems and paul found through the internet and he remember for his father ...
    I am glad you made him happir,I hope you can contact him infuture.
    see you tomorrow,
    Michiko

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  16. Truly beautiful poem Beth and what a wonderful thing to happen.I do so hope you find this young man again Beth I can't put it into words how amazing this is. Hugs Sheila.

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  17. Hi Beth, see you made yourself a nice looking blog background, and I love the header

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