Praying For Just One More Tomorrow: A Poem
The wrinkled old woman lay in the Hospital bed,
In the dark, she started thinking about her life,
She was thinking of all the times she had said:
Tomorrow is another day, I’ll do it then.
Tomorrow, I’ll write that letter of apology
To my old friend whose feelings I know I hurt,
I’ll call my daughter because it’s been a long time,
And ask how many children she has.
Tomorrow, I’ll get out and weed the garden
Maybe put in some pretty flowers,
While I’m out there, I’ll speak to my neighbor,
I haven’t talked to her in a very long time.
Tomorrow, I’ll go over and visit the shut-in next door,
I’ll offer to help her with some chores around her house,
I’ve really been meaning to do that,
Just haven’t found the time, I guess.
Tomorrow, I’m going to pick up those unfinished baby booties,
The ones I started to knit for a Granddaughter months ago,
I’ll have to guess at the size; she may be too big for these now,
While I’m at it, I’ll finish the colorful afghan for my sofa,
Tomorrow, I’ll get in my messy kitchen,
And bake that cake I’ve been meaning to try,
I'd really like to share it with my family,
If I can get them to come over for coffee and cake.
Tomorrow, I think I’ll start that diet,
The one everyone is talking about,
I think I start using face creams, too
I’ll try to dress a little nicer and not be so sloppy.
Tomorrow, I might go into town and see a movie show,
That would be so relaxing; they tell me they’re in color now,
I’ve been meaning to try out that machine my son gave me,
So I can record the shows on TV I'd like to see.
Tomorrow, I’m going to get out my paper and pen,
And write a letter to someone; maybe they’ll write me back,
I’ll try and find that big piece of canvas I bought,
And paint something, because I was once told I had talent.
Tomorrow, I think I’ll start cooking again,
I used to cook, but I had family way back then,
Think I’ll go shopping, and cook a nice dinner,
I’ll bet my family would come if I just asked them.
Tomorrow, I’m going to read one of the new books I bought,
And maybe work some crossword puzzles, too,
They say that’s good for the brain, and I need that,
It's hard to read with these half blind old eyes, but I'll try.
Tomorrow, I’m going to pray more and be more thankful,
Do you think God will remember me?
I was told once that I was a good writer,
I’ll start that novel that was going to be a best seller.
Tomorrow, I’ll sit down at the old piano,
Wonder if I can still play?
It’ll be hard to read music now,
I might can if I wear the new glasses still in their case.
Tomorrow, I’ll go and visit the cemetery where you are,
And tell you how very sorry I am,
For never telling you how much I really loved you,
And asking your forgiveness for being too proud.
She lay there dreaming about tomorrow,
About how she would do things differently,
She knew she’d need help from Above,
If she was to get out of this bed.
So, she began to pray sincerely,
Oh, God, please just give me one more tomorrow, and I will do it then.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW: DO IT TODAY!
“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday, and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”
Dalai Lama
Do you find yourself praying for just one more Tomorrow?
© 2015 Mary Hyatt
Comments
So sorry to hear of Mary's passing. I'm glad I chose this poem of hers to read today.
'...hang on till tomorrow, come what may...' That seems to be what all of us must do at some time or other. There is so much sense of sadness here - it is a good push toward 'getting it done'. Thank you for your 'full of reminders' hub!
What a beautiful poem, Ms. Mary! (I love the top photo!) I must agree that we shouldn't put off for tomorrow the noble deeds we could do TODAY.
Thanks for this reminder!
Such good advice! My friend just told me of an old professor he intended to visit. They live about 5 miles apart, but he always thought he'd visit --tomorrow. When he eventually did, the professor seemingly had moved away. When he tried to find him online, he found IN MEMORIAM. My friend has since changed his perspective on tomorrow--me too. Thanks for this message.
Mary, Congratulations on winning Jo_Goldsmith's April 15th gold award, I should have nominated you for this, I am so thankful that Jo found it. It is deserved.
This is just beautiful!~ And it is a reaffirmation of spending today with those you love, making sure if tomorrow never comes. We will not leave with regret. I am glad I found this today. And I share this today because you are awesome everyday! Beautiful, useful, interesting..is how I voted.
Up she goes. Hope there is a tomorrow so that I may visit and be blessed again. Thank you for writing this.
A beautiful poem. It is sad how we put off things for another day. We procrastinate or are just too busy in life. The sad part is that many die before they do the things they wish to do. At this time in my life, both my husband and I are caring for family members or worried about family members who aren't well and although that is what families do, when is our time to enjoy life? There is just too much stress and I truly believe that is why many of us don't do the things we want to do. Life can be hard.
Dear Mary, beautiful poem with a strong a very inspiring message in it. Thanks for this wonderful share here.
Great poem, words of wisdom to be followed. Today is the day because tomorrow never comes.
At least the comments seem to be registering OK today Mary. The shares seem to be working OK also. Hope it lasts. These thoughts of yours are definitely worth sharing! Hope you will be having a wonderful day today.
We have some carpet cleaning on our "to do" list to accomplish today.
I am back to G+ this.
i pray for everyday, don't know what will happen but always stay positive
Not quite frozen solid, just cold and we are getting some snow right now. It isn't amounting to much and that is a good thing. Hopefully it holds off longer fro Friday and Saturday because my husband is going out of town. I don't want him to be driving through it.
The shares were not working well the other day and seems to be corrected so will share once again. Great reminder of how we should live in the here and now.
Great morale-boosting poem and very wise. God bless you, Mary 615.
Incredible! Prayers are so helpful daily only if you believe. A beautiful poem and with such great meaning.
Sorry it took me so long to get to this. There ae no tomorrows, there are only today's. I loved the poem and more should read this. If you can do it now, why wait. If you can't do it now, hope that the day comes that you do not have to wait. Then that is when you need to ask for patience.
What a beautiful poem with a strong message!
I loved the way you said it simply that we must do what we want to do, today itself. A message which must be followed by one and all.
Loved the quote, “There are only two days in the year----- so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live.”
Thanks for sharing, voted up and sharing on HP!
Congratulations for publishing your 100th hub!
Oh how I love this. It's so easy to get caught up on "what will happen" VS what IS happening right now!! Great Hub! voting up and fabulous Mary!
Yup!! Do it today--you hit the nail on the head with this Mary!
Mary, this is just beautiful, but sad, "never put off till tomorrow, what you can do today." that was my grandmother's saying.
voted up, UABI and shared
Wonderful message. Live each day as if its you last!
Mary, you're poem has put me to shame. Today is my birthday and I'm not waiting till tomorrow to make some changes. I will start today. Thank you for the kick up the backside. :)
Even though some of us say, "the sun will come out tomorrow," this poem gives a powerful message of how relying too heavily on 'tomorrow' we can miss what is happening today. This is a great poem you have written here with a timeless and classic message.
That is so true, Mary. In the autumn of our lives we do realize we have not gotten everything done we hoped to do or should have done...kind of the shoulda' woulda' coulda' notion.
It is like the Kenny Chesney song ...everyone wants to go to heaven ....but nobody wanna' go now....
One thing that the illness in my family has taught us is to do it now!!! Sat it NOW. Because that 'tomorrow' is promised to no one, regardlesss of their age.
Beautifully shared, Mary
Voted up++++ shared and g+
Beautiful! One of these days, there will be no more tomorrows for each one of us, so we need to do and say important things today. I love your message and your delivery. A perfect song that could complement this hub would be Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes."
Lovely poem, full of truth! Loved it! Thank you for sharing it with us all here
Your lovely poem is a very important reminder to us all, Mary. Thank you for sharing it. Congratulations on 100 hubs!
I loved this - made my day!
Profound and very sobering, this is a well needed reality check and very well done!
A very good lesson to us all. We can only guess at the ones who never saw that tomorrow to do what they knew they should. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mary,
It is never too often to be reminded that we never know what our tomorrows may bring so we should live in the present and make it count. Lovely poem with a strong message. All kinds of up votes + sharing.
This is beautiful, Mary! It sure can get a person to thinking. Well done!
Mary this is great and so true. It is a short trip and if you don't look at the time, it will all pass you by. Poignant words. :)
I was sure I commented on this Mary, maybe it was on Facebook. Anyway great poem and congratulations on 100 hubs. Great achievement.
Hi mary, awesome poem and so true for everybody on this earth, we should always do things 'today' as you said, because tomorrow may be to late, wonderful!
Congrats of your 100th hub! Excellent topic! I live one day at a time. What ever happens, will happen, I try not to sweat the small stuff. Enjoy your weekend! :)
Wow, Mary, powerful stuff here! Yes, none are guaranteed a tomorrow. Today is the day to live and do and love no doubt. You really brought the message home here through your profound words.
Up ++++ tweeting, pinning, G+ and sharing
God bless you
Mary - I read this first thing this morning and it really gave me a jolt. a reminder to appreciate today and to cram into life as much as possible. To reach out and not put those little but important things off. Have to admit the older I get the quicker the days seem to pass and perhaps I am guilty of not making the most of each moment. A valuable lesson this morning. Thank you.
Voted up and awesome. Just wonderful and so heartfelt Mary. Tomorrow is promised to no one so I pray each day and live life to the fullest. Hugs to you for this most wonderful poem and great reminder not to leave things undone. Passing this on.
Great poem. Like that quote about only 2 days in the year! Yes, today is the day.
This is the universal truth...we always say, tomorrow (or later). Why not now? Right here, right now.
I enjoyed this along with the music choice.
Hi Mary, I have written a similar poem One More Chance yesterday quite some time back that is astonishingly similar to your poem. Nice poem anyway.
This is a beautiful reminder to do the things we've neglected to do. Tomorrow may not come. I love this. Thank you Mary.
Hello Mary, this is an anthem for all of us.
No, I don't pray for one more tomorrow. I'm fully aware of my age and my diminishing days, and today will be the best day I can make it. Love the message here, my friend. Carpe diem!
Mary there is no other way to describe this but beautiful! How many times are we told not to put off till tomorrow what we can do today and yet, we do. We also think we can do it tomorrow but tomorrow never comes.
Well done my friend. Certainly much to think about!
Voted up, awesome, beautiful, and interesting.
Great hub about asking the heavenly Father for another day.
A wonderful hub of not to take your life for granted, we came to this planet without our assistance, and many times can leave the same way.
But the one who made us a real possibility
with his dynamic power as his other creations , of sun, moon and stars, love us more then we can ever comprehend.
I love how your poem respects the fact of asking for another day.
I have known terminally ill patients who really some time live longer then what was diagnosed. I believe all answers to all human problems are at our fingertips ,
the bible tells us he has put eternity in our hearts, that is the reason we always plan for tomorrow. We prove this out by planning ahead many things even retirement. Reference Bible
Ec 3:11Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out the work that the [true] God has made from the start to the finish.
Also you are so correct about getting things done while you can today.
Notice what is written
Reference Bible
Ec 9:10All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheʹol, the place to which you are going.
I appreciate your wonderful hub. Because each day we wake up is like God saying another day granted,
Rather we are good people or not he is still merciful.
Voted up .
Wow, Mary. This poem confirms that we must live for today and make the best of it. Tomorrow may never come.
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