The World of Grandpa Don

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Bilbo's Poem

I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.

For still there are many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think,
of people long ago,
and people who will see a world
that I will never know.

But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.

J. R. R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings

This is the poem of very old Bilbo as he bids farewell to Frodo and others as they leave on a long journey. 

It struck a chord deep inside me. 

I want to note that I have many returning feet and voices at the door, both 'in the flesh' and many new electronic friends. Well no, they are 'real' friends but they arrive by email.

However, we should try to remember the many elderly who, not being as fortunate as I, are just waiting for that friendly voice and some words of comfort.