Friday, January 21, 2022
My all time favourite poem. It seems fitting to use it for Dad.
How Did You Die?
by Edmund Vance Cooke
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there -- that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight -- and why?
And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?
I have always felt this true meaning of this poem was really How Did You Live? or What was your attitude in life?
I feel like Dad did his best. He survived 15 years without Mom and happily found a companionship with Donnie Love and together they found ways to continue to enjoy life. When he knew he wasn't looking after himself properly he checked into a Senior's residence. When he worsened he was happy to transfer to the Davy Home. As long as he was able, he took daily walks outside or on cold days he would walk around inside. He couldn't do anything about what was happening to his brain but he battled the best he could. In this case how he died was not his own choice but how he prepared himself for the end of his life was smart - he never wanted to be a burden. In the end, WHY we make the decisions we do matter.
