When I was 10 my favorite thing in the world was to visit Book World-a quant bookstore thirty miles away in the town of Minocqua. I remember when Blue Mountain Arts released their poetry collections. I loved Helen Steiner Rice and began collecting each book as I could afford them.
When Book World began carrying small wallet cards I was in Heaven. I didn’t have to save as long! I bought several cards throughout the years but one is still in my wallet today. I guess it would be 24-years-old now. The rectangular gold card shares the following poem:
When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill
When funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit
– Author unknown
My ninth grade English teacher required us to memorize and recite this poem. She told us one day we would be glad she did. She was right! I’ve used this poem a great deal and shared it with both of my daughters (now in college and high school). I try to always keep a copy somewhere visible so that I can use it as a pick-me-up on really tough days or during really tough times. I’m so glad to see you share it here.
I’ve had this quote on a plaque on my dresser for years! It has brought me much comfort and encouragement. The other one on my dresser goes like this… “who you are is God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God”. This one helps give me a kick in the pants when I need it! Thanks for sharing your meaningful quotes with us – I found them encouraging as well.