These are the lessons I would learn, br Not how to climb above all men, br Not how the greatest sums to earn, br Not how to wield a master pen; br But I would learn how I can be br A little kinder than before, br How I can live more patiently br And help my friends a little more. br br And I would learn to better show br My gratitude for favors had, br To see more of the good below br And less of what I think is bad. br To live not always in the day br To come, and count the joys to be, br But to remember, as I stray, br The past and what it brought to me. br br To judge my life, not from today, br Nor what tomorrow it may mean, br But from each footstep of the way br And from each pleasure that has been, br Remembering in each present woe br The love and laughter I have known; br And to be grateful as I go, br For joys that once I called my own. br br These are lessons I would learn: br To be as brave in grief and care br As I am when it is my turn br To tread the road where all is fair. br More grateful I would learn to be br For what has been, as on I tread, br And to press forward cheerfully. br Content to face what lies ahead.