Some days, they say,
are really good for taking stock
of all the things
that have gone just the way
you hoped they would go.
“Count your blessings
and be grateful.”

Other times, we might find,
are just right for thought and care
of the things from which
we have been spared,
“Looked like it was headed straight for us
but for some reason
it took a late turn
and went right around.”

I reckon
that even when it feels
like we have surely been cursed,
there’s hardly anything
that couldn’t have been worse.
“I’m just glad we all made it out alive
and are still standing here today
instead of getting swept away and drowned.”

And some have found
that any day
when we have been blessed more than others—
whether by what came or by what didn’t—
is a very good day
for using what we have gained
to help relieve the pain
of those not so blessed.

“I’m eighty-five-years-old
and I’ve never known a time
that I couldn’t find somebody
that had it worse than me.
There’s always someone
that needs the help
if we’re just willing to give it.”

H. Arnett
3/20/19