1990. At home after school. It had been a tiring day. Not physically, but emotionally. Maybe physically too - given the mind-body connection. Not so much school as home.
What a surprise it was to discover her letter in the pile of mail on the table! She probably sensed what was going on at home, from my behavior at school. Even if she didn't fully know what was going on, she had taken the trouble to sit down and write me a letter! I love her so much for that and I cherish that gesture of friendship deeply.
I don't remember if she'd caught on to the actual situation, but she'd ended her letter with a poem - 'Don't Quit' by Leo Piggot (1931). Here it is. I thought I'd share it with you - don't know when or why or if you might need to read its inspiring and comforting message. One doesn't need a crucible to turn to this poem...
These words, copied down in her firm, pragmatic, determined, left-leaning handwriting brought a smile to my face and new resolve in my heart.
The little, meaningful things friends do for one another! God bless her.
Actually, God has blessed her :), this friend of mine, and rightfully so. Today, this girl with a steel will, loads of charisma, an attractive personality, and great breadths of creativity is a very well known personality in India. Good for her!
Who was Leo Piggott and what happened to him? Well, apart from the fact that he lived in the early 20th century and wrote several inspiring poems....I really don't know, I'm sorry to say. I would have liked to know more of him, but google was unsuccessful this time I'm afraid...or perhaps the Piggotts are very private indeed.
What a surprise it was to discover her letter in the pile of mail on the table! She probably sensed what was going on at home, from my behavior at school. Even if she didn't fully know what was going on, she had taken the trouble to sit down and write me a letter! I love her so much for that and I cherish that gesture of friendship deeply.
I don't remember if she'd caught on to the actual situation, but she'd ended her letter with a poem - 'Don't Quit' by Leo Piggot (1931). Here it is. I thought I'd share it with you - don't know when or why or if you might need to read its inspiring and comforting message. One doesn't need a crucible to turn to this poem...
Don't Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but 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 every one of us sometimes learns;
And many a fellow 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.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
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 afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.
These words, copied down in her firm, pragmatic, determined, left-leaning handwriting brought a smile to my face and new resolve in my heart.
The little, meaningful things friends do for one another! God bless her.
Actually, God has blessed her :), this friend of mine, and rightfully so. Today, this girl with a steel will, loads of charisma, an attractive personality, and great breadths of creativity is a very well known personality in India. Good for her!
Who was Leo Piggott and what happened to him? Well, apart from the fact that he lived in the early 20th century and wrote several inspiring poems....I really don't know, I'm sorry to say. I would have liked to know more of him, but google was unsuccessful this time I'm afraid...or perhaps the Piggotts are very private indeed.
