A 'Cranky Old Man' Dies And Nurses Find A Surprise
GodUpdates Contributor
February 05, 2016
The Cranky Old Man
The emotional poem you'll find below is not new. The Sunday Post says it has actually been around for more than 40 years. But the poem has found new life a few times over, with the back story changing over the years. The version most currently making the rounds on social media is often referred to as "The Cranky Old Man." In it, a lonely old man in a nursing home passes away. While the nurses are cleaning the room, they happen up a poem he had written, which gives them an entirely different view of the man they'd so often dismissed as "the cranky old man." [rsnippet id="3" name="Article-Ad"] While the story behind the creation of the poem may be fictional, the message is no less powerful because of it.Like many inspiring movies and books, this short story may be fictional. However, the impact that this work will have on its readers is very real. Enjoy!
Credit: ThinkStock What do you see nurses? What do you see? What are you thinking, when you look at me? A cranky old man, not very wise, Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes? Who dribbles his food and makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!" Who seems not to notice, the things that you do. And forever is losing... a sock or a shoe? Who, resisting or not lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see? Then open you eyes, nurse. You're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will. I'm a small child of 10, with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters, who love one another. A young boy of sixteen, with wings on his feet Dreaming that soon now, a lover he'll meet. A groom soon at twenty, my heart gives a leap, Remembering the vows, that I promised to keep. At 25, now I have young of my own, Who need me to guide, and a secure happy home. A man of thirty, my young now grown fast, Bound to each other, with ties that should last. At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone, But my woman is beside me, to see that I don't mourn. At fifty once more, babies play 'round my knee, Again we know children, my loved one and me. Dark days are upon me, my wife is now dead. I look at the future, I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing young of their own, And I think of the years, and the love that I've known. I'm now an old man, and nature is cruel, It's jest to make old age look like a fool. The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart, There is now a stone, where once I had a heart. But inside this old carcass a young man still dwells, And now and again, my battered heart swells. I remember the joys, I remember the pain, And I'm loving and living, life over again. I think of the years, all too few, gone too fast, And accept the stark fact that nothing can last. So open your eyes, people, open and see: Not a cranky old man, Look closer, see ME! [rsnippet id="2" name="ArticleAd-300x250-3"]
Our elders should be respected, but the sad fact is that you can find many like the man portrayed in this fictional story. It's easy to brush off those who seem grouchy or abrupt. But the next time you encounter someone like this, take a step back try to look a little closer. Try to see what may be behind the gruff exterior. Is there someone in your life who could use a little extra kindness? The widow at church? The reclusive neighbor down the street? Maybe even someone in your family? Pray on it, and let God guide you to the person that needs a little extra love today.
"Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent." Psalm 71:9
Here's another touching tale about a marine who held a dying man's hand!
h/t: HeftyDon't miss this moving parable about a father's love!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Making Career Decisions -Your Daily Prayer- March 27
Instead of being guided by fear and others' opinions, we should let faith shape our decisions, boldly pursuing God's calling with confidence and humility.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Making Career Decisions -Your Daily Prayer- March 27
Instead of being guided by fear and others' opinions, we should let faith shape our decisions, boldly pursuing God's calling with confidence and humility.
Past Stories
March 2025
- Four-Year-Old Sends Out a Message in a Bottle, Receives Reply Less Than Two Weeks Later
- Delivery Driver Saves Woman's Life After Double Checking When Something Didn't Seem Right
- Woman in Heels Stops Robbery at Convenience Store With Her Impressive Martial Arts Skills
- Man That Survived More Than 90 Days at Sea Thought About His Mother Every Single Day
- Quick Thinking 9-Year-Old Saves Choking Friend During Snack Time Emergency
- Video Store Owner Creates 'Christina's Corner' For a Long-Time Customer
- Texas Man Gets Married in the Hospital After Kidney Transplant
- A Bride to Be and Her Best Friend Have Plane to Themselves and Enjoy Every Minute of it
- Dogs Come to School to Help Comfort Young Students Affected by the Eaton Fire
- Toddler Braves the Dark to Save His Great-Grandma
- All Four of These Best Friends Now Live On the Same Street and It's Amazing
- Woman Finds the Most Precious Message Inside Her Thrift Store Purchase
- Mom is Hit By a Piece of Power Tool On Her Way to Walt Disney World
- Veteran Who Loved Burger King Honored With His Own Chair
- Toddler Using Old Phone Calls 911 For Donuts and Gets a Sweet Surprise
- Hospital Hosts Special Father-Daughter Dance for Young Girl Who Missed the One at Her School
- Carl Thomas Dean, Dolly Parton's Husband of Almost 60 Years, Passes Away at 82
- Woman Donates Her Kidney to Help Save Prom Date From 35 Years Ago
- Couple Thank and Befriend Man Who Saved Their House From a Wildfire
- After 84 Years of Marriage, This Couple Just Broke a Record, and Share Some Great Advice
- Woman Gives Birth On Plane With the Help of a Flight Attendant
- Married For 68 Years, This Husband Does This Simple Sweet Thing For His Wife Every Night
February 2025
- A Couple in Their 90s Spent 73 Years Apart, Now They Are Engaged
- Woman Reunites With Toddler She Saved From Drowning Back in 1961
- Three Superhero Teens Saved Man on Railroad Tracks After Spotting Him From Their Classroom
- Father and Son Are Able to Survive Night in the Utah Wilderness After Finding a Backpack
- Top Resurrection Sunday Songs You Must Listen To This Year
- Grumpy Grey Seal Takes Over Hotel Room in the Netherlands, To Take a Nap
- His Dog Was Lost For Almost a Decade, But Now He is Back Home Again
- Rejoice with These Top Easter Songs for Worship and Praise
- After Going On a Fun Airport Journey, A Lost Stuffed Bunny Finds Its Way Back Home
- A Bull Rider Knows That God Has Bigger Plans After Taking a Bull's Horn In His Neck
- 98-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Has a Special Connection to Her Great-Granddaughter
- Mom Receives a Heartwarming Message From Best Friend After Son is Diagnosed With Autism
- Retired Army Medic Pays For Stranger's Breakfast and Leaves a Heartfelt Note
- Golden Retriever Saved by Lifeboat Crew After Running Into the Ocean After a Scare
- 10-Year-Old Boy is in Recovery After Being Struck by Plane Debris While Protecting Little Sister
- Car Accident on First Date Night Without Kids in a Year, Reminds Couple That God is in Control
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
January 2025
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'Southern Gospel' Awe-Inspiring Live Performance
Crowder Crowder's 'Grave Robber' Catchy And Upbeat Tune About The Difference God Makes
Danny Gokey Danny Gokey 'Sound Of Heaven' Official Music Video
Housefires 🔥 Housefires’ Soul-Stirring ‘Holy Forever’ Cover
Kari Jobe Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe ‘Firm Foundation (He Won’t)’ and ‘Great Are You Lord’ Live Performance
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.