Recipe For Golden Retirement Years

Take the years of your retirement

Spice them with your skills

Sprinkle thoroughly with humor

As a cure for all your ills.

Heap high with hearts desire

Your dreams can now come true

Add some wished-for pleasures

You haven't taken time to do.

Just a tiny touch of sadness ---

To enhance your happy years

For joy is so much sweeter

When you have tasted tears.

Now add appreciation

Of friends and family

Seasoned well with love

A joy they'll always be.

Mix well with fun and laughter

Then add a dash or two

Of fantasy and make believe ---

To bring out the spice in you.

Mix all together slowly

Then for variety ---

Add your own imagination

And stir in vigorously

Simmer with nostalgia

While you reminisce

Spoon in a few old memories

Sprinkle well with bliss.

If you follow these instructions

Your golden years will be

The best you ever had

And they'll serve you generously.

Pearl E. Cain