THE MEASURE OF A MAN, by Anonymous

1/2 Posts with Meme/Continued in Comments Below

I had a Wonderful Teacher and Coach in High School Who Truly Believed in Me during the Darkest Moments of my Adolescence.
His Name was Dennis Hanson and He Left to Take Another Job when I was a Junior.
I Invited him to my Graduation but he lived too far away to attend. He did, however, write me a nice letter that included some Inspirational Quotes and Poems that had Given Him Strength Throughout his Life. This was one of those Poems and I have done my best to Honor his Contribution to my Life's Journey by Attempting to Live by the Principles so Wonderfully Expressed Herein:

THE MEASURE OF A MAN
Not--"How did he Die?" But--"How did he Live?"
Not--"What did he Gain?" But--"What did he Give?"
These are the units to Measure the Worth
Of a Man as a Man, Regardless of Birth.
Not--"What was his Station?" But--"Had he a Heart?"
And--"How did he Play his God-Given Part?

Was he ever Ready with a Word of Good Cheer,
To Bring back a Smile, to Banish a Tear?"
Not--"What was his Church?" Nor--"What was his Creed?"
But--"Had he Befriended those really in Need?"
Not--"What did the Sketch in the Newspaper Say?"
But--"How many were Blessed, when He Came Their Way
Mr. Hanson passed away several years ago, but not before I was able to contact him by phone and Thank Him for the Powerful Influence he had on my Life.