THE PATHS NOT TAKEN

There are some things
In life, about which we'll
Always wonder...
But will never know---

They are about the
"Paths not taken."

There is an old wise saw
Which says:
"When you come to a fork
In the road,
Take it."

Pretty wise advice
There...
But what about
The one not taken?

Stay with me---
This is weighty stuff.

The whole future
Of one's life
Depends on... decisions.

Marriages, births, careers,
Lifelong friends, education,
Vistas of knowledge,
Experiences, destinies...

All---
Hang on such choices...
Paths
Taken...or not.

That day, many years ago,
In 1955, when I walked
Out of the Student Center at HSU,
And saw my old friend, Merwin, and
He said:
"How would you like to
be the music director
at my dad's church
this summer?"

Three days later,
I said: "Yes."
It was the Right Choice
of Paths.

At the end of that path
Was my beautiful,
Incredibly talented,
and marvelous wife of
fifty-seven years.

A children's music teacher
For thirty-five...
Known all over...
For her excellence...
And a church pianist
For much longer than that.

At the end of hat path
Were also Alan and Brian,
Connor and Kindell,
the greatest people,
sent from God.

And eventually
Fifty- two years in Albquerque---
The most "enchanted" place
In the world!

Beautiful mountains,
Far-seeing panoramas,
Desert scenes and colors---
Billowing white clouds,
Always cool breezes,
History galore,
Green chillies, burritos, tacos
And the Rio Grande!

My young friends,
Always ask God,
And try to take the
Right paths in life
When you come to
the forks...

Then don't worry
About...
"The paths not taken."
********30*******
BY MIL
09/14/13