On this bittersweet of days, I pray that you'll remember
No matter what has happened since May, June or November
The only things that matter are acts of love and kindness.
All else will be forgotten, discarded, left behind us.

The only things that matter are things that are eternal.
All else will be consumed in a fire so infernal
That the only thing remaining will be the love we feel.
Our hearts will all be mended and all our wounds will heal.

The only things that matter, if you stop and really think,
Are things that can be written down in God's "eternal ink".
You see, the angels keep a book to document each day.
They write down all the things we do and everything we say.

But if you try to read a page the only things you'll find
Are the acts of love and mercy and words gentle and kind.
For heaven knows the real truth when all is said and done
The only thing that matters is the love that we have shown.

So when you are deciding how you want to spend your time
Remember what I'm saying in this very simple rhyme.
The only things that matter are acts of love and kindness.
All else will be forgotten, discarded, left behind us.


By Maryann Schultz