Crabby Old Man or young guy inside? (author unknown)

I ran across this poem which has a powerful message I think to all care givers but is also a reminder to all of us that each and every person has an on going story to tell, a story worth remembering and a story that impacted and impacts family, friends and the world around them.
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What do you see nurses? What
do you see?
What are you thinking….when you're
looking at me?
A crabby 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 your 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 ten….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 twenty -five, 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 gown,
But my woman beside me…to see 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 am an old man……
And nature is cruel. Tis jest to make old age….
Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles ….grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone….where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass….a young guy still dwells,
And now and again….my battered heart swells.
I remember the joy the joys……I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living…..
Life over again.
I think of the years…all to few…gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact….that nothing can last.
So open your eyes people….open and see…Not a crabby old man.
Look closer….its ME.