to realize....

To realize the value of a sister/brotherAsk someoneWho doesn't have one.

To realize the value of ten years:Ask a newlyDivorced couple.

To realize the value of four years:Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year:Ask a student whoHas failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months:Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month:Ask a motherWho has given birth toA premature baby....

To realize the value of one week:Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute:Ask a personWho has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second:Ask a personWho has survived an accident. Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more whenYou can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.

words.

if you stare at it long enough/the mountain becomes unclimbable./tally it up. how time have you spent/waiting for the soup to cool? icicles hang from january gutters/only as long as they can. fingers pause above the piano keys for the chord/that will not form. slam them down/i say. make music of what you can.

~Charles Rafferty, from "Against Hesitation"