A Wonderful OH Poem

This is a poem written by someone on the Over Fifty Forum that is having surgery today.  She did a fantastic job telling our story.  Hope you enjoy it. Floyd

Ode to My OH Friends July 11, 2007 by Jan Smith

 I looked in the mirror, and wanted to cry What had happened to me in the bye and bye? The smile gone sad, the eyes gone bleary The body so big and ever so weary.

Where is the girl with the spring in her step? The one that had fun, with plenty of pep. She's not in the mirror; she's nowhere in sight, What I see now is just a fright.

 I tried and I tried, and sometimes lost some, But sooner or later, the diet was done. And when it was, I ate and I ate, And oh so quickly, took back all that weight.

I said to my Doctor, what do you think? Is there a chance that I ever could shrink? And keep it off long-term, this was my plea, Will the girl inside me never be free?

And he sent me for help, yet it was all up to me. I learned of the tools, and I started to see. But it wasn't that simple, I found out so soon, I needed to learn to sing a new tune.

And that's when I found, to my great delight, At the end of the tunnel, a very bright light. And holding the light, bright and steady to see, Were the people at OH, who were looking for me.

They'd been here before, and knew where I was. And as I walked forward, I heard their applause. They showed me so much of the journey ahead, And helped me to face it, without any dread.

How can I thank them, what can I do? I had nothing to offer, and I started to stew. I had to do something, return in some way, The help I'd been given, day after day. And then an idea began to take hold. I could walk the new walk, and do as I'm told, By doctors and those who've been there before. Though I might feel like hiding and finding the door. I'll do as they say, and take very good care, I'll be healthy and strong, with energy to spare, And after a time, in the mirror will appear That girl who'd been lost and you'll all hear the cheer. And when in that tunnel a new face appears, I'll be there for sure, along with my peers. To do what we can to help them along, And light up the path, to help them be strong. These friends are forever; we'll share as we learn, And yes, when I need it, they'll even be stern. Then, together we'll find, that by using our tool, That food's not in charge, and health is the rule.

What a wonderful poem!  Thank you for sharing it.  I've already printed it out.  :)