Gracious God - we are growing older.

Keep us from the fatal habit of thinking that we must say something on every subject.

Release us from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make us thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy.

Keep our mind free from the recital of endless details; give us wings to get to the point.

Seal our lips on our aches and pains — love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

Teach us the glorious lesson that occasionally we may be mistaken.

Keep us reasonably sweet; we do not want to be Saints . . . some of them are so hard to live with . . . but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give us the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people.

And give us grace, 0 Lord, to tell them so!

Amen.