People Like You
Written December 1947
It’s people like you who make life seem worthwhile.
It’s people like you who help others to smile,
To bury their fears and their worldly cares
And look for the sunshine where naught was before
But sadness and grief and weighty despairs.
It’s people like you who give music its ring.
It’s people like you who help others to sing,
To look for the gay and the bright and the best,
To judge of themselves and look for the ways
Of pushing their joys to the peak of life’s crest.
It’s people like you who have knelt at His feet.
It’s people like you who have learned lessons sweet,
Who cherish each word of the Savior as gold,
Who have learned to be happy by giving their lives
To the service of those whose love has grown cold.
It’s people like you who help me to see
That life isn’t merely a journey for one,
Just thinking of self while others we shun.
I’ve walked at your side with unseeing eyes.
I’ve heard every word without being wise.
I’ve searched for myself for joys I could find,
Learning how terribly hard it could be,
Until I knew you, and I knew I’d been blind.
Gratefully,
Elder “C”
Note from Merlin: I wrote this after I was transferred, leaving Denver Avon behind. I was in a mood where I was remembering all the nice things Sister Avon Allen had done for me, how she made friends so easily and reached out to others. It made me reflect on my life to that point. Was I selfish? Probably. Did I go out of my way to help others. Probably not. I guess I thought it was enough to be a good missionary, to preach the Gospel and baptize. Sister Allen was different. She cared very lovingly for her companion, made friends with members and investigators, and showed she loved the Gospel by how she lived it. We were not in love at this stage but as you can see our friendship was becoming deeper, and feelings like I expressed here would become more than friendship and not quite love. Our “love by mail” had just begun.
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