Ruth Howard was a poet, volunteer reading aide and a talented numerologist. At age 60, her outlook on life on life changed completely when she discovered she had been adopted.
After I read Growing, I immediately asked if I could share it. This was pre-internet sometime in the mid 90’s. I had no idea how or who I wanted to share it with, just that it should be.
Ruth knew her poem had helped many people. After telling me a few stories about her students, mainly the teenage boys she had mentored, she gave me permission to share it however I liked. I have showed it to many friends and clients over the years and now I’ll share it online with you.
I have tried to find her again. She was in her 70’s when I first met her, she’d be over 100 now. I also can’t find any sign of Growing ever being published. I honour my memory of her by sharing her poem which was a standout during one of my early growth phases.
Her words touch my heart whenever I read them, I hope you feel it too.
GROWING a poem by Ruth Howard
Have you ever sat and wondered
What makes the world go ’round
What makes some people winners
Whilst others run aground?
Have you ever asked the question
What makes me like I am?
Or just where do I fit in
To life’s eternal plan?
Too oft I gaze at others,
Their goals and aims so clear.
Yet alll that I have come to know
Are Conflict, Strife and Fear.
What must I do to be like them,
To learn to play their game.
Why am I so sensitive
That I run and hide in shame?
Perhaps the answer lies in Me.
Perhaps I have to change.
But how to start – where to begin
is a problem broad in range.
I must believe in myself, I think.
To explore just who I am.
To weigh the pros and cons of me
And learn to say ‘I CAN’.
Perhaps I should be honest
With myself, and THOSE for whom
I CARE
If I could give more love to ME
I’d still have love to share.
But if I blame myself or others
For disappointment and strife,
I stop myself from growing
And waste God’s gift of life.
If I could think of others,
and extend to them MY hand
To know we all have fears
And show I understand.
To know that life is complex
Full of hardships and pain.
But if I fight to be a part of it
The pain is Worth the Gain.
It surely wont be easy
I must take one step at a time.
But if can just get on my feet.
The victory I caim is MINE.
NOW is the time to be courageous.
And learn to have more faith;
In myself as well as others
And to trust the human race.
To become familiar with my strengths
And use them for the best;
And believe in me sufficiently
To put them to the test.
But above all else I must trust
That the best is yet ahead.
To grasp each chance presented
Along Life’s path I tread.
For Life is made of stepping stones,
Experiences of great length.
And each hurdle I jump over
BECOMES MY INNER STRENGTH.
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