An Old Irish Blessing

I received this prayer card from a Catholic high school. It has this really nice old Irish blessing on it. I thought I would post it as my prayer this week, because it is definitely something for which I pray. I also wrote my own prayer in reaction - it is similar, but not identical. I guess you could say it is "inspired" by the blessing that I received in the mail.

Here is the original:

Give me a few friends
who will love me for what I am

And keep ever burning before my vagrant steps
the kindly light of hope

And though I come not within sight of the castle of the dreams
teach me to be thankful for life
and for times olden memories that are good and sweet

And may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.


Now here is my reaction:

Lord,

Grant me the love of friends who appreciate me for who I am
And help me to love and appreciate them.

Though I wander from your path, help me to hope
and to find my way home.

Though I may never achieve all that I wish,
Help me to achieve what you have planned for me.

Teach me to be thankful for your blessings
For the life that I am lucky to live
And for time and the wonderful memories I have created with the ones I love

And when I die, let me be satisfied with my life
a life of goodness and love.

Amen.