Prayer of an Anonymous AbbessLord thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest Lord that in the end I will need a few friends.Keep me from the recital of endless details give me wings to get to the point.Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains -- they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.I will not ask thee for improved memory only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesnt agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint -- it is so hard to live with some of them -- but a harsh old person is one of the devils masterpieces.Make me sympathetic without being sentimental helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And Lord give me the grace to tell them so.Amen