Dan used to send out the annual Christmas Rankow family newsletter as a poem. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes corny, always poignant and a joy to receive.
After he died this Summer, his family were sorting through his things and found a hand-written poem from when he was a young man. In his absence, and his honour, I wanted to share it on this first Christmas without him.
Living & Giving
By Dan Rankow
Whatever you give away today, or think, or say, or do,
By Dan Rankow
Whatever you give away today, or think, or say, or do,
Will multiply about tenfold and then return to you;
It may not come immediately nor from the obvious source,
It may not come immediately nor from the obvious source,
But the law applies unfailingly, through some invisible force;
Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion,
Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion,
Will surely bounce right back at you, in some clear or secret fashion;
If we speak about some person, a word of praise or two,
If we speak about some person, a word of praise or two,
Soon tens of other people will speak kind words to you;
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain,
Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain,
Kind ones bring us happiness, petty ones untold pain;
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror,
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror,
With hate you send, hate you will get back, but loving brings love nearer;
Remember as you start this day, and duty clouds your mind,
That kindness comes so quickly back, to those who first are kind;
Let that thought and this one, direct you through each day,
Let that thought and this one, direct you through each day,
The only things we ever teach, are the things we give away.
