Born For Greatness

He felt early on he had it within him to be great,
that he was destined to achieve greatness one day.
Just how wasn’t clear. He would just have to wait
for his opportunity to excel in some spectacular way.

Maybe he would become a celebrated war hero,
a brave leader of men against impossible odds.
Maybe cure cancer, reduce its mortality rate to zero.
Or uncover evil lurking behind industries’ facades.

He had an ordinary childhood, grew into a man.
He went about his life, ever ready for his chance
to do something great, ever confident Fate’s plan
held greatness for him, his reputation to enhance.

He graduated college, took a job as a schoolteacher.
Soon came marriage, followed by his daughter’s birth.
The years rolled by, each having as its main feature
the ordinariness of his life. Of greatness, he felt a dearth.

Dedication to his work, devotion to his family filled
his days. He was friend to all, a caring, generous man.
He provided a loving home, although he couldn’t build
his wife a fancy house. And they had to drive an old van.

Decades passed … roared by as he did the best he could
to remain a loving husband, a concerned father, and a fair
and conscientious teacher. Periodically, the man would
reflect upon never showing greatness, and he would despair.

Old age and retirement arrived. The man had lived a rich
life, but rather unremarkable, totally ordinary some would say.
As he lay dying, he thought there was nothing he would switch
if he could live it again … except achieve greatness in some way.

Hundreds turned out for his funeral. All had the same to say.
“He was the greatest teacher I ever had. He was first-rate!”
“He was a great friend to me. I shall think of him every day.”
The man never did one great act. He lived his whole life great.


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http://www.amazon.com/Jr.-Harry-E.-Gilleland/e/B004SVLY02/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0