I Have Seen

I have seen the world at it's best,
And I have seen this world at it's worst.
I have seen little children walk to school
holding hands with their best friends
along a sunny path with shady trees,
And I have seen them pull each other back on their feet
when they fall down.
I have seen lovers sit on park benches
enjoying the sheer happiness of simply being together,
And I have seen many married couples
looking in each others' eyes with complete trust and faith. 
I have seen mothers carefully prepare nutritious lunch bags
for her children,
And I have seen the surprise and excitement
when her children find an extra snack in those lunch bags of love. 
I have seen fathers sitting on the audience bench
of his children's games and performances
with pride written on his face,
And I have seen the players glance at his/her fathers' face
for support during the game.
I have seen teachers and professors
earnestly passing on their knowledge and ideas to their students 
and those who would listen,
And I have seen many students going back to visit these
teachers and professors many years after they graduate.
I have seen men bend down in their straight suits
to pat a dog's head and feel its soft fur,
And I have seen the loyalty and happiness in these dogs' eyes.
I have seen friends stand up for each other under the harshest consequences,
And I have seen that all these contributions
were appreciated and thanked for.
I have seen people help out strangers they've never met before,
And I have seen the thankfulness and heard the good-hearted
blessings from these strangers.
I have seen little girls picking up flowers by the road and
handing them to their mothers,
And I have seen the mothers place the flowers in the little 
girl's hair and smile at her sweetly.
I have seen elders tell their life tales with happiness 
sparkling in their eyes,
And I have seen the listeners laugh and cry along with these 
most memorable moments of the speakers' life.
I have seen happy tears shed,
And I have seen sad tears shed too.
I have seen the strength of individuals
when they choose to stand together for their common belief,
And I have seen that their determination receive great respect 
if not results.
I have seen brave volunteers rushing about hospitals,
helping lives as if the patients were loved family members,
And I have seen the appreciation for their unselfish deeds.
I have seen soldiers march with pride to defend their country,
And I have seen each member of that country pay tribute
to these brave men and women.
I have seen flowers bloom in the coldest winter,
And I have seen the beauty they add to this world.
I have seen the way old friends smile warmly at each other
after years of loosing contact,
And I have seen past enemies working together
for a newly-found mutual belief or goal.
I have seen teammates crowd together after winning a game,
And I have seen teammates pat each other on the back after loosing a game. 
I have seen a world filled with love, compassion, sympathy and joy
And I am proud to be a part of it.