Good Lord! You know better than i not to know, i am growing older and will some day be old. Help me change fatal habits of saying something on every subject at every occasion. Release my craving for straightening out everyone's affairs. Keep me thoughtful but not moody: helpful but not bossy.. Such wisdom Needs using but not all at once: You know Lord, i'll need a few friends in the end.

Keep my mind free from straying in endless details; give me wings to fly to the Point. Open my mind to; Listen for the point! Seal my lips on aches and pains. Give me strength for Love of rehearsing it: It comes sweeter all the Time. i dare not ask for grace as well for enjoying tales of other's pains, but endure those patiently.

i ask not for improved memory, but growing humility; less cock-sureness when my memory clashes with memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, i may be wrong. Keep me sweet; Not perfect and hard to Live with; and not a stingy sour old cow or back bighting bigot either, conniving works of the devil. Refine my abilities for seeing Good Things in unexpected places: Genius in unexpected People: And give me, O Lord, the grace to Say It's So. >>>  

iS Backbiting saying evil things of others in their absence? 
iS Slander telling lies about others with intention of injuring them? 
iS detraction revealing sins of others without necessity?