The House By The Side Of The Road: Poem

This has been a reflective time for me. With spring fast approaching, it reminds me of the renewal of life and of times past. I had posted the “The House By The Side Of The Road” a very long time ago (on my former blog) and thought it worth revisiting.

Easter is a time to reflect, give thanks for our many blessings, spend time with family and friends and to share with others less fortunate. My father was a kind man and would often invite strangers to join us for our Easter feast and spend the day with his family. Many were not in a good way. The meals and fellowship that were offered to these less fortunate people were gratefully accepted. As kids, we would complain about having weird people come to OUR Easter feast and our home.

As I look back, I now understand what a gift that was to ones who shared our table and to us, his (my father) children, as an example of how to treat our fellow man in need. Below is my Father’s favorite poem. Every time I read this poem I am reminded of how much it spoke to who my father was as a human being with his warm and giving heart.

The House by the Side of the Road

by Sam Walter Foss

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn 

In the peace of theirself-content; 

There are souls, like stars, that swell apart, 

In a fellow-less firmament; 

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths

Where highways never ran; 

But let me live by the side of the road 

And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road, 

Where the race of men go by; 

The men who are good and the men who are bad,

 As good and as bad as I.

 I would not sit in the scorner’s seat, 

Or hurl the cynic’s ban; 

Let me live in a house by the side of the road 

And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road, 

By the side of the highway of life, 

The men who press with the ardor of hope, 

The men who are faint with the strife. 

But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears  

Both parts of an infinite plan; 

Let me live in my house by the side of the road  

And be a friend to man.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road 

Where the race of men go by; 

They are good, they are bad, they are weak, 

They are strong, 

Wise, foolish – so am I. 

Then why should I sit in the scorner’s seat 

Or hurl the cynic’s ban? - 

Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

May this spring bring you much happiness and joy.

When you reflect, where does your mind take you? What are some of your family memories that warm your heart?

Life’s journey continues…

If you’ve enjoyed this check out On the Beach, No One Was Watching: Story and A Girl Needs Her Dad.

The House by the Side of the Road

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