The Clown Prayer

As I stumble through this life

Help me to create more laughter than tears,

Dispense more happiness than gloom,

spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me become so indifferent

that I will fail to see

the wonder in the eyes of a child

or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to

cheer people, make them happy,

and forget at least momentarily all the unpleasantness in their lives.

And, in my final moment, may I hear you whisper;

“When you made my people smile, you made me smile.”

Amen