Cardinal Cushing Centers

Since 1947, Cardinal Cushing Centers have been a place where children and adults with disabilities have found possibilities, opportunities, and hope: the possibility to achieve greater levels of success in all areas of life; the opportunity to learn in nurturing, innovative and individualized programs; and, the hope that each tomorrow will bring personal fulfillment, new experiences, and shared happiness. Therefore, it is no surprise that the poem “I’m Fine” would be closely and deeply associated with the Cardinal.

In 2011, an old typewritten, faded copy of that poem, was discovered amongst the belongings of a wonderful woman whose life was nearing its end. That poem served as an anthem to her life. Her final wishes were that the family celebrate her life rather than mourn it. Knowing her, she would have wanted her children and grandchildren to share a story and/or memory, one that would bring laughter and joy to those in attendance, rather than sadness. After great thought and careful consideration, her granddaughter, Chloe Temtchine, chose to share the spirit of the poem in song. The performance elegantly honored and captured the essence and spirit of her beloved grandmother.

Ms. Temtchine has recorded the song and made it available to all in the hopes that it would serve as an anthem to those with ailments, disabilities and/or those who simply need inspiration. In honor of the happiness and fulfillment Cardinal Cushing contributed to her beloved grandmother’s life, Ms. Temtchine has graciously committed to contribute 10% of 100% of all the proceeds from the purchase of this song to the Cardinial Cushing Centers.

You may visit iTunes by clicking here for a preview and purchase of this beautiful celebration of life.  The poem is below:

I’m Fine Thank You

There is nothing the matter with me
I’m as healthy as can be.
I have arthritis in both my knees
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze,
My pulse is weak and my blood is thin,
But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

Arch supports I have for my feet,
Or I wouldn’t be able to go on the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I’m all right,
My memory is failing, my head’s in a spin
But I’m awfully well for the shape I’m in.

The moral is this – as my tale I unfold,
That for you and me who are growing old,
It’s better to say, “I’m fine” with a grin,
Than to let folks know the shape we’re in.

How do I know that my youth is all spent?
Well my ‘get up and go’ has got up and went.
But I don’t really mind when I think with a grin,
Of all the grand places ‘my get up’ has been.

Old age is golden, I’ve heard it said,
But sometimes I wonder as I get into bed,
With my ears in the drawer, my teeth in the cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
Ere sleep overtakes me, I think to myself
Is there anything else I could lay on the shelf?

When I was young, my slippers were red;
I could kick my heels right over my head.
When I got older, my slippers were blue;
But still I could dance the whole night through.
But now I am old, my slippers are black;
I walk to the store and puff my way back.

I get up each day and dust off my wits,
And pick up the paper and read the ‘obits’.
If my name is still missing, I know I’m not dead –
So I have a good breakfast and go back to bed.