Sam's Custom Bookmark

Sam had many bookmarks that he has collected over the years. He had just celebrated his 75th birthday, and a surprise birthday party was held for him.

Needless to say, trying to figure out what to buy Sam was a challenge as he desired very little, and he needed nothing. He loved to read, and had a huge collection of books. But, to buy him a book seemed impossible, as I did not know which books he had. So, when I found a custom bookmark made by a local craftsperson, I thought it was perfect.

The custom bookmark had the following saying written on it:
"For to live is to function. That is all there is in living." Sam opened my present and smiled. "Where did you get this?" he asked. I told him about the craftsperson that made bookmarks.

He went on to tell me that this saying was written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.. He told me that it was part of the words spoken by Mr. Holmes when he turned ninety. He then went and got a newspaper clipping that had Mr. Holmes words written at ninety:

The riders in a race do not stop short when they reach the goal. There is a little finishing canter before coming to a standstill. There is time to hear the kind voice of friends and to say to one's self: 'The work is done" But just as one says that, the answer comes: "The race is over, but the work never is done while the power to work remains"' "The canter that brings you to a standstill need not be only coming to rest. It cannot be, while you still live. For to live is to function. That is all there is in living.