Did You Ever Poem by LONDIS CARPENTER

Did you ever climb a mountain, or strive to do your best
To raise yourself above the clouds and reach the highest crest;
And when your alpine goal grew near so high your heart could stop,
It seemed the last five hundred yards were further from the top?

Did you ever start a journey to a place you've never been?
You traveled far and wide, discovered things you've never seen.
And when your destination came in view around the bend,
The hardest part was for your heart to take you to the end.

Did you ever live a story of deeds so brave and bold
You never knew could come from you, nor ever dare be told?
But the message you were sending to your kinfolk and your friends
Could only have real meaning by how well the story ends.

Everybody has a story, so I won't tell you mine.
Everybody has a mountain they think they need to climb.
Everybody has a journey, someplace they need to go;
But when the end seems out of reach that's when they need to know:

When you're climbing up your mountain and you're footsteps seem unsure,
When the path on which you're travelling seems too hard to endure;
Remember that the final mile, so often left undone,
Is the hardest part so don't lose heart...your victory's nearly won!