One fine morning you wake

and realize

another year has passed

that you have cried more tears

smiled more smiles

and laughed

That the sun rose and set

tides came in and out

the birds sang in praise

Another year of

hearing your favorite song

on the radio

of coming around a corner

and seeing a view

you never expected

the smell of fresh-mown grass

the feel of spring rains

the taste of a snowflake

and you got to be there

for all of it

Another year

of making new friends

enjoying the old

and saying good-bye to some

Of pancakes and popsicles

of cold drinks on hot days

and hot drinks on cold days

Summer nights

and winter days

A year where

you've had the ability

to help someone who is down

feed someone

who was hungry

and hug someone

who just needed to know

someone cared

A year to be

a blessing

not a curse

to teach love in all

your actions

and feel it reflected

in your life

A birthday is our celebration

of gratitude

that each day we live

our lives are filled with gifts

and that we

can be the greatest gift

we give to the world

And another year lived

was another chance

Today begins

a year of opportunity

for you!