birthdays

it was snowing the night before my 12th birthday
the morning of, my dad asked me to open the curtains

outside - the biggest, most wonderful birthday card i'd ever seen
happy birthday
written in charcoal
across the white
of our backyard
in two languages

my dad

i close my eyes
i can see it clearly
even now

that was one of many wonderful
beautiful childhood birthdays
loved
treasured
special

it's good to feel that way as a little girl

on my 16th birthday
my uncle drove up from california for a surprise visit
he gave me a diamond necklace

that was one of many wonderful
beautiful birthdays i had in my youth
loved
treasured
special

it's good to feel that way as a teenager

it was my birthday three days ago
i awoke to a beautiful breakfast
prepared for me by my husband

outside - on the snow
across the white
of the field
by our house

happy birthday

i cried

that was one of many wonderful
beautiful moments i've had with my husband
loved
treasured
special

it's good to feel that way as a woman