Do you remember this day?
It was the stuff of memories – warm, green day going down to soft, firefly dusk.
There was birthday cake and candles that sparked,
carnival colors, snapping to life like the neon pink and green of the ferris wheel we rode -
round and round and round…
(which, of course, tumbled small tummies – Jen, taking the worst – laughing, somehow).
Legendary times.
We watched our little ones watch it all,
eyes wide.
Want to ride?
This one, it goes up and down, best one yet,
so fun,
but each seat only big enough for one.
One?
My little big-girl-baby
watches her tribe-mates climb into yellow planes,
lets go my hand
finds her ride,
climbs in by herself,
and then… what?
The unknown, next, is as big as the Ohio sky.
Something cold begins to move across her heart,
chilling her courage as it goes.
This,
you see.
And I see you,
smoothly at her side,
saying those things
you say to us,
and I see her
tell the fear
there’s no room here,
she’s going on a ride.

May your birthday
be the stuff of memories,
birthday cake and candles,
you are loved round and round and round.

I am thanking Jesus for you, sister-friend,
for what your eyes see,
for your courage toward mercy and truth,
for who you are.
And for the way you laugh too (especially at Mike or in movies), it’s pretty awesome too.
I want to offer to others
what you have always given me.

So – 40! The unknown, next…
It’s going to be the best one yet -
Tina’s going on a ride!

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