Twenty Days of Comfort: Day 15, "Birthday"

After a year of tumbles and turns, of narrow escapes and sober reflection, of one job ending and another provided, our family gathered around the table in celebration on April 5, 2008. Jordan--beaming with happiness and wondering what all the fuss was about--was celebrating his first birthday.

Birthday

There's a joy contagious to this day

I think to myself

You're one year old today

They say to me

I know little of years, months, days

I think to myself

You bring light to our days

They say to me

Some time ago

Before the world began

The day of my birth 

Was set forth

They call today

A celebration

My family looks back

As we look forward

The sacraments of days

Are brought to table

It does seem strange 

To say we honor

The Maker of the stars

With candles, cake,

Drinks, and ice cream.

But we remember

And give thanks.

All the gifts of

The year gone past

Are strewn across the path

Of grace breathed forth

Before the foundation

Of all the ages

With courage and love

We confess anew:

This is a day of hope.