The Birthday Gift

You gave to me the gift of life, so many years ago
Then, earnestly, you trained my feet; the path that I should go.
And in that sphere of boundless love; you nurtured with such care --
And planted in that tiny heart, the seeds still buried there.

Though bittersweet, some mem'ries be --
(the times I broke your hearts)
You never lost your faith in me, through all my many "starts".
Your love was always constant; your convictions, always true --
I never knew that growing up, would be so hard to do!

I strayed from what you taught me and I stumbled in the dark;
I disregarded wisdom that you both tried to impart.
Most all my life, I've lived in fear of what I could achieve;
Assailed with doubts and questions, as to just what I believed.

It's taken, oh so many years, for me to get it right,
But finally all those little seeds are reaching for the light.
I never had the courage...until now...to try my wings,
But age has brought me confidence-- I can do ANYTHING!

And since it is my birthday, what greater gift could be
Than giving back, unto myself, the life you gave to me?
Today is my beginning, for I now believe in ME --
But I write to say "I love you"...and to thank you for the seeds!

Written especially for my mom & dad, in 1989.