A big heart in the little things

Don't worry about that extra line
That's creeping up upon your face
It's just a part of nature's way
To say you've grown a little more
Trees have rings and thicker branches
Kids' shoes get a little tighter
Every year we're getting closer
To who we're gonna be
It's time to celebrate
The story of how you've come to be

Happy Birthday, my friend
Here's to all the years we've shared together
All the fun we've had
You're such a blessing
Such a joy in my life
May the good Lord bless you
And may all your dreams come true

So light a candle on your cake
For every smile you've helped create
For every heart and every soul
You've helped to grow a little more
A few more pounds, a little more grey
Don't count the years, just count the way
It takes a little time
To go from water into wine
Don't ever lose the wonder
Of that child within your eyes

-- "The Birthday Song" by Corrinne May

HW now thinks that I'm a genius because I taught him how to insert hyperlinks and pictures into his new blog; let's keep it that way. ;)

I remember the first birthday we celebrated for him some three years ago. He emerged from the crowd decked in a bright white top and white jeans; I stared at him in bewilderment. "Peace, lah," he explained. September 11, you see. To this day, I still don't understand his train of thoughts all of half the time -- and he always has to explain it to me, sometimes to no avail -- but it's been a wonderful journey nonetheless.

Happy Birthday, HW. Thank you for all these years of laughter and friendship. Even though you don't say the words, it shows in the way you're always the one to labour in the kitchen, the way you're always the one person who can be depended on to show up, the way you're always willing to lend a listening ear. If I don't say it often enough, I am immensely grateful for these little things, because they're not that little at all.

***


Garfield by Jim Davis