Mom was happily surprised when I was born, A daughter after having Five Boys. I was her last, too, always her Baby. Dad liked to tell me what the Gas man said when he learned Of my birth. "Now you have a dishwasher." He was right, for when I was Able to reach the sink I washed Dishes, No small task for a farm family Of eight. Each year on my birthday, Mom Baked me my favorite angel food Cake for supper, And on my 16th, my friends surprised Me with a party. Alice shocked me with a birthday bash On my 40th too. My knees nearly buckled when I Walked into her house and was Startled by the crowd. As I've gotten older, my Birthdays have become Blurred. In fact, sometimes I forget how Old I am. Once, for months, I was a year ahead Of myself. Yikes! Jack always remembered my birthday. He liked to give me jewelry like the Turquoise earrings I'm wearing. I saved his cards, and today I pulled Out the shoebox where they are Stored, put them in order, And read them again. I sobbed. It occurred to me that from Jack's Perspective, I'll never be a day Older. I wish I could see myself through Jack's eyes. |