Today is Daniel’s 30th birthday!!!! Happy Birthday brother! I wrote the following poem for Daniel right after I got engaged 12 years ago. Most people won’t “get” it because it is filled with “insiders” but family will giggle:)

For Daniel

A wave of pride washes over me
When I look at the man you???ve turned out to be
Only 18 but wiser than most,
Strong in spirit, too humble to boast.
As a child you were quiet and liked to be free,
But you never managed to be free of me!

You were my brother, my playmate, my slave.
When you wouldn???t cooperate, mom made you behave.
So I tricked you a little ??? no big deal,
At least I made sure my horse got a meal!

Or how ???bout the little fight on the bed?
Was it the push or LEAP that split your head?
And then there was the garbage bag made into a chute-
If it was successful we???d share in the loot.
So you fell and got hurt ??? guess I was wrong.
Don???t blame me! You went along!

Remember the briar patch? When I slipped off the log?
I started to scream but you were off on a jog.
But I???m no longer angry about being stuck in the berries.
For my dear brother David told me the truth about the cherries!

But you weren???t often bored, that you must say
I found plenty of activities to fill up your day.
Whether it be tag or hid ???n go seek,
Or throwing rocks at Cricket for being so weak.
So we weren???t always nice ??? even sometimes cruel
Like shooting at Jessica while she swam in the pool.
But who could blame us? We were at a young age
You???d run for cover and I???d take the stage.
So I made a fool of myself a time or two
You were just lucky! The camera didn???t catch you!

Oh the memories I love to replay
And sometimes they make me wish I could stay.
We???d remain children wild and free
Seeing the world from a limb of a tree
But we???ve grown up and now when we pass
Your looking for clothes, I need money for gas.
It is rather sad that time flew so fast
We look forward to our future but hold on to the past.

Your about to graduate and try out your wings
I???m looking at dresses and trying on rings
Soon I???ll be gone to start a family of my own
But don???t worry! Your sister will never leave you alone.
Things will be different, they won???t stay the same
You???ll get my room, I???ll change my name
But one thing I know will always be true
You???ll always love me and I???ll always love you
No longer my slave and playmate but still my friend and brother
And I can only pray that such a man I???ll be blessed to mother.

From your sister
12/03/1993