for thirty-two

today is jeremy's birthday.
here is a little poem i wrote to celebrate.


for thirty-two (a gift for my love)

the alarm goes off,
or sometimes it is a child calling to us.
morning has broken,
even if it is still dark outside.

you get up first,
i struggle to open my eyes.
minutes later you stand by the bed,
cup of steaming coffee in hand.

you set it on the nightstand.
the coffee is for me,
and so are the "good morning"
and the kiss.

the day begins.
work done.
children cared for.
bills paid (somehow).

meals prepared and eaten,
the chaos of dinner and bedtime.
maybe an argument or two,
but hopefully more kisses than arguments.

sleepy devotions before bed.
with heavy eyes we read
and sing quietly,
with cracking voices.

we exchange yawns,
then turn the light out.
we kiss goodnight
and fall asleep in each other's arms.

ordinary days,
but these are the good ones.
treasures upon treasures
in each simple day.

we often forget the beauty
He has given us.
yet He lovingly blesses us
with more days and years.