HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSHUA

 [You turned 27 today. On Easter. You turned 27 on the day of Christ’s Resurrection. If that isn’t a good reason to live, I do not know what is.]

I’ve watched you struggle,

only to prevail,

I’ve watched you relapse,

only to stand and blaze a trail,

I’ve watched you cry,

only to laugh just as loud,

I’ve watched you capsize,

only to set sail on clouds,

I’ve watched your late nights,

that was once dedicated to porn,

I’ve watched your daily routines,

the ones that caused your 

heart to mourn,

I’ve watched your bad habits,

only to kick them out of place,

I’ve watched your failures,

only to have your successes laugh

in their face,

I’ve watched your defeats,

only to fight another day,

I’ve watched your fights,

only to witness you get stronger

pace by pace

I’ve watched you fall,

only to rise and then,

I’ve watched you die,

only to live again,

I’ve watched you,

I’ve seen it all,

some low moments,

but you’ve endured your call,

despite all this,

one thing remains true,

Happy Birthday, Joshua.

I love you.