January 31, 2014

For Alexia on Her 27th Birthday


I’m going to tell you a secret,
my darling girl, about how
we became a family.

Even before you were born
you changed us.

Your arrival renewed
our damaged spirits.

Nurturing our new love
required selflessness.

When we stumbled,
your faith in us set our footing.

We found strength in vulnerability.
We found wealth in giving.
We found power in peace.

Soon this collection of individuals
found ourselves in a family.

So the secret, my sweet one,
of how we came to be
is one word,
you.