This poem is for Jennifer. It is written entirely from her Mother's heart and experiences of her. I took the stories and significant qualitative words and helped her mother fashion this as a birthday gift.

November 21, 2006

Where has time gone?
You are 36 today.
And I am thinking of you
when I was your age.

When I was 36,
and your shoes were mine
you had only just begun;
you were about nine.

You tried my ideas for you,
but instead formed your own.
Only out of your dreams
could today's truth have been shown.

From simple beginnings --
"baseball or ballet?"
you have shaped Life by your preferences
and come such a long way. . .

a long way from our legacy,
when New Jersey was home.
You moved half way across the country
and built a home of your own.

For home Is where your heart is,
and your heart brought you Mike.
Together you are sharing
this magnificent life!

Perhaps a mother's love best measures
how far you have come
in your most precious reflection
through two beautiful sons.

Your Ryan and Jake are such happy
littl boys --
Thank you for showing me
such childhood Joy.

You have held them, and loved them,
shown them courage and fun;
you pass to them your strengths
through the struggles you've won.

I am proud of you.
I love you.
What more can I say --
You are victorious, my Jennifer,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!