Sheila's Birthday Poem

I wrote this poem in tribute to my long time friend, Sheila. It was her 32nd birthday, and I wanted to celebrate some of the defining moments in our friendship. I could write a book of poetry just on our friendship, but for now, here's a single poem:


Happy Birthday, Sheila!

Happy Birthday, I know this is true: 32 looks good on you!
We were both born in July of '72- just nine days apart, too!
You were named Sheila Marie and we turned one in '73,
but rather unfortunately, I didn't meet you immediately.

Later on when we were nine, we met and got along fine
that was in 1980 or '81; we talked and played and had lotsa fun.
I wrote about you in my diary; some stuff I said was real goofy.
We went to church at L.W.C.C., I think that was 1983.

I loved your sister, Karyn Anne, but I was afraid of your horse, Cheyenne.
You had to pump water by hand, but you sure had lots of land!
I rode with you on your pony, Pete; up the hill and down the street.
Your mom took us to Americana twice, we had a picnic and that was nice.

In seventh grade you moved away, that was an extremely sad day.
I felt lost and very alone, but I came to visit you on Jonesboro Road.
You still had horses and kittens, too, and a room with a farmland view.
A train would pass by at night, heard in the distance but out of sight.

To stay in touch, we wrote to each other; you quit having a crush on my brother...
we both got older and started to date; the youth group social scene was great.
Many of our friends were mutual, except some of the ones we had at school.
We even dated the very same guy; looking back, I'm not sure why.

Our friendship survived through all that drama; almost 19 I became a mama.
You worked real hard and became a R.N.; I became a mom again.
In '96 we took a 3-day vacation; it was a hilarious situation!
we pitched our tent on a cow dung hill; the rain soaked our tent at will.

In 1997 we went to Ichthus once more; I was pregnant and a bit of a bore....
we had your camper instead of a tent; I am really glad we went.
You had Harley in 1998; I got to be your labor coach-that was great!
She was joined by Jacob in 2001; being an "aunt" was lots of fun!

We have seen both highs and lows; I think that's just how life goes.
we've seen loss and we've seen gain...we've shared one another's pain.
Some of the stuff we've gone through has made us stronger, and smarter, too.
No matter what we have our faith; a big part of what makes our friendship great.

It's 2004 and I have a teenage son; Harley and Jo finished kindergarten.
Jess is a preteen and Jacob is three: our kids are growing up so quickly!
We live closer than ever before; right down the street, who could ask for more?
I am so blessed that you are my friend: our friendship is eternal, without end.

After all these years, we still stick together...through life's rough and stormy weather.
We have our own lives and individuality, but still have many similarities.
I hope this birthday is your best one yet! And please don't you ever forget-
my sister in Christ, you mean the world to me: I love you and I will, permanently.