A TOAST:      

 

May your life be long and full of difficulty

 

Your marriage strained to the breaking point

            But not broken

 

May your children push you past the limits of yourself

            because this is where grace and patience grow

 

May your friendship be tested in the fire

            more pure for the dross being burned off

 

May you struggle at work

            every master must, to create a thing of beauty

 

If I truly love you this is what I wish for.

 

May you press on toward the reward of steadfastness.

 

It is in the look across the room when your eyes meet and the love is there; not just passion, but love, like a solid pillar of strength you can lean on.

 

It is when the kids come and apologize for all the infractions because their eyes are open now that they are in the driver seat.

 

When that forgetful and forgiving friend and you are enjoying a cup of tea laughing about “that pinochle game.”

 

And when at the end of the day you look over your handiwork, may it be with a breath of pride.

 

 

 

 

So, I walk on toward what is unknown, may it give me texture and depth.  Every day may I make the choice to write a better story, for me and those that come after me.