Kid,

It's your birthday today and here is a simple present of words.  No dancing santas or hopping hearts, just that. Words.  In one way or another, your blogs are bemusing in their younguishness, startling in their honesty, and stark in their realism.  And whether meant or unintended, the maturity and self-realizations never fail to come through; coming from someone of your tender years, they are profound.  *clears throat* I will stop na because I am beginning to sound like an English teacher=p 

You and your grown-up-takes-on-life essays inspired this piece, so this one is for your very own. And of course, what is a birthday without a song? *sings Happy Birthday and Hawak Kamay*=)

P.S. Kid, sorry but the spaces in between the stanzas just wouldn't come out *sheepishly embarrassed* please read it as 3 lines per stanza, with the last word of the first line and the last word of the third line in rhyme=)

Happy fifteenth birthday, kid! With Affection=)

Today, you are just turned fifteen

And I find myself searching for words

To fit in this little poem's seams

So much has changed these days

From both our points of view

We are likely to say

But still some things remain the same

As constant and as certain

As the sunrise when it came

Imbue your life with Love

The greatest of all virtues

Truly, a gift from heaven above

Seek for Friendship that is true

One that will stand the stormy gales

And fill your days with lovely hues

Do keep your loved ones always near

Do not wait for such a time as they are gone

To tell them they are dear

Be sure to have a wealth of Laughter and Smiles

A bit of cheer, a dash of yellow sunshine

They make life's darker moments worthwhile

Do possess a heart for Compassion and Understanding

In them, your soul will find itself gentled

And you will find meaning in living

Patience to help you know

And Courage to stouten yourself

When the winds in their fury blow

Faith to be a candle in the dark

Always a spark of Hope

When sometimes all turns bleak and stark

Sorrow, Pain, and Loneliness will not last

As sure as change will come about

These things will always pass

Do dream your dreams

But do not be disheartened

When it's not what it seems

Caution then to let yourself fly not too high

There is nothing so frustrating

As wanting a piece of unattainable sky

Lean on your strengths and accept your flaws

Our strengths can better us and our

Flaws, in humility, can help us grow

Do not be so harsh when you fail

And remember that it is sometimes at life's lowest ebb

That the human spirit prevails

Pray not for overconfidence, for the brashness of the young

Be open to the words of others, you have yet unheard-of

Songs waiting to be sung

Hurry not with words of hurt and thoughts of anger

Long after the scorching flames have died

The embers of hurt will linger

Do have time to be merry, too

After all, everything is not just

Colored gray and blue

Celebrate each day and live

Fill it with wonder and you will

Be amazed at what life has to give

Find Joy in the simplest of things

There is to be found in most everything

A little of life's blessings

There is still so much left unsaid

So much for you to learn

But those, I will let Life guide you instead

Fifteen is a new beginning

Walk Life, Live in It, Journey through it

And at its end, may you find your own sweet ending.