Happy Birthday, Memories

3rd Birthday

Couch covered in mini balloons,

Evening party with many gifts too:

Swimming Champion Barbie,

A '99 Barbie CD player,

And a couple of dolls,

All was right in the world.

8th Birthday

The Fairy Place, a group of friends,

Videos hold proof,

Those happy times when Nan was alive

And everything felt warm and bright.

…then a blur…

The birthdays fade,

Replaced by disappointment —

Once Nan passed,

No one would show. They were ‘sick’…

And I was home, with a pirate themed cake.

My brother’s friends stopped by

To share a slice —

But the room felt empty,

Not quite right.

25th Birthday

Friends surround me, effort was made,

Balloons again — it wasn't the same.

A dream come true with love and gifts:

A telescope, and oils from a friend — who I miss.

26th Birthday

Wasted on drinks,

A beautiful view.

Life shifted and new —

Art supplies, and a silly surprise,

But then

Something unexpected came too.

27th Birthday

A two-part party,

Friends circled ‘round the fire,

Drinks, laughter,

A slumber party’s glow —

A thoughtful trip to a country town,

Three course dinner under the stars.

Lavender fields breathed life into my soul.

28th Birthday

Dinner with friends,

Family too.

Things slowed down,

Not much was new.

29th Birthday

Another dinner — but friends were gone.

Family close, but something felt wrong.

Dynamics changed, lives rearranged.

I smiled, but still…

It wasn’t the same.

________________________________________

I never thought I’d make it this far,

So many years, lost and unclear.

How can I remember when I was three,

But not who I was at seventeen?

Back then I was broken,

Maybe that’s why —

The memories protect me by fading away.

So I’ll just cling to

The ones that chose to stay.