I am one year older today,
a fleeting whisper of time,
Reflecting in the mirror,
I see an old man,
etched with echoes of laughter
and the weight of untold stories.

The mountain wind howls,
a fierce companion reminding me
of the wilderness I’ve wandered,
the paths I’ve forged with weary feet.
In my quiet cabin,
the aroma of coffee swirls,
a warm embrace before dawn.

My wife loves me,
that soft truth, a beacon in the dark,
and I feel the joy bubbling,
anticipation of laughter
with good friends,
the sacred circles of fellowship.

Yet, amid cheer, my heart aches
for the many hurting souls,
each one a prayer,
each tear a shared burden,
as I kneel in the stillness,
lifting them with hope.

I am glad I am alive,
every breath a gift,
each moment a canvas
upon which to paint my faith.
I love Jesus,
a guide through shadows,
a light that breaks the dawn.

I long to be a better man,
to embody grace, to spread kindness,
believing deeply that I am the beloved of God,
held in gentle hands, wrapped in mercy.
Tomorrow will come,
a promise that whispers
with dawn’s tender light,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

I have many more miles
to travel on this sacred journey,
each step a testament,
each mile a prayer,
as I walk the path laid before me,
with faith as my compass,
and love as my map.