Happy Birthday, verse # 28

Happy Birthday…

Freedom is the result of courage,
looking out over the edge of the nest and
stepping out, trying your wings and learning to fly,
earning the right to soar through the clouds,
gracefully gliding on the winds
and exploring the world around you.
May this next year bring you the courage of flight
and the beauty of freedom.

Happy Birthday, verse # 27

Happy Birthday…

Over the past year,
you’ve been through ups and downs,
you’ve pondered options,
and made some difficult choices.
You’ve admitted to weaknesses
but remained strong through it all
and you’ve grown along this journey.
I am so proud of you
and I’m proud to know you
and I hope you have
a wonderful birthday.

Happy Birthday, verse # 26

Happy Birthday…

On this day and all that follow,
may you have the strength to follow your heart
and the courage to fight for your dreams;
May you always be true to yourself
and may your soul feel inspired;
And, may you always feel blessed by grace
and surrounded by hope,
never feeling alone
and always knowing that you are loved.

Happy Birthday, verse # 25

Happy Birthday…

There once was a time, a long time ago,
when we were perplexed by the thought of getting old,
then there came a day, then there came a year,
when we realized we were getting older, old was getting near,
now we are old, another birthday arrives,
and we realize how blessed we are to have had such a life,
a life filled with laughter, some joy, some tears,
and a life that has lasted for years upon years,
so this is your day, another milestone has come,
and I wish you a happy day with more yet to come.

Happy Birthday, verse # 24

Happy Birthday…

A birthday is like a treasure,
a monument to life
to remind us of our fortunes and our deeds,
a testament not made of stone
where our history is written with invisible ink,
a substance made of memories and emotions,
with words engraved by the hands of time
that also direct us toward the future,
of life to come,
and shows us all a treasured respect for life.

Happy Birthday, verse # 23

Happy Birthday…

May your birthday and each day that follows bring you sunny days with blue skies and red birds brightening the landscape with their beauty and happy singing, laughter that comes from the heart and reminds you of the simplicity of childhood innocence, and joy that fills your soul with prisms of light, contentment, and peace.

Happy Birthday, verse # 22

Happy Birthday…

On your birthday,
I wanted to take a moment to tell you
how much I enjoy having you in my life.
You’ve taught by example about
the joy of giving and the peace of compassion and the power of hope.
You’ve willingly shared your smiles, your laughter, your heart, and your time,
and these have become blessings for others.
For your birthday,
I hope the love and happiness that you have shared with others over the years
returns to you… multiplied.

Happy Birthday, verse # 21

Happy Birthday…

Your birthday is my chance to tell you
that in the time I have known you
I have seen someone grow in maturity,
in intellect, and in spirituality.
I have seen someone accept responsibility
for their own personal growth
and succeed in meeting the challenge head on.
I have seen someone learn who she is
and someone who has learned to be proud of herself.
I am very proud of you.
Your achievements have been great and
you are deserving, at the very least, of the
most wonderful birthday.
May your birthday and every day
be filled with happiness and laughter.

Happy Birthday, verse # 20

Happy Birthday…

Birthdays are a map through a life full of treasure,
each celebration leading us to another locked box
that can only be opened with the heart,
a box containing a smile or a laugh or a hug,
a box containing a memory in the making,
or a memory past,
and when our life nears the end,
the treasures within the invisible boxes
are worth more than silver and gold.

Happy Birthday, verse # 19 (Treasure Hunt)

Happy Birthday… (Treasure Hunt)

(1st clue/note, given to the receiver)

A series of riddles, a series of clues
will lead you to the gift just for you,
it’s just what you wanted, but hidden it is,
a mystery for solving, for fun and for cheers,
just search along walls and walk about floors,
the answers you seek shall all be indoors;
First solve this riddle, for it is the key
to finding the present for you just from me,
your next clue is pressed between pages within
a book quite the whiz of win and of when.

(2nd clue/note, hidden in a dictionary)

Congratulations on finding this clue,
a map to lead you to a present for you,
now look near the Footprint and search about Form,
and there is a clue that will lead you along,
but if you should question the path you should take,
remember the answer will help you with cake.

(3rd clue/note, hidden beneath the tray of the fork drawer)

Oh, birthday, oh, birthday, and cake there shall be,
after you find this present from me,
and now that you’ve found the fork in the road,
you must now further search your abode,
where it lets in the light until it is veiled,
where it lets in the beauty of outdoors quite well,
where the sun smiles in from its home high above,
you’ll find a clue tucked in tight like a glove.

(4th clue/note, hidden between the window panes)

You’re getting closer, so don’t give up now,
four clues of five already you’ve found,
you’ve searched between words, amongst silver and glass,
between knowledge and present, now look to the past,
for taped behind an image of love you will find,
the next clue you’ll need, yes, clue number five.

(5th clue/note, hidden behind a photograph)

This is the end, the last clue you shall seek,
for with it you’ll find a gift just from me,
wrapped up in paper and tied with a bow,
hidden amongst prints and linens and folds,
open the door and there you shall see,
a gift just for you, a gift just from me.

(6th note, attached to a gift hidden in the closet)

Congratulations on solving the quest,
using the riddles, the notes, the books, and the rest,
and now that you’ve found the treasure within,
with heartfelt wishes, may a new year begin,
filled with more maps to treasure you’ll find,
filled with laughter, smiles, and time,
so that you enjoy each day of this year,
may each day of your future be filled with great cheer.

Happy Birthday, verse # 18 (the future astronaut)

Happy Birthday…

Fire streams below you,
engines fire off,
you quickly go to another plane
with cameras, plans, and logs,
exploring in your starship
planets, stars, and moons,
studying through your window
the Earth, the Sun, the Moon,
excitedly you sail past Jupiter,
Venus, Pluto, Mars,
and marvel at the beauty
and the brightness of the stars,
then you slide along Saturn’s rings,
laughing all the way,
as you travel in your starship
heading toward the Milky Way,
then you wave to Hercules
and find that he waves back,
then you race with Pegasus
to the edge of the universe and back,
and as you keep your journal,
your notes along the way,
you have had a dream come true,
but uncertain when you awake,
was it real or just a dream,
this birthday trip you’ve made,
but study hard and study well,
someday for real this trip you’ll make.

Happy Birthday, verse # 17 (For my birthday)

For my birthday…

Though it’s my birthday, I’m sending a card to you,
to let you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me through the years, everything you’ve taught me;
Since I was born, you have been so much more than a mother,
you have been a teacher, a confidant, a friend,
teaching me through example of the value of life
and the power of finding joy and gratitude in each day;
I may have a birthday because of you, but, more importantly, because of you it is always a happy one with a multitude of reasons to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, verse # 16 (to Mom)

Happy Birthday, Mom…

It was on this date that a life began that has been such a positive influence, a life that has been full of giving of herself, sharing knowledge, and working hard each day to make life easier for others. It is on this date that we celebrate the milestone of a life that means so much, grateful for another year that we have had with you and hopeful for many more to come. This day is your birthday and I hope it is a wonderful one to remember, containing as much joy as your heart can hold.

Happy Birthday, verse # 15

Happy Birthday…

Each year there are cards and each year there’s a cake,
there are the wishes from others and the wishes you’ll make;
but this year, as candles glow and you count the years gone by,
is the dream that you knew long ago part of your life?
Do you wake in the night and wonder what your life could have been?
Do you think about having chosen a different path, why, and when?
So make this year different, make this year count,
build a map to the dream, begin by marking the route;
then return to the past, a step backwards in time,
create the future with what you want for your life.
And know as you travel, you are not alone,
for I will be there with you, encouraging you on,
as you find life’s meaning, remember your reason to be,
and return to walking the path of your dream.

Happy Birthday, verse # 14 (Alaskan adventure)

Happy Birthday…(Alaskan adventure)

If I could wish a dream for you,
a dream, a wish that would come true,
you’d find yourself in faux fur and hide,
beneath a cold Alaskan sky,
and from behind the dogs you’d go,
through the fields and over snow,
sledding toward the western seas,
finally living out a dream;

And as you sled at quiet speeds,
so as to see the lakes, the trees,
the sun would set, the moon would rise,
but you’d be warm in faux fur and hides,
and as the dogs would rest and eat a bite,
you’d watch the lights in the northern sky,
as shades of green and blue would dance around,
and at times seem to touch the ground;

Through the night the fire would glow,
crackle and pop, keep warm your temporary abode,
but when the morning dawns, you’ll pack the gear,
and as you pack, solar winds you will hear,
speaking in words understood only within
by those traveling this land, exploring Earth’s ends,
and with a gentle crack of the whip, once again you will leave,
exploring new territory to find what else you can see;

You travel through Anchorage, Fairbanks and more,
all on your way to the western seaboard,
through whiteouts and blizzards and lots of deep snow,
yet westward you dream and so westward you’ll go,
but you’ll stop in Denali to see what is there,
to see if you’ll eye wolves or a moose or a bear,
and you’ll study McKinley, how the sun glistens the snow,
but be on your way for you have far to go;

Along freezing miles, through snow and through ice,
you travel along and study this time,
an era much earlier from where you belong,
an era known to you only through stories and song,
and in quiet hours as time passes by,
you remember the stories of explorers and mines,
and with gratitude you smile up to the sky,
and breathe in your chance to relive this time;

Across the mountains and across the plains,
across the snow and rivers and lakes,
then resting again to pay respect to the past,
you take heed of this beauty and listen at last,
to the silent stories told by the mountains and then
you take them to heart, these lessons, and then,
you close your eyes, let them show you the scene,
of the earlier times and the struggles they’ve seen;

The mountains will tell you of all who have come
along this trail with their precious serum,
and the water, now ice, will point out the road
used by those who came searching for gold,
and the endless fields of snow will join in,
telling you silent stories of land
explored and settled by those from afar
who came searching for hope or for gold or for hearts;

You inhale the knowledge and breathe in the day,
then you prepare once again to be on your way,
rested and warmed in the light of the sun,
with these hardworking dogs, you’ll be back on the run,
a silent respect for the undisturbed snow,
this undisturbed land, this beautiful road
that sits all alone in the warmth of the sun,
enjoying life with his friends, the land, water, mountains;

Traveling by day and resting at night,
you sled over snow, led by the light,
as westward you travel, to Anvil City you go,
to see Norton Sound, to search for some gold,
to search for a dream, more within than without,
to search for a chance, for new beginnings you scout,
to have an adventure, one to remember it’d seem,
this snow, this land, this travel your dream;

And when you begin to feel the spray of the sea,
hear the cry of an animal hid behind trees,
when you begin to see the cabins about
and hear miners exclaim, “Tis gold that I found,”
you’ll settle the dogs into their temporary abode,
with pans and patience, search through fields made of gold,
and with the sun in your hair and mud beneath nails
you’ll search for the treasure in buckets and pails;

Time will pass on and adventures you’ll know,
hiking, fishing with new friends dreaming of gold,
then, after time, with the season near o’er,
when your heart has grown weary and the dogs have grown bored,
at the end of the day you’ll glance down at the pan
and see flecks of gold amongst dirt and some sand,
through buckets and buckets as the night will wear on,
you’ll find more and more gold, the challenge you’ve won;

As the sun rises, excited you’ll be,
having found the gold, having lived the dream,
and with your new friends you’ll celebrate soon,
and share of the wealth, there’s enough for them too,
and the dogs will receive the greatest feast all around,
enough for all of the dogs in the little Anvil town,
and the water and mountains around you shall see,
to later recite to others who come here in search of a dream;

In a gentle howl of the wind you will hear,
a gentle reminder that you don’t belong here,
not in this era of stories and song,
no, sadly, this era is not where you truly belong,
so with a hug and a wave, you’ll say goodbye to your friends,
put on your coat, harness the dogs again,
and you’ll travel with the magical dogs from behind,
and slip through the veil, back to this time;

Then you’ll awake as if from a dream,
yet, inspired, somehow, from your journey it’d seem,
you’ll see the fur in the corner and a dog on the floor,
and wonder if somehow, you’d really been there before,
in that land made of snow and of ice and of gold,
that land from songs and stories you’ve been told,
and then a big smile will come across your face,
perhaps it was real, your dream of that place.

Happy Birthday, verse # 13 (Hollywood dream)

Happy Birthday… (Hollywood Dream)

If I could make a birthday wish for you,
it would be a dream of yours that would come true,
and you’d find yourself beneath the lights,
on the Boulevard, dressed in white,
and everyone would know your name,
know of your work, know of your fame,
and the cameras would flash and the fans would scream,
yes, this would be part of the dream;
The diamonds on your hand would shine
from all the lights there at the Shrine,
as stars would make their way within,
the carpet red, on your face a grin,
as you meet and greet and chat and shmooze
about gowns, awards, projects, shoes,
you’re the main attraction, it would seem,
just another part of the dream;
Once inside, the show would start,
awards handed out for all sorts of parts,
comedy, drama, leads and guests,
action, adventure, all the rest,
by actors who are all the rage,
seen on film, seen on stage,
and there in the front row you would be,
yes, this would be part of the dream;
And when they presented the award for heart,
for kindness, patience, courage, smarts,
it would be your name they would call,
yes, your name would echo through the halls
of the legendary Shrine in Hollywood,
yes, you would win, we knew you would,
you deserve the award, the crowd would deem,
all a part of the dream;
And, later still, the award declared
for the best performance of the year,
and again your name they would call,
yes, your name would echo through the halls,
as you gracefully step upon the stage,
to say appreciations, thanks,
you’re the best actor, the crowds would deem,
just another part of the dream;
And from the wins, more scripts arrived,
and you made your choices with a well-trained eye,
then each day you’d be on the set,
acting, working, learning, yet,
and you would find yourself, it’d seem,
living the life you’d always dreamed,
and if I could make a dream come true,
I’d see that your dream would come to you.

Happy Birthday, verse # 12, Birthday Fairytale

Happy Birthday (fairytale)…

Once upon a time, a long time ago,
there lived a princess, though no prince did she know,
so down to the magical lake did she go
to see if ever a prince she would know,

placing her finger into the water of blue,
clockwise she turned it until the water did move,
then a reflection appeared and she asked, “For who are you?”
and the reflection replied, “Must you ask? For I am you.”

Then the face in the water said, “I am your guide
that guides you through each day, that guides you through life.
I am your spirit and I am the light
that shines within you and brightens the night.”

“Tell me, please tell me, then, what do you see?
Is love in my future? Please, tell me, please.
Do you see romance and the prince of my dreams?
Will love ever find me? Please, tell me, please?”

And the reflection said, “Yes, I think that I may
see in your future a special day.
Yes, a day surrounded by love, oh, but wait,
‘tis not a wedding I see, but a birthday.”

“But, magical lake, please tell me the time
when a prince shall find me and love shall be mine?”
“Dear princess, dear, water knows nothing of love.
‘Tis the moon you should be asking that hangs up above.”

The princess left the lake and went back inside
dreaming of what was to come in her life.
And, when the clock struck twelve the princess went back outside
to talk to the moon and ask about love in her life.



“For answers, to the magical lake did I go
though no answers did the lake know.
Will love ever find me? I want to know.
Will I ever have a romance, a wedding, love?”

“Princess, dear princess,” the white moon replied,
“tis not me you need ask about love in your life.
for I only hang here and shine in the night.
‘Tis the all-knowing hermit that you need to find.”

The princess sighed as night passed into day
and she walked up the mountain as morning came
to a lonely abode, she walked into the cave,
and met with the hermit, asking right away.

“I first went to the magical lake of blue,
who did not know and sent me then to the moon,
and the moon in its glory sent me here to you.
Do you know the questions I seek answers to?”

“Yes, I know,” the hermit said,
“what answers you seek, what questions you have.
For the questions are all the same,” he said,
“you wish to know if love awaits ahead.”

“Yes, yes,” the princess cried,
“I want to know if love will come to my life,
a romance, a prince, will I ever be a bride,
will love ever come to me in my life?”

The hermit looked deep into the stone
and then his face seemed to turn very old.
“Do you know why I live here all alone,
up here in this mountain, in this lonely abode?

‘Tis because people often think love is a prince
on a white horse with gold reins and they wish
that the horse will ride up with eyes that glint
and upon the horse will sit their prince.”

And the princess said, “I don’t understand.”
And the hermit replied, “A prince is just a man.
Your search for love will one day end,
but don’t search for the horse or crown, he will be a friend.”

“But, who is he, who is he, tell me please,
who is it that the love of my life shall be?”
“Dear, princess, dear, I cannot predict such things,
I’m just a hermit. It is a crystal ball you need.”

So, back down the mountainside she did walk
and on the way to herself she did talk.
The mysteries of love she tried to unlock
as she passed by the water and the trees and the rocks.

And, then to the old witch did she go,
up to the old castle made out of stones.
“Crystal, oh, crystal ball, you may be my last hope,
tell me, please tell, love will I ever know?”

And in the glass, mist began to swirl.
“Yes,” the witch said, “I see a boy and a girl.
A dance, and a dress with a skirt that can twirl,
on the happiest day for them in this world.”

“But who is it, who? Please tell me, please.
Who it is, this love of my dreams?”
“I cannot say, for that I cannot see,
I cannot help you with the answers you seek.”

“Who shall I seek, then, who will know
where is it that I shall go
to find the name of my future love.
To the lake, the moon, the hermit I have already gone?”

“Dear, princess, dear, don’t you yet see?
You are the only one with the answers you seek.
Love is something for which your heart shall reach
when you find the man, the love that you seek.”

The princess returned to the water, “What now do you say?”
“Yes, I see in your future a special day,
a day surrounded by love, oh, but wait,
‘tis not a wedding but another birthday.”

And the princess enjoyed her birthday plans
and on that day, she happened to meet a man,
and he had a horse, yes he did, indeed,
but could this be the prince of her dreams?

Here’s hoping your birthday is a happy one
with lots of laughs and lots of fun
and if love happens to be your birthday wish
than I do hope that this year you shall find your prince,
but look not to the lake or to the moon hanging up in the sky
or the witch on the hill or the hermit living way up high,
look to your heart and there you shall find
the answer to your questions about love in your life.

Happy Birthday, verse # 11, A Birthday Surprise

A Birthday Surprise…

(enter child’s 1st name)_ (last name) awoke from his sleep,
(name) sat up in bed and he began to think,
“What day is this,” and his eyes looked at his room,
knowing his birthday was coming soon.
“What if I clean it and make the room nice,
put away toys and let in the light,
sweep up the floor and straighten the bed,
hang my clothes in the closet,” he said.
“Then, I wonder if I might find
a bigger gift as my birthday surprise.”

“Birthdays are great, there’s so much to do,
with presents and cake and candles, balloons,
there’s games to be played and friends get to come,
there’s no doubt at all, birthdays are fun!”
So, with that thought in mind, ________ got out of bed,
and went straight to work on the list he had made in his head
of things that needed to be cleaned in the room,
knowing his birthday was coming soon.
And, as he cleaned, he dreamed with delight,
wondering what his birthday surprise would be like.

______ crossed his fingers and then made a wish
of what he would want for his birthday gift,
a train, a truck, a robot that walks,
a game, a ball, a car that can talk,
a cowboy hat, a horse that can sing,
why, he might like just about anything
to come in a box as a birthday surprise,
just something fun that will make him smile,
and he wondered what clue he thought he might find
of what his parents had planned for his birthday surprise.

When ______ had finished cleaning his room,
he took out the trash and put back the broom,
excited and wondering what his birthday might hold,
_____ looked high and then ______ looked low,
under beds and in closets and then behind doors,
in old boxes in the garage and under rugs on the floor.
But _______ had not seen signs of a birthday gift or even a card,
no paper, no ribbons, and he had looked very hard.
Then he began to worry, then he began to fear,
what if they had forgotten his birthday this year?

So, ______ sat and he thought very hard
about how to remind them without getting caught.
He did not want to miss out on a birthday surprise,
but, as he cleaned, not one clue did he find.
“Perhaps it would help,” he said with a yawn,
“if I picked my bike up out of the lawn
and moved the wagon out of the drive,
would that help them remember my birthday surprise?”
So, he moved the wagon and then he moved the bike,
but still no clue, no gift did he find.

“I know, I know, I know what I’ll do,
I’ll clean out the garage, yes I’ll clean that up too!”
So, ______ went straight to work all at once,
moving boxes and bikes and tools and such,
making everything clean and tidy and neat,
sweeping and cleaning everything within his reach.
________ cleaned floors and walls and the cabinets, too,
knowing his birthday was coming soon.
Yet, with all of his cleaning and searching he still did not find
a single clue to his birthday surprise.

When the night finally came, ______ fell fast asleep,
of gifts and toys and presents, he dreamed,
of race cars and cakes and friends and balloons,
of games and fun and candles, too,
and he dreamed of what clue or card he might find,
and what his parents might have chosen for his birthday surprise.
And when the morning came, ____ awoke from his sleep,
and he sat up in bed and he began to think,
“What day is this,” he said in his room,
knowing his birthday was coming soon.


_______ got up and he got dressed to go,
though where he was going, he really did not know,
so he went down the hall to the kitchen and he saw his mom there,
standing at the sink, peeling some pears.
“Can I help,” he asked his mom,
“No,” she said, “you go outside and have fun
and play for a while until it is time to leave
because we’re going to Grandmother’s house today, you see.
And, thank you for doing such a fine job on your room,
picking up toys and using the broom.”

And, with a grin on his face, ______ went out to play,
forgetting for a moment that it might be his birthday,
and remembering what his mother had said with a smile
about cleaning his room and doing the job fine.
“Perhaps, she remembers,” he then thought to himself,
“without needing reminding, maybe she didn’t forget
about what day is coming and my birthday surprise,
but then why not one clue did I find?”
So, _____ continued to play and have fun,
lining up cars on the walk, one by one.

“It’s time to go, let’s get in the car,”
his mother had called to him from the yard,
“We’re going to Grandmother’s house today,
and, no matter what, we must not be late.”
So, off in the car they drove down the road,
and as they went, the story he told
about the cleaning he had done just yesterday
waiting to see if his mother would mention his birthday.
But, she said not a word and he let out a sigh,
what would ever become of his birthday surprise?


Once reaching Grandma’s, ____ went inside,
and what did he see but his birthday surprise.
There on the table were ice cream and cake
with candles and cookies his Grandma had made.
There were balloons in the corner and gifts on the floor,
and all of his friends were standing beside the door
cheering, “Happy Birthday,” and _____’s eyes opened wide,
my, oh, my, what a birthday surprise.

“Surely you didn’t think we’d forget,
to say, ‘Happy Birthday’ or to get you a gift,”
his mother had asked him with a big smile
and a hug as _____ looked at his birthday surprise.
“No wonder,” he thought to himself in his mind,
“no clue did I find at home to my birthday surprise.
It had been at Grandmother’s house all the time,
the games, the cake, the candles to light.”

After the party, the cake, and the fun,
after the surprises were over and done,
______ went home and went straight to bed,
dreaming of all his birthday had been,
and wondering what next year he would find
waiting for him as his birthday surprise.

Happy Birthday, verse # 10 (to a daughter)

Happy Birthday…

I remember a child running through the house with a big grin,
laughing for no other reason than just because it felt good;
And before me now I see the woman that you have become,
mature, yes, but with that same wonderful smile that can brighten hearts
and laughter that you so graciously share with us all;
And, though it is your birthday,
it will be those of us who know you who truly celebrate,
thankful for the joy that you have always brought to our lives.

Happy Birthday, verse # 9

Age is something earned, a milestone of survival expressing the strength within. Stand up and be proud of your age, of all the obstacles you’ve overcome, and take pride in knowing that others look to you for guidance because of all the lessons you’ve learned and are willing to share.