because I do

I say, “I love you” with the clothes I clean

I say, “I love you” with the groceries I buy

I say, “I love you” with the food I prepare

I hear you say it too

when you say, “Thank you”

I say, “I love you” when you seem blue

I say, “I love you” before I leave the house

I murmur, “I love you” as we fall asleep at night

sometimes you say, “I love you too”

I hear you say it

in other ways

I probably say it too much

just know

I do

the gift

my gift came quietly

in the glow of morning light

as a huge pink cloud

hovered and glowed from within

outside my kitchen window

suspended in a sea of blue

just waiting

for me to notice

the best gift ever

one that renews

with each new day

we’re given

the gift

of sunrise

Thank you, God

for today

Written on December 1, 2011, my fortieth birthday.