i’m glad you were born
29 years ago
in this very place
when we were still worlds apart

you, with a crooked smile
and a chipped tooth
and a deep sense of responsibility
for things that aren’t yours
and those who are

you, who grew up quickly
and quietly
who’s path i often wondered if i crossed
unnoticed

you, who sacrifices all dignity
to see us laughing until we pee our pants
at the faces you make
or animals you impersonate
or other things I probably shouldn’t repeat
(because dignity is only lost for us, after all)

you, who feels old in his youth
and gives himself a bellyache for it
who fears things
like speaking his mind
and wearing pink that’s really grey
no matter what your eyes tell you

you, who challenges me
and my beliefs on independence
who reminds me without words
(and sometimes with words)
all you mean to us

you, who fills me
who is the catalyst behind our best ideas
who inspires me
and reminds me of my own power
yet fails to see it all lacks without your hand

you, who is not finding yourself
but creating
who thinks deeply
but doesn’t share
whom i can neither read
nor resist

you, who fails to acknowledge
your own wonder and prowess
who can’t admit to the miracle that is you
who has yet to discover
the influence and magic that would disappear
had you not been born
into this world
and into mine

i’m glad you were born
to smile and to learn
to push and be pushed

i’m glad you were born
to influence and shape
and create and Be

i’m glad you were born
into this place, this time
to be this person
just Who You Are
right now
and here with me

Happy birthday, Justin. I love you.