Before you met me, I was the king of the barberry pirates,

I flew with Peter Pan and Wendy,

I hunted wild animals in the depths of Africa,

I walked on the moon with NASA,

I helped pilot the star ship Enterprise,

and I swam with Jacques Cousteau.

 

I was fifth, then fifth of sixth, then fifth of seven,

and finally fifth of eight.

By then adolescence was calling and just around the corner.

My best friends and darkest enemies were my brothers and sisters,

but no matter what, we were a tribe,

when push came to shove we had each others’ backs.

 

What gifts did I bring to both of you?

days of bug and snake collecting,

and nights around campfires looking at the stars.

Butterfly kisses, and mountain climbing.

A family that embraced both science and imagination.

Knowledge that life is hard, and that work is good,

and knowledge that bedtimes are for reading,

and that family makes life easier.

The knowledge that a life of connections and bonds,

ultimately makes life better,

That canning tomatoes, like much of life,

is faster and better when done with others.

 

Now you are both adults.

I hope that the gifts that I was given,

I have given to you.

I hope those gifts will serve you well,

as mine have served me.