On birthdays

Writing birthday cards (as you do), I often add a hymn verse -
From 'Opening and Closing Year' sections in the hymn book (Psalms & Hymns of Reformed Worship)and one of my favourites is v3 of hymn 718 by PHILIP DODDRIDGE:

Thus far His arm has led me on;
And He has made His mercy known;
Now, while I tread this desert land,
New mercies shall new songs demand.

Not in the same class is the poem recently written for a sister on reaching the big FIVE O but rings true:

It makes you think and ponder on
The years you've spent: they've come and gone.
Unnoticed almost, slipping past-
Slowly when young, but now, so FAST!

And every one divinely blest,
In training, tribulation, test -
To polish, hone and fit you for
Eternity's soon to be reached shore.

A time for reflection and anticipation for us as the decades (decayeds) creep by.

Oh, and here a plug for Clare Cards: clarecards@hotmail.co.uk