Smear hummus, try couscous, don’t pass on the flan.
You’re here but a moment, the next one you’re gone.
Smell roses, kiss babies, indulge your caprices;
write your crush on your dance card, spoil nephews and nieces.

See Kathmandu, Cuzco, Kigali and Rome
Cruise the white cliffs of Dover, miss the red hills of home.
Watch full moons, surf sand dunes, hug redwoods in Cali,
Master mopeds and bobsleds, walk each cobblestone alley.

Don matching at Easter for family photo
Suffer Dad’s quips and road trips in his old DeSoto
Yuletide by fireside then new year’s eve kisses
Sure thing at spring fling, mourn a couple near misses.

Life’s dotted throughout with some wins, draws, and losses,
Messiahs, mezuzahs, and crescents and crosses.
Neither perfect nor streamlined; oft messy and loud
There’s much ground to cover from swaddle to shroud.

This wide world’s a gift, countless layers of wrapping
The music is playing, why stop your toes' tapping?
Gleaned many of her secrets, and now I’ll confess:
The best way I’ve found to live fully? SAY YES.