CELESTIAL BIRTHDAYS

July twenty-two, October twenty-two;
Which of these great birthdays now belong to you?
July made you eighty-four; October you’ll be two,
So happy birthday on these days that God will me through.

I’m not so sure that earthly birth is celebrated there,
But surely heaven’s angels celebrate with care
The day that saints like you, My Dear, were wafted in the air,
Translated to the heavens to fill your heavenly chair.

I hope the angels let you help them as they bake your cake,
Not the kind we eat down here; the kind the angels make;
I’ve watched you use ingredients they use when they bake,
So I know heavenly baking will be a step that you can take.

Two cups plus two teaspoons of GOLD MEDAL FAITH,
For “by faith the cake is saved”, as the Master saith!
One and one half cups sweet memories God has given
Of times He sweetened life and moved you on toward Heaven.

Three and one half teaspoons of goodness in disguise
That much like baking powder makes our tempers rise,
And then a dash of self-control which acted as if salt
That seemed to make the picture whole and help reaction halt.

One half cup anointing oil that smoothes the whole thing out
And makes the batter taste so good it makes the angels shout!
And then a cup of human kindness, the milk of godly love.
That helps us see our frailties that we must rise above.

At last one teaspoon spice of life, the flavor we desire,
That makes the cake so nice to eat it sets our souls on fire.
And then stir in three golden eggs, the symbol of new birth
That made you part of heaven and helped you leave the earth.

So, are the candles on your cake four score and four, or two?
To me, it makes no difference, for more and more, like you,
I see a thousand years from now will be as but a day,
So, as I wait to join you there, let time go as it may.