The Ride ~ 30 Years in the Making I've attained my 30th Now I look back and smile Upon the beginning of my 20's That was a while I was self-absorbed Wrapped up in my own world Bitching with my friends Leading on two men I gave no damn for! Then I move on To a spiritual awakening And that's when I found my God ~ That's when the rollercoaster began Its slow ascent Up the path of maturity I had to accept The consequences of my youths naivet�.... The Ride came to a halt At my mother's death Down the spiral path Of depression I fell! It brought me and my boyfriend Back together again But it didn't last Based on tragedy It never does.... I left my long term job And pushed past my boundaries My health it did cost Struggling and crying Another lesson was taught Friends I did lose But I found myself! I studied my mind I wanted to be kind To the youth The abused And the aggressively used! Street counselling and advising Giving back to society What I selfishly took Back in my youth.... I found fulfilment in giving to others I liked me What I saw What I gave For the first time ever I was accepted within.... Then life turned a corner And there Andrew was waiting, We joined up together As The Ride took another sharp corner ~ Battling and struggling We never gave up! My health it did waiver Time after time As I became well My character got stronger And I grew wiser And I learned gratitude I became positive As God intervened Negative illness It left me.... A career I re-achieved Quality friendships were born And life became happy.... Then came the most joyful In all of my days ~ I married Andrew And he gave me so much more Than just his name.... Over six months have passed And I stand amongst All whom have helped me Come to this age I am content All is well with my life.... This poem I write In gratitude to all of you Who stand with me today As we join in celebration For my 30th birthday A "thank you" I extend To all my dearly beloved Family and friends May God bless you always! � Elizabeth 25th June, 1996 "Upon reflection of my life, I came to write about my years as I approached my 30th birthday. I had seen and done much, been through hard times and enjoyed happy times. After hitting a low when my mother died, my greatest high was the day I married my best friend and soul mate, Andrew. Although nearly 5 years have passed since then, I continue to grow and learn more each day ~ about love, life and the universe."