Happy Birthday to My Sister

Did you think we would ever grow to be
The matriarchs of the family
In the days when hushed and told to go?
There were things little girls didn't need to know.

When looking back, does it seem to be
As short a time as it does for me
When you, Joe and I were the little ones
And Daddy and Mom and their older sons

Protected us all from everything bad
And anything that could make us sad,
In the days when we lived without a care
And if there was trouble were unaware.

Now that we've had our share of woe
And learned things we didn't need to know,
Are you not glad we had that carefree time
When they tried to make our lives sublime?

And though it is no fun to grow older,
The years have made us wiser and bolder.
And I know that no matter how old I be,
You'll still tag along right after me.

Love, Joyce.