The Blessing I Have Known

I do know exactly what a privilege life is.
I know how to fall and get back up,
How to kneel down in prayer—this I know—
How to sing His praises and be blessed.
To climb steep mountains all alone,
Which is what I did in my boyhood days.

Tell me, what haven’t I done?
Eating mangoes, soursops, guavas,
Star fruits on a morning walk—
Tell me, what boy’s explorations have I missed?

I walked barefoot into the running river,
Let its waters thread between my toes.
Let the rain tickle my tongue
And laughed on those rainy days.
I chased the foaming waves as they ran,
Watched the ocean splash and sing
Against the steadfast rocks.

Tell me, what haven’t I done?
I’ve felt the earth’s rhythm under my feet,
The rivers caress my body with gentle strokes.
The rain tiptoed on our old house roof,
The mountain winds sang to me,
The ocean showed me its strength.

What haven’t I done?
Carved my girl’s name into a tree—
Terry and me.
Heard a seashell sing, then tossed it
Back to sea.
Climbed a mango tree to reach
That yellow-orange one staring at me.
Held still long enough
For a dragonfly to rest on my finger.
Wrote a love letter to a girl,
And asked her for a “yes.”
Sat still in silence
And watched the stars twinkle just for me.

And what more shall I say?
I could take a lifetime
To list the blessings I’ve lived.
But I do know this—
Life has been a privilege,
Because He has richly blessed me.