If Only

Happy birthday to you.

I wish you could have been here with mom and witness my graduation.

From the little girl who rode behind you on a bike to school every day to this adult, who will be graduating from university.

I wish you could have been here. I want to take a picture with you and mom, side by side.

I've never liked flowers, but I want you to bring them for me.

I want you to be there snapping pictures at me and I want to chide you for being annoying.

I want you to be there, for it will be one of the proudest moments in your life.

I want you to be there, standing in the crowd with your grandchildren, every one of them bugging you to carry them higher so they can see better.

I want you with us on our yearly trip to Genting. I want to see you spoiling the kids rotten with too much cotton candy and sweet corn.

I want you to be there to see the fruits of your labour.

I want to earn my first salary and treat you and mom to a nice dinner.

If only you could be here. I still miss you.