The Ten Great Joys

The First great joy is not one to miss.
You will always recall your fist kiss.
In the movies, a car, or on the door step,
When lips first touch, a heel  may even flip.

The second great joy is finishing school.
You and your friends are so happy and cool.
Life now before you, to college you go,
The world at your doorstep, all do you know.

The third great joy comes with serious love.
Two hearts together, like a pair of doves.
It may or may not last in time forever,
But it’s still a great wonder when two come together.

The fourth great joy is the gift of a ring.
Together with someone, this joy did you bring.
One of you now, is down on a knee,
asking the other, their partner to be.

The fifth great joy is a wedding day,
With vows to each other, do you say.
In a white dress, and a black tuxedo,
Kissing each other, then to banquets go.

The sixth great joy is the birth of a child.
The maternity ward, after a drive so wild.
Life is now complex, but a tiny hand holds yours.
Parent’s love of their child is fast and pure.

The seventh great joy has four legs.
A puppy or kitten now by your chair begs.
The children play with the new family pet.
You try to walk it often, so the floor is not wet.

The eights great joy is a graduation day.
Once your small child, their name the deans say.
Pictures on the lawn by the school at noon,
Their new life is launched, they may move out soon.

The ninth great joy comes with wedding bells.
The groom so handsome, the bride walks the aisles.
The family is together, the dancing on the floor,
the cake is cut, you can have no more.

The tenth happiness is the small grandchildren.
Visits, cookies, reading books in the den.
Helping to buy them a new bike or a toy,
Watching them grow up again is a joy.

Ten great joys balance ten sadnesses.
These together define what life is.
Sometimes it seems that the darkness will never end,
But the sun will come shine on life once again.