My mother use to say this verse to us the night before our birthdays. I’ll never forget the feeling I got calling her up to ask how it went, so that I could share it with my own daughter.

Now the kids anticipate it and often remind me of how many kisses they will get on their birthdays for a few days in advance.

When I have said my evening prayer,
And my clothes are folded on the chair,
And mother switches off the light,
I’ll still be ** years old tonight.

But from the very break of day,
Before the children rise and play,
Before the darkness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I’ll be ** years old.

** kisses when I wake,
** candles on my cake.