This poem was written when I was 16 years old for my mother turning 40 years old, July 2, 1976. It has become my marker for when realizing myself to be a poet. If it weren't for my Mom loving and cherishing this poem, I would not have placed such value in it, falling more in love with writing poetry. It helped me see myself as a poet, but it also helped me hold fast to what she loved about me besides being her daughter. For her special day, I wanted her to know how amazing she was as a Mom in my eyes and heart, raising the six of us her children singlehandedly, and independently. She was truly an Independence Day icon with a birthday just two days before the Fourth of July; but that day, I felt I had nothing else to give and felt that I could at least give her something that I felt was as priceless as valuing every moment of time with her, like golden sand..she should understand the value I placed upon her life, and mine with her forever.