I believe in Pink*
Pink looks good on everyone
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner
and the goodness in People
I believe in kissing
kissing a lot.

I believe in seasons of Pain that come and go
Popsicles on a hot summer day
the smell of Pinecones in the fall
Popcorn in front of a fire on a snowy day
Paul Simon's "Late In the Evening"
on a summer night in Central Park.

I believe in being strong even when everything
seems to be going wrong
and that Popularity is fleeting and the Present is always here
I believe that KIND people are the prettiest
and saying Please is Polite
I believe that tomorrow is another day
and we should always do our best to keep our Promises
I believe in miracles
and I believe it’s OK to Pretend you are strong
because sometimes that is how we find it.

*Bold italic lines are from Audrey Hepburn's "I Believe In Pink"

This poem is dedicated to my daughther, Zoe, who sang with a friend in front of teachers, students and classmates at her 8th grade breakfast today. She teaches me how to be strong in many ways.

Late in the Evening by Paul Simon