A Quarter of a Century

Twenty-five years of beauty and light,

Watching you blossom, a wondrous sight.

A quarter century has softly gone by,

And my heart overflows as I look in your eye.

I see the lawyer, determined and wise,

With passion and brilliance behind your bright eyes.

I see the artist, whose delicate hand

Brings lines into life, so gifted and grand.

I held back my tears as you finished your degree,

Proud of the woman you grew up to be.

And then came the moment that stole my whole heart—

A dream you made real, a true work of art.

On a London stage, with grace in your stride,

You danced Kandyan rhythms and filled me with pride.

I once wished I’d sent you to dance as a child,

Yet you sought it out with a spirit so wild.

Beside a busy job, you took to the floor,

Proving your strength and so very much more.

Yes, we may bump heads and argue a bit,

For you bear my strong spirit, my passion and grit!

But I wouldn’t trade that, or trade you, my dear,

For all of the world or the turns of the year.

You are strong-willed and stunning, inside and out,

A daughter whose heart leaves no room for doubt.

May this year bring joy and success to your view,

I love you endlessly, always, I do.

Happy 25th Birthday!

Happy 25th Birthday, my beautiful loku duva 

Quarter of a century today!

Watching you turn 25 fills my heart with so much pride. You have grown into such an incredible, intelligent, and talented woman—a dedicated lawyer who works so hard, and an artist with a beautiful creative soul and amazing talent in your drawings.

I was happy to see you finishing your degeree course. I am proud of you.

One of my proudest moments was watching you perform Kandyan dance on a stage in Central London with Narthana Dance Company. When you were younger, I always felt sorry that I hadn't taken you to dance classes. Seeing you decide as an adult, alongside your busy job, to learn Kandyan dance just to make that dream come true meant more to me than words can say. It showed your incredible strength, grace, and heart.

We might bump heads and argue sometimes—mostly because you inherited every bit of my strong spirit! But I wouldn't trade that (or you) for the world. You are strong-willed, talented, and stunning inside and out.

May this year bring you all the success, happiness, and joy you deserve. I love you endlessly.