There are roads that wander through valleys of green, And roads that stretch where no light can be seen. There are paths made of laughter and paths made of tears, And roads we discover through the passing of years. I have walked through the mornings where hope filled the sky, Watched golden-winged sunlight drift silently by. I have stood in the shadows where silence would stay, And wondered if darkness would ever give way. The world is a river that never stands still, It bends around mountains and rolls down each hill. It carries our memories, dreams, and our fears, Gathering stories from all of our years. Some days we are strong as the roots of an oak, Unmoved by the storms and the words that are spoke. Some days we are fragile, a leaf in the breeze, Searching for comfort and moments of peace. I've seen hearts break quietly, piece after piece, While wearing a smile that pretended release. I've seen people stumble and fall to their knees, Then rise once again with remarkable ease. For life is not measured by victories won, Nor counted by races completed or run. It's measured by moments when giving felt hard, Yet still you kept moving and played every card. The rain has a purpose though cold when it falls, It teaches us strength through life's difficult calls. The thunder may shake every hope that we know, Yet flowers still bloom where the wild rivers flow. And love is a lantern we carry inside, A flame that remains when the daylight has died. Though people may leave and the seasons may change, The warmth of true love never feels quite estranged. There will be goodbyes that arrive without warning, And nights that seem endless before the next morning. There will be chapters we wish we could rewrite, And battles we fight.