Ordinary Tuesday

It's not a big one, Mama But it's you — so it is The crossword's folded where you left it, radio's on low You talk back to the weatherman like he can hear You know which kid is calling by the way the phone rings twice And you'll say don't make a fuss — you say it every year But here's the thing about the quiet years They're the ones I'd miss the most Just another year of you — and that's no small thing, Mama Another year of your voice down the line No zero on the end, no hall, no big to-do Just another year of you And I'd take a hundred more exactly like this one You still keep clothespins in a jar though the dryer's ten years old Still set the kettle when you hear my car The smell of your kitchen on a Sunday could undo me in a word Some things don't need a milestone to be gold But here's the thing about the quiet years They're the ones I'd miss the most Just another year of you — and that's no small thing, Mama Another year of your voice down the line No zero on the end, no hall, no big to-do Just another year of you And I'd take a hundred more exactly like this one Someday I'll give anything for an ordinary Tuesday With you humming at the sink So I'm not waiting for the big ones, Mama I'm celebrating now Just another year of you — and that's no small thing, Mama Another year of your voice down the line No zero on the end, no hall, no big to-do Just another year of you And I'd take a hundred more exactly like this one Happy birthday, Mama Go on — make a fuss of you for once