I feel like I don’t have a care in the world

As if I am a young child

I am free like the cloud blowing in the wind

The pit in my stomach is gone

My body feels like it is sinking deeply into the earth

The minutes seem to go by in slow motion

Every sound is becoming more distant

My lids are getting heavy

I roll into my warm cocoon

My subconscious takes over and I let go

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

You are my favorite birthday twin and TV writer

I’m honored to share this special August day with you

Your brilliant eyes see things that others don’t see

Your old soul knows things that others don’t know

Your spirit of adventure thrives on new experiences and ideas

Your creative nature allows you to make things that open people’s minds and hearts

The impact that you have had in others’ lives is so profound

You have kept our heads above water and did not let us drown

On this day of your birth, may all your hopes and dreams come true

And may you gain even more wisdom and courage with everything that you do

Driving off into the sunset often represents something being done

But I prefer to think of the situation as an opportunity for a new lesson to be learned

All the things that you have created

All the people that you’ve met

So much more than you would have dreamed of, I am willing to bet

So take all the good things with you as you make your next steps

With the knowledge that you brought so much love into this world

You simply are the best

They were young high school boys at the time

Too young to know what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives

An ill fated night of fun and games with friends in the park

After the street lights had just turned on and it was starting to get dark

Unbeknownst to the boys, a female jogger was out for a run

An unknown man had come out of the darkness and knocked her unconscious

He committed horrific acts of physical violence and left her for dead

After police at the scene first discovered the woman bleeding severely from her head

They put out a call that “black and Hispanic teenagers” were out in the park “wilding” and up to no good

An order was given to round everyone up and to bring them in for questioning

At that point the young minors were beaten, terrorized, and coerced

By the very police force that had promised to protect and to serve

Family members were confused, separated, threatened, and lied to

The boys and their family members were tricked into signing false statements

Framed by police and convicted by the media even before their hearings

The boys didn’t stand a chance despite having the support of their community and good legal representation

There was no true peace of mind the wrongful convictions could have provided for Trisha, the jogger

There was no true justice that could be served in those two courtrooms either

Five innocent boys were convicted and served long sentences for a crime they did not commit

Korey, Kevin, Yousef, Antron, and Raymond now use their experiences to help others who should have also been found innocent

Have you ever been so excited for something before that it’s the only thing you can think about

You have to play it cool but inside you really want to scream and shout

Counting down the days until you go

Why does time sometimes have to go so slow

Meeting the people and seeing the sights

Just to think about it brings me great delight

Wine tasting by day themed parties by night

Oh, this is going to feel so right

Twilight swallows fly gracefully across the golden sky

Spending time outdoors provides me with a natural high

The air slightly cools and I walk barefoot through the grass

I silently make a toast and raise my glass

Lightning bugs illuminate the river bank as the frogs sing their nightly tune

Pure joy is what I feel throughout the month of June

I’ll never forget that first glance not long after you were born

You were huddling in the straw at the back of the barn to try to stay warm

Your eyes were barely open and you could not make a sound

The first time I picked you up in my arms, my feelings were profound

I instantly loved you and you instantly loved me

That unexpected discovery was really meant to be