My Ode to the Donate Life Float

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​It’s New Year’s Day again
And time for you to shine
Time for you to do your stuff
and touch this heart of mine
 
Time for you to make millions think
About the power to save lives
Time for you to make us proud
Of work to help folks thrive
 
Years ago when you began
I couldn’t see your beauty
Years ago when you began
I watched you only out of duty
 
But I didn’t love you, not at all
You bent me and abused me
I didn’t love you, not at all
I resented you completely
 
​I resented every long cold night
Because you took my holidays
You took my cheer and took my time
And left me in dismay
 
I said one night, I hate this float
I meant it when I said it
I hated you with all my heart
Vehemently, with spirit
 
Others didn’t understand
They saw just your majesty
They saw only what you gave to us
They saw what I could not see
 
But now I that I have rested
Rebounded and regained
I see now what you are
What you give, instead of drain
 
Now I see your glory
Now I see your grace
I see your hope and see your love
In every volunteer's face
 
I see how you inspire
And build community
Amongst those who proudly wear
The Donate Life blue and green
 
And I see my own hand in the float
In every rose that’s placed
In every process, every smile
Every friend embraced
 
And in the ones who have stayed
Who give year after year
I see the power of this float
To honor that which we hold dear
 
We who brought you into life
Brought Donate Life together
We who brought you into life
Are bonded now forever
 
And so I do not hate you
I never really did
But I see now all your beauty 
And all the love you give
 
You are a ride of a lifetime
An opportunity to honor
A memorial and tribute
A chance to come together
 
It’s New Year’s Day again
Time for our float shine
Time for Donate Life
to touch your heart and mine
 

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