Seventeen Smiles

There’s been a lot happening in my world over the past 24 hours, so I won’t be sharing a full article this week. Instead, I’m giving my daughter centre stage. The week began with her celebrating her 17th birthday and ended with her passing her practical driving test… watch out, world!

I couldn’t be prouder of the young woman she’s becoming and the zest she has for life. She’s faced more challenges than any 17-year-old should, and I carry responsibility for much of that. Yet through it all, she’s shown nothing but resilience, kindness, and strength of character.

I’ve always believed every birthday deserves to be celebrated to the fullest… because we never get enough of them. I spent the week reflecting on those birthdays and creating this poem from it. So this week’s edition of Unshackled is dedicated to you, my darling daughter.

Happy Birth-week!

Seventeen Smiles

By Stephen Keating

From cartoon cakes and party hats,

To Seaworld dreams and ocean chats,

Penthouse laughter in paradise air,

A jungle of cats… your spirit everywhere.

Ice skates spinning, a Frozen cheer,

Pirates at Vikings…. another year.

Draculas’ glow, and climbing high,

Through treetops reaching for the sky.

Bounce floors shaking with fearless play,

Strike and putt at the end of the day.

Thirteen, fourteen.. I watched from afar,

But you still lit my world, my bright, beautiful star.

Limos and lights, the teenage scene,

A heart so kind, yet fierce and keen.

Hotel adventures, wild and free,

You’ve grown into all I hoped you’d be.

And now seventeen… your laughter rings,

Through every year, my heart still sings.

Though walls have kept our hands apart,

You’ve never once left my heart.

You’re the storm and the calm, the sparkle, the fire,

You’ve got your dad’s grin, his wild desire.

But your heart… that’s yours, it shines its own way,

Happy birthday, my girl… who I love more with every new day…

Stay Unshackled, My Friends

Stephen

Disclaimer

As most of you know, I’m currently in Immigration Detention. Any mentoring or support I offer… whether to my fellow detainees or to people beyond these walls… is given freely, with no charge attached. I don’t accept payment for mentoring, whilst I am in custody. The real “reward” is seeing the effort the lads put into becoming the best versions of themselves. My commitment is simple: that anyone I work with here leaves stronger, wiser, and better than they came in. That’s the whole point of rehabilitation, isn’t it?

Now, a quick note for clarity. While voluntary donations (mostly from family and friends) sometimes come in through this writing platform to help me get by, they’re never expected, never required, and never a condition for access. Everything I share… words, support, encouragement… is available to everyone, with or without a donation.