(Warm, bittersweet acoustic style - gentle guitar or piano, hopeful but heavy with emotion)

[Verse 1]

Forty candles burning bright tonight

A milestone moment, and this might be the last time I write

Stepping into strength, into wisdom deep and true

I'm pouring out my heart before I have to leave you

[Chorus]

Miss Caroline, if this is our last song together

Please know you held my world through all kinds of weather

Thank you for the truths you spoke so clear

For pulling me up through all my fears

Here's to forty years of grace

I'm holding onto every memory of your face

[Verse 2]

At sixteen, lost and trying to find my way

You were the compass pointing the right way

The sister I never had, the light within the gray

Now silence is here where our voices used to play

[Chorus]

Miss Caroline, if this is our last song together

Please know you held my world through all kinds of weather

Thank you for the truths you spoke so clear

For pulling me up through all my fears

Here's to forty years of grace

I'm holding onto every memory of your face

[Bridge]

I know life isn't perfect, sorry for the stress I caused

Forgive the unintended trouble that put our lives on pause

You raising three kids with such a gentle hand

Helping make better people across this land

If we won't speak again, just know this love remains

Like the sunflowers that thrive whenever it rains.

[Verse 3]

Every pep talk was a lifeline then

When my fragile heart didn't know where to begin

So I'll leave these words as my final gift today

To say "I appreciate you" in the only way I can say

[Final Chorus]

Miss Caroline, if this is our last song together

Please know you held my world through all kinds of weather

Thank you for the truths you spoke so clear

Thank you for caring even when I disappeared

Here's to forty years of grace

One final thank you, one last embrace

Letting go, but knowing I found my place

[Outro]

From wherever I am, I'll watch you from afar

My love for you reaches beyond the furthest star

Happy Birthday , Miss Caroline...

May your next chapter be extra fine

Even if I'm not there to see it and say, "Wow!"

This is only goodbye... At least for now.