What I Am

I'm more than I dreamed I would become,
I'm not what everyone expects of me,
I'm not shallow and I'm not fake,
I'm more real than I thought I'd be.

I'm a lover not a fighter,
But I'll fight hard for love,
I'm a believer and a dreamer,
A better world is what I dream of.

I can pretend and I can lie,
But I choose to be a good person,
I can push myself to great lengths,
And I won't turn and run.

I can move on from pain,
I can grow from tragedy,
I am willing to give my life,
For those I call my family.

To My Family

It took me several years to realize,
That sins can be forgiven,
It took a few reckless nights for me to realize,
I don't have to act like a fool.

It took several long talks with my oldest brother to realize,
I don't have to worry about growing up,
It took my sister in law telling me I could do anything,
For me to realize I have a future.

It took the love of my brother, Philip,
To show me how to be loyal,
It took the words of my sister, Sarah,
For me to not feel so alone.

It took me seeing every act of my oldest sister,
To teach me true kindness,
It took seeing my brother in law marry my sister,
For me to believe in true love.

It took the unending love of my parents,
To raise me into who I am,
It's taken me a very long time but now I realize,
That I am worth loving.