I feel free.

Free to be me.

Like a bird flying from tree to tree.

Free.

I feel free.

Free to show the world who I'm meant to be.

One that's been hiding in the brea.

Free.

I feel free.

Free to love as my heart desires.

Finally going to express myself fully.

Free.

I feel free.

Like I'm meant to be.

Free to be me.

Free.

Scared, unsure, nervous.

What will they say?

What will they do?

Will I be accepted as me?

Will I be looked at differently?

Questions.

Running through my mind like crazy.

When to tell them?

What to do?

Will they understand?

What will the demand?

Demand me to be gone?

To be forever alone?

A fear making my brain throb as if it will never stop.

Words stuck in my throat,

I think I'm going to choke.

It's time.

Now or never,

Because their attention is all mine.

Look I'm gay okay.

Guys and girls are the way I play.

I'm sorry if you're disappointed or upset,

It's natural.

This ain't no evasion.

I'm being real.

It's time to unveil.

Unveil to the world, me.

Who I've always been,

It ain't no sin.

I must be seen.

I'm tired of running.

Running away from the truth.

I feel like I'm caught in some trap.

Asking why,

Why all these lies?

Now is the time,

The time for me to shine.

I will not fear.

I will not fret.

I accept.

I accept myself for me,

And this is the first step.

I feel like I have been hiding behind a curtain or a wall.

Not knowing when I would finally fall.

Feeling unsure and confused.

I would almost be amused. Amused that I would allow myself to become this confused.

Confused about who I am and who I portray myself to be.

I'm ready. I'm ready to stop and see.

See the real me.

Strong.

Not only with strength, but with love for others.

Love.

Not only for your family, but it’s part of your lifestyle.

But what really is a so called lifestyle?

Something one can choose, change, manipulate to seem true.

Although some may go with the last two, not you.

You choose to be true, to be you.

You choose to be kind, to be you.

You choose to be accepting, to be you.

It’s tough to be you and you know this to be true,

You strive for a lifestyle of strength and love.

One for everyone to be happy.

One for everyone to feel joy.

One for everyone to feel alive.

Now I know this to be you and I hope you do too,

Because I see all of these qualities of you shine through.

Shining as bright as the sun for all to view.

A view as magnificent as you.

The little girls.

The youngest.

The “spoiled” one.

You may have fallen last in the list of siblings,

But you definitely are not last in life.

Integrity.

Charisma.

Dedication.

Three qualities I see fuel your fire,

Fire for your passion for education.

Education as value.

Education as a necessity.

You have the tools to let your fire run as far as you want to,

I believe in you.

You have the tools to educate the world,

I believe in you.

You have the drive to steer the system in the right direction,

I believe in you.

Always remember this to be true.

Never let anyone stop you,

Because not only do I believe in you, but you should too.

A beam of light shining through the thick clouds during a storm,

Hope.

A feeling of warmth during the coldest of nights,

Love.

A smile exchanged after the worst fight ever imagined,

Kindness and Compassion.

You are sunshine.

You are this light, warmth, and smile.

You are hope, love, kindness, and compassion.

One hope after the other crushed, but you strive to push on.

Perseverance.

One lie after the next, but you show them your very best without fear or fret.

Honesty.

One difference after another,

One race to another race,

One country to another country, but you find these qualities ways to learn and grow.

Acceptance.

You are sunshine.

You are perseverance, honesty, acceptance.

Everyone shines through the eyes of everyone else differently,

But the true question is what is sunshine for you?

Well, You are my sunshine.

Ms. Smith.

Daughter.

Wife.

Care taker.

Lover.

Fighter.

Believer.

Mom.

You take on many roles, but you must remember to stay true.

True to yourself based on whatever you choose.

You must decide what is right for you.

You deserve the love and dedication you exhale everyday,

Everyday upon ones deserving or not, but why?

Because that is just you.

You are strong.

You are worthy.

You are loving.

You are dedicated.

Not only are you dedicated to your students at school, but to your children from the womb.

Being willing to listen.

Being willing to make an effort toward progress.

Progress of acceptance for all in any subject, you choose.

This takes time, but no worries because you have patience too.

Motherhood drives you.

Mommy, Mom, Mama.

I also hear dependable, hard-working, caring.

You are truly a one of a kind mom,

Merry Christmas to you. I love you.

From sea to sea,

Galaxy to galaxy.

You find beauty.

Beauty for nature,

But also beauty for success.

Success not only when you’re killin’ it at Aerotek,

But for the deeper meaning.

To find truth.

To find progress.

Progress from individual to individual.

One greeting after the other.

People coming and going.

You are grounded.

You know what you want and you can get it.

This success you seek is there,

Now you must just seek and you shall find.

I’m hear to cheer at the finish line,

Because I already know you will continue to shine.

Shine in the eyes of not only me,

But everyone you see.

You are truly outstanding.

Dear Mr. Merritt,

So I got a few words to say.

I didn't know any other way.

Know that I got you on my mind.

As worried thoughts circulate my brain, feeling like I'm going insane.

Stop.

Rewind.

I pray it will all be okay. Because man to this day I can truthfully say you are one of the best people I know.

I look into your daughters eyes and see you. Someone with so much love and compassion.

You wear it on your sleeve like it's a fashion.

So dear Mr. Merritt,

Please know you are never alone and I would do anything to see you back at home.

Stay strong. I love you.