Looking Upwards

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you all how much I really, really love you.

Each of you has helped me to become the person that I am today. Every single one of you has helped form me into this young woman that stands before the world, ready to take it all on. Each of you has strengthened me, nourished me, loved me. And I love you too.

There was a time when I wasn't sure I would live to see college. Hell, there was a time when I didn't WANT to live to see college. I was so, so broken. I was lonely, empty, and lost. There wasn't a single day that didn't go by where I didn't want to die. I felt pain in everything I encountered. Even with the assistance of prescription drugs and hospitalization, I could not have survived that year if I hadn't had such marvelous people there to support me through every single ache and every single smile.

I honestly cannot say I would have lived to see my graduation if it wasn't for every one of you.

You all mean so much to me. You make my days bright and my evenings pretty. You make me smile; you make me think; you make me try; you encourage me to do so many things I never would think I was capable of otherwise. You have opened my eyes to so many beautiful opportunities and experiences.

I owe so much to you, and all I can do is say that I love you, and that I hope that I am a fraction of the friend that you are for me.

And I love you all. Never, never forget that.