Emily
The first three months,
sitting in your office
eating candy from a ridiculous orange couch
I didn't know your name.
Then I couldn't imagine
how important to me you'd be.
You helped a small, quiet, shy girl,
who couldn't speak up in a loud room,
who didn't believe she was strong
enough to face the world.
You helped her grow into a person
you taught had a place in the world
that she was capable.
That I was capable
of having a life.
You helped me see
I can take on challenges,
I can pursue a career,
I'm worthy of appreciation and love
and I can find a place to belong.
You helped me in ways
you'll never knew.
And you weren't my teacher
or my mother
or my relative,
you were my mentor
turned friend.