I am not the same as I was a few years ago. I am not the same as I was a few months ago. I am not the same as I was a few days ago. I am not the same as I was yesterday.
I am changed.
God is my rock. My foundation. He is the one who put these amazing people in my life, and He is the one who helps me learn from them.
But this… this is a thank you letter to everyone else who’s been a part of my change. Here we go:
My mom.
My dad.
My brother.
My youth pastor.
My pastor.
My grandparents and relatives.
My teachers.
My church’s worship team.
Camp Caswell.
(Following is the code-names of my friends, past and present, whom I also consider family.)
Peep.
Crackhead.
Finch.
Drummer Boy.
Mads.
Laces.
Cherry.
Savvy.
Blonde.
Grace.
M&M.
Whit 1.
Whit 2.
Ginger.
(And everyone who’s ever been my friend.)
(Following is a list of the pets who have really helped me through life.)
Peter.
Toby.
Perry.
Sunny.
Poe.
Linkin.
Wickham.
Pogo.
Mango.
Bump.
Puppet.
Hugo.
You’ve all been a part of my story, and you’ve all shaped me into the person I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am –or who I am– without you. I wouldn’t have iron-clad morals without you. I wouldn’t know right from wrong without you. I wouldn’t know what a real friend looks like without you. I wouldn’t have known what love looks like without you. I wouldn’t have learned how to protect myself, how to love others, or how to show the grace of God without you. Maybe if I didn’t have you, I would have learned it from someone else. But it wouldn’t be the same.
I’ve made some horrific mistakes and bad choices in my life. But really, I wouldn’t undo anything. Because it all led me to you. I have mostly my family (blood and initiates) and my church to thank here; you are the ones who’ve saved me from myself. You’re the ones that sacrificed for me, loved me, and showed me a better way.
And I wouldn’t want to live without you.
Thank you for all the love and kindness you have spared. All the smiles you have shared. And all the times you never-failingly cared.
It has made more of an impact on me than I can ever possibly say. Through our shared love for Christ and each other, you have saved my life.
Thank you.
♡, Shortie
