This is for the man who taught me not to lie.
Who taught me that just because my wings were clipped did not mean I could not fly.

This is for the boy who told me I was somebody.
Who told me I wasn’t just a thing, a pretty face, or a body.

This is for the people who have had their hearts torn out.
Who even though they couldn’t stop crying their fire never went out.

This is for the families who may never have it easy.
For the mothers watching their babies suffer while their stomachs churn and turn queasy.

For the people who have saved lives just by talking.
For the people who have worked for a cause just by walking.

For the children who had felt that death was the only option.
For every single baby that has been put up for adoption.

For the people who feel that light is the only answer.
For the people who have survived hurricanes, and tornadoes, and bombs, and bullet wounds, and cancer.

And for all of us out there who have ever lost a fight.
Whose courage has left and fled out of sight.

For all of those people who grew up way too fast.
While their souls were wretched and their dreams turned to ash.

For the girl who screamed and the boy who tried to save her.
For the bus that just could not stop and the dog who needed a savior.

For the people who have lost their way and never had any faith.
For every prayer in this world just begging to make them safe.

And for every hand that ever tried to pull a victim out of water.
For every insult that did not sting but simply made you stronger.

For every single fire, murder, death, rape, birth, and baptism we ever witnessed.
For every person that wrote, “let me survive one more year,” on their wish list.

This is for all us, ladies and gentlemen.
This is for all of us.