I commend you for persevering

Through the storms of living pay check to pay check

I love you for initiating the flow of compassion

That I pour into the life of those around me

Like grains of sand into plastic buckets.

I thank you for being my moon

That shown through my starry night

And for the prayers that flow

Like lyrics from your lips filling the heavens.

I appreciate you for being a lion and not a sheep

I love you for enduring the long nights

Listening to my crazy talk

And for hugging me with your inspirational words.

I applaud you for seeking after God

In all that you do

And for sharing a love

I know to be true between sisters.

When I was hopeless you stood hopeful

When I was like a dull nail

You stood as the heat to sharpen me.

When I was the tadpole in an over-sized pond

You stood as Elena

A friend I commend, appreciate

Love, thank, and applaud.

So flow like a virus

That flees from its host

And make your love contagious.

Thank you.