I have met many people in my life. All of the people I have met have helped me become who I am. So, today, I want to thank you. This song is for you.

I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them…I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.

You have taught me so much. You have taught me resilience, strength, patience, love and understanding. You have molded me into a daughter/sister/wife who wants to take care of her family. You have molded me into a friend who encourages. You have molded me into a woman that has a mother’s passion to protect. You have molded me into a conqueror, a fighter, a survivor. Thank you.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better but because I knew you I have been changed for good.

I’ve never really considered my heart pure, or soft, or good. The only things I’ve really ever had passion for were basketball and football. Meeting you has allowed me to find that maybe my heart isn’t so dark. Or bad. Or heathenish. I have learned once I love I love deep. I can’t say my heart isn’t cold. Because sometimes, sometimes the things I say makes me wonder. But, I know I am passionate about taking care of people. My family, my friends, and the community. You have lit a fire under me to change the world. A little at a time I am. Thank you.

It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime…so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now, whatever way our stories end I know you have rewritten mine.

If I never see you again I know I am a better person for knowing you. The times we have shared, the memories (good and bad) we have made, the lessons we have learned together will help me steer the ship of my life. Whether you are here with me or not everything I have been through knowing you will help pave the decision process of what I do and don’t do in my life. I am better off knowing you because you’ve helped chisel off the hard exterior and helped purify the rubble that lay at my feet. Now, I have a story to tell, a worthwhile story. Thank you.

Who can say I’ve been changed for the better? I do believe I have been changed for the better. And because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

I believe people come into our lives – no matter the length – to make a difference in your life. You have the unique opportunity to make their stay in your life a positive or negative one. You also have the unique opportunity to allow them to be mainstays or just temporaries. I have chosen to learn from every encounter with you. Some of you are still in my life, some are close some are distant, and some of you I’ve not had contact with in forever, but you have helped me become who I am. Everything that has happened with you has changed me for good. Thank you. I am forever grateful to you for changing me for good.